No long weekend closures for Hood Canal Bridge repairs

New schedule has nighttime closures in May, June, September

By Staff report • April 12, 2023 1:30 am
Work on the Hood Canal Bridge has been changed to avoid closures during peak summer times. File Photo
Work on the Hood Canal Bridge has been changed to avoid closures during peak summer times. File Photo

There is good news to share for the 18,000 daily travelers who use the Highway 104 Hood Canal Bridge as repairs to the floating bridge linking Jefferson and Kitsap counties will no longer require closing it for four weekends during the peak summer season.

Instead, the repair work will occur at night in May, June and September, per a state Department of Transportation news release. “The new dates strike the best balance between securing critical materials needed to make repairs to the bridge and installing those materials during calm weather when traffic volumes are lower,” said MaryLou Shannon, assistant region administrator of construction for WSDOT.

Instead of four weekend closures, WSDOT will separate the work into three phases. While that will result in more overnight closures, it also allows the contractor to begin repairs in late spring—when weather conditions are typically more favorable—and keeps the closures more manageable for residents and visitors alike, the release states.

The work in May and June will focus on restoring the pyramids that help guide the two halves of the bridge together. The repairs will require the use of boats and cranes in the water with the draw span open. Emergency-response access across the bridge will not be available during those overnight closures.

In September, workers will update the mechanism that securely connects both halves of the bridge and install new shock absorbers. Work on those weather-sensitive systems won’t begin until Sept. 10, and may include weekday and weekend nighttime closures. WSDOT will announce the dates and times for that work this summer.

The bridge sits in a salty, corrosive environment and needs continual maintenance and construction, per the release. The project is necessary to ensure the bridge can continue to operate, serving vehicle and marine traffic. The work requires calm weather, so dates are subject to change.

Schedule

May 13-17

10 p.m. May 13 to 10 a.m. May 14

11 p.m. each day May 15-17 to 4 a.m. each day, ending May 18

May 20-24

10 p.m. May 20 to 10 a.m. May 21

11 p.m. each day May 22-24 to 4 a.m. each day, ending May 25

June 10-14

10 p.m. June 10 to 10 a.m. June 11

11 p.m. each day June 12-14 to 4 a.m. each day, until June 15

June 17-21

10 p.m. June 17 to 10 a.m. June 18

11 p.m. each day June 19-21 to 4 a.m. each day, until June 22