Date:  Thursday, July 31, 2008

Contact: Joe Irwin, WSDOT Communications, 253-305-6412
             Becky Hixson, WSDOT Communications 253-305-6450

SHINE – “Safety is my job” is more than a statement at WSDOT. It’s a promise to drivers across the state. Keeping this promise in mind, WSDOT will conduct annual inspections of the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Aug. 4-7 and Aug. 11-13.

Drivers are advised that the routine mechanical and electrical inspections on the bridge’s draw span will result in bridge closures lasting up to 30 minutes. The work is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4 through Thursday, Aug. 7, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11 through Wednesday, Aug. 13.

The Hood Canal Bridge is inspected each year for mechanical and electrical operations by WSDOT’s bridge preservation office. Structural inspections are also done annually. In addition, a full-time maintenance crew on the Hood Canal Bridge monitors the bridge’s structure, ensures pontoons are watertight, and keeps the bridge operational for drivers.

Testing the bridge’s draw span is important to maintain reliability for drivers and the marine vessels that travel through Hood Canal. The project to replace the bridge’s east half, including the draw span, will be complete in June 2009. To learn more about this project, visit http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/.

Drivers can call 5-1-1 or visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/ for road and traffic updates and www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/olympic/construction to learn more about weekly construction and maintenance activities.

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