Date:  Tuesday, September 09, 2008

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

SHINE – The SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge closes to traffic four times this week, allowing WSDOT and contractors from Kiewit-General (K-G) to conduct surveying operations on the west-half pontoons.

Closures are scheduled from 2-2:30 p.m. and 3-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11 and from 1-1:30 p.m. and 2-2:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12. During the 30-minute closures WSDOT and K-G crews will test the bridge’s west draw span to ensure it will match up correctly with the new east-half draw span when it is installed in May-June 2009.

This week’s surveying will include ballasting work in which water will be added and/or removed to raise or lower the draw span pontoons. Water is used because it can easily be pumped in and out of the pontoons’ interior cells to create the ideal floatation levels and minimize effects on traffic. Once the proper floatation is achieved, the water will be replaced with pea gravel.

The draw span preparation work is another sign of progress on the Hood Canal Bridge Project, which is 84 percent complete.

The new east half of the bridge will be floated into place next spring, closing the bridge to traffic from May to June 2009. The completed bridge will be safer and more reliable. For more information, visit http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/.

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