Date:  Friday, April 17, 2009

Contact: Joe Irwin, Hood Canal Bridge Communications, 253-305-6412
            Becky Hixson, Hood Canal Bridge Communications, 253-305-6450

Six-week closure begins in just two weeks

SHINE – In just two weeks, the way people travel to and from the Olympic Peninsula will temporarily change. The SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge closes for approximately six weeks May 1. WSDOT wants to remind drivers that the Olympic Peninsula will remain open for business, even though the trip there will take a little longer.

WSDOT has developed resources, including a hotline (1-877-595-4222) and a Web site (http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/), to help travelers know their travel options, The Web site now features videos on how to get around, transit schedules and an interactive online map to plan trips to and from the peninsula.

“People using these resources to plan ahead can determine which of the transportation options make the most sense for them,” said Dave Ziegler, principal engineer for the project. “Traveling to and from the peninsula won’t be easy, but we hope people will be patient and are reassured by the fact that in about six weeks they’ll have a wider, safer, more reliable bridge.”

Transportation options include:

• A fare-free, passenger-only water shuttle between Jefferson and Kitsap counties with fare-free transit connections, and nearby park and rides
• A Sunday through Thursday reservation-based car ferry between Port Townsend and Edmonds to assist freight haulers and drivers
• A fare-free, reservation-based medical bus service that will transport people to and from the Olympic Peninsula, Kitsap County and Seattle
• Driving around on US 101 and SR 3
• Ridesharing
• Booking flights on local airlines, and rides on buses and boats

WSDOT is helping travelers “know before they go” by regularly updating its Web site, blog and project information line 1-877-595-4222, sending regular e-mail updates, and providing the latest views of the highways via traffic cameras. Drivers can get up-to-the-minute information on incidents that affect traffic by calling 511, listening to WSDOT’s highway advisory radio, getting text message updates, or viewing signs along the highway.

The Hood Canal Bridge retrofit and replacement is now 91 percent complete. For more information, visit http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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