Date:  Thursday, May 07, 2009

Contact: Jamie Swift, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-4261

SHINE – Another piece of the Hood Canal Bridge headed out of town Thursday afternoon as crews continue work to replace half of the longest floating bridge over salt water in the world.

Anchors that held Hood Canal Bridge pontoons in place were detached, allowing three tug boats to remove the 929-foot-long draw span assembly from the bridge. Motorists who drive the bridge know this section well because it has the “bulge.”

The tugs worked in harmony, and used the tide to their advantage, as they pulled the aging pontoon section away from the waterway that had been its resting place for nearly five decades.

Tugs will escort the old draw span assembly – which is about as long as three football fields – to Sidney, B.C., where it will be used as a part of a pier for a new marina.

On Friday, May 1, the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge closed to all traffic for six weeks so crews could replace the east half of the bridge.

The six-week closure will be challenging for travelers. WSDOT encourages people to review their transportation options to determine the best route. “Get around” options include crossing the canal on a water shuttle; free transit-connecting-bus services and park and ride lots; taking the Port Townsend/Edmonds evening ferry or the Port Townsend/Keystone ferry; flying from Port Angeles to Seattle; driving around on alternate routes; or utilizing private boat services.

Get more information about transportation options, including water shuttle and transit schedules, at http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/ or by calling 1-877-595-4222.

The Hood Canal Bridge retrofit and replacement will improve the existing east half, making it wider, safer and more reliable.

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