Date:  Monday, May 04, 2009

Contact: Joe Irwin, Hood Canal Bridge Communications, 253-305-6412
             Jamie Swift, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-4261

SHINE – WSDOT lifted the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge project to the next level today, reaching another milestone by removing the old east truss.

The aging structure, on the Kitsap County-side of the bridge, was successfully removed Monday, May 4. The D.B. General – the largest derrick barge on the West Coast – hoisted the nearly 1 million-pound section onto a barge. Due to its age and size, the old truss cannot be reused and will be salvaged by contractor Kiewit-General and recycled.

“It’s early in the project, but getting this truss removed on time helps keep us on track to reopen the bridge in six weeks as promised,” said project principal engineer Dave Ziegler.

Removing the old east truss allows WSDOT to quickly reposition the derrick barges on the Jefferson County side and proceed with operations to remove the west truss later this week.

Both bridge sections will be replaced later this month with new trusses that measure approximately 280-feet long, 70-feet wide and 40-feet tall. The new trusses feature tubular members – much like those used on offshore oil rigs – and are the only ones of their kind in Washington.

The new trusses are 30-feet wider than the existing sections, and will allow WSDOT to increase capacity on the bridge from two to four lanes in the future.

“These trusses truly show that we’re building a bridge for the long-term,” said Ziegler. “In the short-term, though, we’re hoping people are getting around during the closure.”

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; the free transit-connecting-bus services and the 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.

See the latest project photos at Flickr, read about construction updates on the Hood Canal Bridge blog or get more information at http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/. The Hood Canal Bridge retrofit and replacement – which is now 93 percent complete – will improve the existing east half, making it wider, safer and more reliable.

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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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