Date:  Monday, July 06, 2009

Contact:  Brenden Clarke, WSDOT Project Engineer, 360-874-3010 
               Jamie Swift, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-4261

BREMERTON – The State Route 304 Bremerton Tunnel opened tonight to off-loading ferry traffic for the first time. The first vehicles drove through the new tunnel about 6:30 p.m.

Now all vehicular traffic disembarking the Seattle/Bremerton ferry on the Bremerton side will be routed through the tunnel.
Before the tunnel opened to traffic for the 5:30 p.m. sailing from Seattle, the community celebrated. An estimated 2,000 Bremerton residents walked through the tunnel, as did the Washington Army National Guard Band and several dignitaries, including U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Gov. Chris Gregoire, Congressman Norm Dicks and Washington State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.

“With today’s opening, pedestrians and cars can enjoy and navigate Bremerton’s downtown in a much better way by removing congestion and improving safety in the heart of our city,” said Congressman Dicks, who sought the federal funds for the tunnel project.

The 2.5 million people who ride the Seattle to Bremerton ferry every year – as well as the increasing number of pedestrians in Bremerton’s waterfront business area – all benefit from this new tunnel.

“Norm Dicks deserves a lot of credit for his support of this project,” Hammond said. “It’s a testament to his commitment and vision of a livable Bremerton.”

View photos of the event on Flickr.

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