Date:  Sunday, March 21, 2010

Contact:
Jeff Cook, project manager, 253-383-9622
Lisa Copeland, region communications manager, 360-790-1383

SHINE –WSDOT and contractor Kiewit-General (K-G) successfully completed the final draw span tests earlier today, ending almost daily project-related openings that began in October 2009.

“The residents of the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas have been nothing short of amazing during this project,” said Kevin Dayton, WSDOT region administrator. “Their patience and understanding is deeply appreciated by WSDOT. We’d like to thank everyone who uses the bridge for staying positive through the project and keeping the goal of a wider, safer, more reliable bridge in sight.”

The Hood Canal Bridge draw spans will still open for marine vessels and during adverse weather.

The bridge’s entire east half and east and west trusses were replaced in May-June 2009.

The hydraulic, mechanical and electrical systems on the west half were then retrofitted to match those on the new east pontoons. Retrofit work, which included ballast testing and bridge-wide system updates, culminated in functional and draw span tests that put the entire project within arm’s reach of completion.

“A handful of minor work items remain,” Dayton said, “but for drivers who rely on the bridge daily, the project as they have known it for the past several months is pretty much over.”

Punch list work is expected to continue for about two weeks, after which the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Retrofit and Replacement Project will officially be complete.

In May, crews from WSDOT’s Bridge Preservation Office will conduct federally-required annual inspections on the Hood Canal Bridge. The inspections, which include a total review of all systems, are standard for all moveable bridges in Washington and will require approximately three weeks of short-duration daytime and nighttime openings.

For project information visit, www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr104hoodcanalbridgeeast/.

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