Date:  Tuesday, April 14, 2009

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

WSDOT discusses Kitsap bus changes during online webinar April 15

TACOMA – Travelers planning to use the water shuttle and transit option to get around during the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge closure have two more reasons to visit http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/ this week.

WSDOT released its final transit schedules for Starline Transportation, providing riders with the times and stops in Kitsap County they can use when the bridge closes for approximately six weeks beginning May 1. Visit the online interactive transit map at the project Web site to view the schedules.

To assist travelers further, and answer any questions about the new schedules, WSDOT is hosting an online webinar from 11 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, April 15. A webinar is a seminar transmitted on the Web.

“We’ve revised the Kitsap bus schedules to better coordinate them with Washington State Ferries runs,” said Dave Ziegler, Hood Canal Bridge principal engineer. “We’ve had a number of questions about the changes and our intent is to provide answers during the webinar.”

Visit the home page at http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/ to sign up for the webinar. The webinar is limited to 1,000 participants.

“The webinar will help people get ready for the closure,” Ziegler said. “The closure won’t be easy, but if people know their transportation options they can plan ahead.”

The May-June closure will be challenging for travelers, but the Olympic Peninsula will be open for business. WSDOT encourages people to get ready now by reviewing their transportation choices. “Get around” options include crossing the canal via 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.

The Hood Canal Bridge retrofit and replacement is now at 91 percent complete. The project will improve the existing east half, making it wider, safer and more reliable. For more information, visit http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/.

                                                # # #

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.

< Back to News Home