Starting in May 2009, the Hood Canal Bridge will be closed to traffic for six weeks. If you are traveling to or from the Olympic Peninsula during May-June 2009 you will need take an alternate driving route or another transportation option.
I will be traveling to the Olympic Peninsula
I will be traveling from the Olympic Peninsula
I want to know travel times for each of my options
Below are descriptions of the alternate driving routes for commuters and visitors:
Traveling to the Olympic Peninsula
The five alternative driving routes to the Olympic Peninsula during the six-week closure are listed below. WSDOT will be making temporary highway improvements during the closure in anticipation of increased traffic throughout Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson counties.
From Olympia: Take US 101 northbound along the western shore of Hood Canal.
From Tacoma and Bremerton: Take SR 16 from Tacoma, across the Narrows Bridge to its intersection with southbound SR 3 just south of Bremerton. Follow SR 3 to where is intersects with US 101 and follow US 101 northbound.
From Seattle: Take the Washington State ferry from Seattle to Bremerton, then follow the signs for SR 304 West until the turn off to southbound SR 3 just south of Bremerton. Take SR 3 to where it intersects with US 101, and follow US 101 northbound.
From North Puget Sound Area: Take the Washington State ferry from Keystone (on Whidbey Island north of Seattle) to Port Townsend.
From Olympia via Aberdeen/Hoquiam: Take US 101 northbound. This is a longer scenic route that includes the Pacific coastline and parts of Olympic National Park.
Traveling from the Olympic Peninsula
If you live or work on the Olympic Peninsula and need to travel during the May-June 2009 closure, the alternate driving routes from the Olympic Peninsula are:
To Olympia: Take US 101 southbound along Hood Canal to Olympia.
To Bremerton and Tacoma: Take US 101 southbound along Hood Canal to SR 3 at Shelton. Take SR 3 northbound through Belfair to its intersection with SR 16 eastbound to Tacoma.
To Seattle: Take US 101 southbound along Hood Canal to SR 3 at Shelton. Take SR 3 northbound through Belfair to Bremerton and follow the signs to the Washington State Ferry terminal in downtown Bremerton. Take the Washington State ferry to Seattle.
To North Puget Sound Area: Take the Washington State Ferry from Port Townsend to Keystone (on Whidbey Island north of Seattle).
To Olympia via Aberdeen/Hoquiam: Take US 101 southbound from Port Angeles to the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area, then head eastward on US 12 to its intersection with SR 8. Follow SR 8 to US 101 and follow US 101 in Olympia.
Another way to get around is by the water shuttle across Hood Canal and connecting transit services.
Two water shuttles will travel from South Point southwest of the bridge to Lofall south of the bridge. The water shuttles will operate during the six-week closure every 20 minutes from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. Transit connections to and from the water shuttles will also be provided throughout the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas.
There are additional, though less direct, routes from the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas via Washington State Ferries. Additionally, commercial ferries, airlines, and air charter services provide service to the Olympic Peninsula.
Estimated travel times (from MapQuest)
These times do not reflect travel times during peak drive times or time spent waiting to catch a ferry.
Seattle to Port Townsend
Drive up Interstate 5, ride the Mukilteo/Clinton Ferry, drive to Keystone, ride the Keystone/Port Townsend Ferry
Approximately 2 1/2 hours, 65 miles
Travel time on this route may have increased due to increased volumes during the closures.
Seattle to Port Townsend
Ride the Seattle/Bremerton ferry, drive around the Hood Canal by State Route 3 to US 101 to State Route 20
About 4 hours, 130 miles.
(approximately 2 hours and 75 more miles than the route over the bridge)
Seattle to Port Townsend via Olympia
Drive Interstate 5 south to US 101
About 3 1/2 hours, 160 miles.
Travel time on this route may increase due to increased volumes during the closures.
Seattle to Port Angeles is another 1 - 1 1/2 hours depending on your route.
WATER SHUTTLE & TRANSIT TIMES
Water shuttle crossing times between Lofall and South Point are expected to take about 15 minutes. Here are estimated transit times once the shuttles dock:
Kitsap Peninsula
- Lofall water shuttle dock to Port Gamble is about 10 minutes
- Port Gamble Park and Ride to Kingston Ferry is about 25 minutes
- Port Gamble Park and Ride to Bainbridge Island Ferry is about 35 minutes
- Port Gamble Park and Ride to Silverdale Transit Center is about 25 minutes
Olympic Peninsula
- Port Angeles to Shine Pit Park and Ride is about 80 minutes
- Port Townsend to South Point water shuttle dock is 40-60 minutes, depending on start in Port Townsend
There are additional, though less direct, routes from the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas via Washington State Ferries. Additionally, commercial ferries, airlines, and air charter services provide service to the Olympic Peninsula.