February 18, 2005
BRIDGE CLOSURES COMING IN LATE SUMMER 2005
The SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge construction project continues at the bridge site. In addition to ongoing west-end deck widening, which will include regular traffic impacts, the contractor will build new approach span roadways next to the existing roadway this summer 2005. Staging the work in this manner reduced the bridge closure time from about a year to just two long weekends.
During two three-day closures - one closure for each bridge end - the contractor will place the existing approach span on rollers; roll that existing span onto temporary falsework; and roll the new wider roadway into place. The closures currently are scheduled to take place in the late summer 2005, most likely in August.
Based on the contractor's latest schedule update, the Kitsap County side closure would starting Friday, Aug. 5 at 8 and re-open Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 5 a.m. The Jefferson County side would close starting Friday, Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. and re-open Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 5 a.m. A previous schedule indicated that the closures would include one in August and one in September. As this event is still six months away, the closure dates are still subject to change. The contractor is required to provide notice six weeks prior to the bridge closures. That means WSDOT won't have a definitive closure schedule until approximately June.
Project staff will work over the coming months with not only tourism and business interests, but with community groups and the Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (members include a broad cross-section of community leaders and interests who are focused on transportation issues on the peninsula) to publicize the weekend closures.
In 2004, crews completed widening a portion of the bridge's west half, installing electrical mechanical systems and beginning construction of new approach spans. In 2005, motorists will see additional west-half widening and work on the bridge approaches.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS
For the week of Feb. 22-25, the contractor has planned single-lane closures, Monday through Friday nights from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. The work is part of constructing the new support structures under the bridge's approach spans.
DID YOU KNOW?
Travelers whose trip purpose was travel to or from work make up 33 percent of weekday traffic using the Hood Canal Bridge. Of the 33 percent, 30 percent use the bridge five or more times per week in the direction identified, and 13 percent say they are unable or unwilling to reschedule their travel if the bridge closes. Leisure travelers comprise 61 percent of all traffic volume over the bridge on weekends. The majority of these travelers (64%) use the bridge once a week or less, and 36 percent are willing to reschedule their travel if the bridge is closed. (source: 1998 "Origin and Destination Study". WSDOT surveyed Hood Canal Bridge users to determine trip patterns, frequency, and purpose.)
Hood Canal Bridge News is prepared monthly by the Washington State Department of Transportation as a service to those interested in the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge retrofit and replacement project. If you have any comments on Hood Canal Bridge News or would like more information contact Lloyd Brown, communication manager, at (360) 357-2789 or via E-mail: brownl@wsdot.wa.gov.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: Persons with disabilities may request this information be prepared and supplied in alternate formats by calling the Washington State Department of Transportation ADA Accommodation Hotline collect (206) 389-2839. Persons with hearing impairments may access Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service at TTY 1-800-833-6388, Tele-Braille 1-800-833-6385, Voice 1-800-833-6384, and ask to be connected to (360) 705-7097.