Communication is vital to the overall success of the Hood Canal Bridge Project, and something WSDOT continually strives to improve.
WSDOT understands the importance of the bridge and the need for information prior to and during the bridge's closure in May-June 2009. We strive to inform the public and policy makers and engage everyone in the project as it progresses.
WSDOT appreciates the public's interest in the project and realizes that our relationships with businesses, schools, local officials and community groups in the region are key to successful project communication efforts.
How WSDOT will communicate during the project:
Get information to residents and businesses
Gather public input
Getting information to residents and businesses
News
To stay up-to-date on project information, community members can sign up for the Hood Canal Bridge e-mail updates list. E-mails are sent on a periodic basis with topics ranging from public events to bridge maintenance closures to construction updates to closure information.
The News section on the Web site also has the latest press releases and fact sheets with specific project information.
Construction Progress
Communicating the project's construction progress in the six main work areas helps everyone involved understand the project. We regularly hand out printed materials to the community detailing different parts of the project, and bring displays with project information to community venues. Updated information from all of the construction sites is communicated in monthly reports, site tour presentations and community presentations.
Monthly Reports
The communications team of the Hood Canal Bridge project office prepares and distributes a monthly status report. This report contains:
- feature article about construction methods or materials
- timeline of the project including updates on each work area
- project schedule with the percent of work completed
- budget/expenditure information
- feature article about a Hood Canal Bridge project team member
Construction Site Tours
Tours are a great way for bridge stakeholders to see the construction progress and to familiarize themselves with the project. We provide safe and reasonable access to interested citizens while maintaining a safe environment for project workers. Tours are available on a limited basis, and are conducted in small groups (12 or less participants). Larger groups should contact the Hood Canal Bridge office for special arrangements. Reservations must be made at least two weeks before your tour by calling or e-mailing.
Tour participants must be adults aged 18 or older. Minors 15 years or older must be accompanied be a responsible adult and have written permission from a parent or guardian. All participants are required to sign liability waivers prior to entering the construction site.
Safety is the most important consideration. All tour participants will be provided with all necessary safety gear. All tour participants must wear clothing appropriate for a construction site. This includes over-the-ankle boots, long pants and other weather-appropriate clothing. Participants who are not dressed appropriately or who are without personal protective equipment will not be allowed on the tour.
To schedule a tour, please call (253) 305-6428 or e-mail the Hood Canal Bridge office.
Community Presentations
The Hood Canal Bridge project communications team is available to give presentations to both public organization and private parties. This is an opportunity for citizens to ask questions or voice any concerns. To schedule a WSDOT project update for your group or organization, contact the Hood Canal Bridge Project Office at (253) 305-6412.
2009 Closure Mitigation
When WSDOT determined that the Hood Canal Bridge east-half would need to be replaced, we also decided that a complete plan to help drivers during the resulting six-week closure would be necessary.
In 1997, community outreach began to determine public opinion about how to lessen the effects of the six week closure in 2009. This data is being used to plan and prepare drivers for the closure – to learn more, check out the closure mitigation plan.
WSDOT is now working with local elected officials, transit agencies, Washington State Ferries, local health care and emergency services organizations and economic development groups on the design phase of closure mitigation. In addition, valuable information is being shared in these groups for public outreach opportunities. Currently the Hood Canal Bridge team is sharing closure mitigation information at presentations, tours and through 2009 Closure pages on this Web site.
Gathering public input
Community and driver interests are always top priority for outreach. All year at community presentations, site tours and community meetings we talk with groups about the work going on at the bridge and the other construction sites. From this, we gather useful feedback for future outreach efforts.
Hearing from community members and drivers help the project team meet the needs of citizens for this important project. Periodic opinion surveys are a useful, accurate way to determine how bridges users and communities feel about the work on the bridge and how they want to be informed.
Public Opinion Research
Public opinion research is an important component of any effective public outreach program. With a baseline survey of public opinion, the best strategies can be determined for targeting community needs. Regular updates to the survey will serve as a road map for communication efforts.
In 2001, WSDOT conducted a survey to determine public demand for four alternate transportation options that could be used during the Hood Canal Bridge six-week closure. Approximately 22,000 surveys were mailed to bridge users and an on-line survey was posted on the WSDOT Web page. Here are the results of that survey... (PDF, 233 KB)
A 2003 public opinion survey (PDF, 189 KB) was conducted to understand attitudes and knowledge about the bridge project and the best way to communicate to drivers about the bridge.
Two, three-day bridge closures were required to replace the approach spans at both ends of the bridge in the summer of 2005. In the spring, we asked bridge users when the closures would best work for their schedule. Here are the results of that survey... (PDF, 868 KB)
Contact Us
For more information about 2009 Closure Public Outreach contact:
orfeedback@wsdot.wa.gov or (253) 305-6400.