SHINE — The reopening of the Hood Canal Bridge to boats, which was expected Thursday, has been postponed to today — and then only on a limited basis, even though the problem appears to be minor.
Engineers determined Thursday why the draw span snapped shut too quickly Monday, causing superficial damage to the bridge.
“We were able to identify the problem, determine it was very minor, and we’ll have the bridge operational Friday,” said Jeff Cook, Hood Canal Bridge project engineer for the state Department of Transportation, on Thursday.
“However, we need to continue to fine-tune the new equipment, so there may be times over the next several days when we won’t be able to open for marine traffic.”
The problem has not disrupted vehicular traffic over the bridge.
The bridge’s closure did not affect submarine traffic south on Hood Canal to Naval Sub Base Bangor in Kitsap County, said Lt. Kellie Randall, Navy spokeswoman for Submarine Group 9.
The only submarine that could have been affected left the base on Monday morning before the bridge drawspan malfunction occurred, Randall said. No submarines were left waiting, she said.
Randall said Bangor is home to eight nuclear-missile Trident submarines, two Tridents that have been converted to conventional missiles, and a spy sub.
Crews at the bridge identified the source of the acceleration issue as a component called a tachometer board. A new component was being installed Thursday.
Major upgrades on the floating bridge were completed in June during replacement of the structure’s east half, but crews are scheduled to work until the end of the year to finish some electrical, hydraulic and mechanical improvements to the bridge’s west half as well.
The bridge’s westside draw span was already out of service until about Oct. 1. Each draw span opens 300 feet. One or both of them can be opened, depending on the size of the boat passing through, bridge officials said.
Submarines cruise on the surface when passing through the bridge, which is a safety requirements.
Hood Canal is 340 feet deep in the middle. The submarines are about 80 feet tall, counting their sails.
When the bridge is stuck closed to marine traffic, Randall said, “We work with DOT to mitigate such situation. They work with our operations folks there and at Naval Support Command to make sure we are aware and they are aware what we are doing.
“When it is going to be down for awhile, we work with them.”
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.