Peninsula marketing consortium today discusses pending closures of Hood Canal Bridge

The Olympic Peninsula Joint Marketing Committee, a consortium of chambers of commerce and tourism groups, meets today to discuss proposed Hood Canal Bridge closure dates during the peak tourist season.

The meeting convenes at 11:30 a.m. at Petals Garden Cafe, 1345 S. Sequim Ave.

State transportation officials say two 78-hour weekend closures are necessary to finish roadwork on the floating bridge prior to the east-half replacement.

Transportation has proposed Aug. 5-7 and Sept. 9-11 as traffic closure dates. The Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce has proposed alternative closure dates of Aug. 26-28 and Sept. 23-25 because they conflict with fewer Peninsula events.