Peninsula: What will happen when Hood Canal Bridge is closed in 2006?

PORT TOWNSEND — More than 15,000 vehicles cross the Hood Canal Bridge every day.

That number jumps to nearly 20,000 cars, trucks, semitrailers, RVs and motorcycles during weekends.

Two-fifths of those vehicles come from Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, Port Hadlock, Irondale, Chimacum and Port Ludlow.

They go to Poulsbo, Kingston, Bremerton and Port Orchard.

That data comes from the Hood Canal Bridge Origin and Destination Survey, completed in 1998.

The information is slowly turning into policy directives that will shape alternatives for when the eastern half of the bridge is replaced in the spring or summer of 2006.

The replacement will require the bridge to be closed for about eight weeks.

The 40-year-old eastern half of the bridge is tired and crumbling. It’s older than the western half, most of which the state replaced after a windstorm took it out in 1979.

The $200 million reconstruction project begins officially in 2003, but planning is already underway now.

Transportation planning

The Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization — comprised of elected officials and administrative staff from throughout the Kitsap, Quimper and Olympic peninsulas — has settled on 11 preferred options for getting people across the water during the two-month closure.

This full report appears in the Sunday Peninsula Daily News, on sale throughout Clallam and Jefferson counties. Click on “Subscribe” to get your PDN delivered to your home or office.

More in News

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her father, Jack Ward of Port Angeles, works on his own paddle during a craft-making session on Friday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center in Port Angeles. The paddles are among the thousands of gifts being created for participants in the 2025 Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted this year by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The event begins with the landing of dozens of native canoes at the mouth of the Elwha River on July 31 and continues with five days of celebration on the Lower Elwha reservation west of Port Angeles. As many as 10,000 indigenous peoples are expected to take part. The public is invited to help with giftmaking sessions, scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Canoe paddle crafts

June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her… Continue reading

Ralph Henry Keil and Ginny Grimm.
Long lost sailor to be honored at graduation

An honorary diploma will be presented to the family of… Continue reading

Singers to workshop vocal instruments at Fort Worden

One hundred and fifty singers to join together in song

Jefferson County fire danger risk level to move to high

Designation will prohibit fireworks over Fourth of July weekend

Candidate forums to be presented next week

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County and… Continue reading

Port Townsend City Council candidate forum set for next month

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will… Continue reading

Jefferson County to host series of community conversations

Jefferson County will conduct a series of Community Conversations… Continue reading

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the Sequim Botanical Garden at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park at Carrie Blake Park on Wednesday in Sequim. Thornton, a volunteer gardener, was taking part in a work party to maintain the beauty of the garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rose display

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the… Continue reading

Electric rates see big increase

Jefferson proposal approved for 4-year hike

Clallam Transit to receive $4M in grants

Agency to use funds on Strait Shot and other routes

Port Angeles council OKs sidewalk near park

Applicants to receive grant funding for one-third of total cost