SHINE — The Hood Canal Bridge is getting cable — not cable TV, but a new, three-inch steel anchor cable that helps to hold the aging floating bridge in place.
“We hope to have a contractor on board by the end of the week, and have the cable replaced by Sept. 10,” said Lloyd Brown, the state Department of Transportation’s Olympic Region communication manager, on Monday.
The cable is one of dozens holding the world’s longest saltwater floating bridge in place against heavy side winds and tidal fluctuations of up to 16.5 feet.
One of the braided steel cables was found hanging slack Aug. 11 during a regular bridge inspection near the center drawspan.
Since then, divers and a remote-operated submersible have been inspecting the cable beneath the water’s surface.