Anonymous asked us to post this:
Question to WDOT:
If I recall, it was 1994 that WDOT began studies to see about replacing the Hood River Bridge which crosses from White Salmon Highway 14 to Hood River, Oregon I-84. What happened to the plans to replace the bridge? In the past couple of years, the Port of Hood River, which owns the bridge built in 1928, has slapped a new deck on it, a layer of new paint and lets everyone cross it say a prayer that they will make it across.It seems as though the plans you had to replace it went into a back file when you began plans to build a new bridge between Portland and Vancouver. I want to know what happened to plans for our bridge replacement.
WDOT Answer:
My name is Karyn Anderson and I've been forwarded your email in hopes that I can provide you with some information. You are correct, there was a study completed on SR-35 Hood River Bridge.The study that I'm referencing was called the SR 35 Columbia River Crossing Project. Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council(RTC), the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) proposed to build a new bridge that would cross the Columbia River between Hood River, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington. Three alternative alignments were under consideration during this Draft Environmental Impact Statement study(DEIS). The SR-35 Columbia River Crossing project also received an earmark to complete an Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). RTC is currently working to organize meetings and get discussions started regarding the SR-35 Columbia River Crossing FEIS and how best to move forward. These meetings will include local agencies and state departments of transportation from both Oregon and Washington. I've included RTC's website in which you can obtain an electronic copy of the earlier study findings. http://rtc.wa.gov/Studies/SR35/ I've also placed a phone call to Dale Robins (RTC) who was involved on the earlier study and he is available to help answer any questions. You can reach Dale at the above email address or if you prefer you can call him at (360) 397-6067. I've also included my contact information below as well. Thank you and I hope this information is helpful, Karyn Anderson Southwest Region WSDOT Box 1709 Vancouver, WA 98668-1709 Phone (360) 905-2080; Fax (360) 905-2098 andersonk@wsdot.wa.gov<mailto:andersonk@wsdot.wa.gov>
2 comments:
I would bet a lot of people say a prayer before they go over the Hood River Bridge! All commuters are leery of traveling on that bridge, particularly when meeting log trucks, motorhomes etc. A few years back in a strong windstorm, the Umatilla bridge collapsed. So, it can happen! We need to make sure dust doesn't collect on the plans for a new bridge because we know as slow as the Feds go, it will be 10 more years before we have a new completed bridge unless it collapses under a few unfortunate people first. The bridge at the mouth of the Columbia River is now without any fare because it isn't owned by the Port but by the state and federal governments (WA and OR share the cost of repairs). We need a similar situation for our location that will eventually take the fare off and allow for freeflow of commerce between Hood River and White Salmon-Bingen communities.
I agree whole heartedly with what you say. I just wonder if the port of H.R. lobbies against a new state owned bridge because this old one has been a windfall for them. As far as I'm concerned their new paint, decking etc does nothing for the old underpining. I feel evrything they have done is all cosmetics trying to calm our fears.
Blue Bell
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