‘A lot of good news’ despite funding setback

HOOD RIVER — An apparent funding setback last week in the yearslong bridge replacement effort might turn out alright after all. 

While the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) funded projects totaling about $700 million in Alaska and Delaware, it did not grant the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority’s $532 million request.

“Even though we weren’t selected in this round, there is a lot of good news here,” said Grant Polson, who co-chairs the commission. “These awards show that USDOT is working to get funding out to projects. With only two awarded in the FY25 round, that leaves more than $3 billion available. And we know our FY26 application scored even higher under the new administration’s criteria.”

The Alaska and Delaware awards are for the 2025 federal fiscal cycle, drawn from a congressional appropriation of $4 billion. That’s what remains from an original appropriation of $9.7 billion when Congress created the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) in 2021.

The bridge authority submitted two BIP funding requests, one for FY25 and a second version for FY26, each for $532 million. (If the first request had been awarded, the second would have been withdrawn.)

Federal grant proposals are tailored to policies of presidential administrations. Points are awarded according to how closely applications meet criteria. The 2025 BIP proposal addressed funding priorities issued under the Biden administration in 2024. The Trump administration changed those priorities when it issued the 2026 funding announcement.

“When the criteria changed, we took a fresh look at the project through that lens,” explained Michael Shannon, project director. “That process only strengthened our application and reinforced how well this project aligns with what USDOT is looking for.”

For instance, the 2026 application required a cost-benefit analysis to justify the federal investment. Thus, the bridge authority emphasized the economic necessity of replacing the current bridge when it re-wrote its application.

“Our project is competitive because it’s critically important, on track, and broadly supported,” Polson added. “Environmental review is complete, final design is underway, significant funding is already committed, and the economic case is strong. This crossing a crucial link for our region’s families, businesses, and emergency services, and that’s exactly what the Bridge Investment Program is designed to fund.”

At the end of the day, bridge replacement depends heavily on that second funding announcement, anticipated perhaps as early as this summer. A separate, $200 million federal infrastructure grant has already been awarded, as well as an $8 million congressional appropriation. Formal contracts are pending on those two federal sources. Another $250 million is secured and available from Oregon and Washington.

•••

Our journalism needs your support. Become a subscriber today at columbiagorgenews.com; click subscribe.