‘Pivotal moment’ for bridge

THE GORGE — It took four long years of waiting, but federal review to replace the antiquated Hood River Bridge finally concluded this week with issuance of a “Record of Decision,” as announced in a press release from the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority.

“This is a pivotal moment for our region,” said Parkdale resident Mike Fox, who co-chairs the bridge authority with Husum resident Jacob Anderson. “The Record of Decision affirms years of environmental review, public engagement, tribal partnership and bi-state collaboration. It allows us to move forward with confidence toward a safer, more resilient, and more accessible crossing.”

“This bridge is our lifeline across the Columbia River,” Anderson said. “The need for replacement is urgent, and the Record of Decision is the green light that lets us take the next step toward a safer, more reliable crossing.”

The process began even before the bridge authority came into existence, when the Port of Hood River decided costs of maintaining the current bridge would be unsustainable. Opened on Dec. 6, 1924, the span does not meet modern safety or seismic standards. Failure would shut down river navigation and sever a vital bi-state transportation link.

But before construction could start, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) required assessment of environmental and cultural impacts, mitigation measures such as a stormwater collection system on the new bridge, and replacement options.

It’s all now detailed in an “Environmental Impact Statement” (EIS) posted this week to the bridge authority’s website. As noted in the media release, the record of decision is the essential step for release of federal funding, final design and engineering, permits, rights-of-way agreements and construction contracts.

But the bridge authority, a bi-state entity created in 2023, hasn’t been idle while awaiting the decision. Using a mix of state and federal funds as well existing bridge toll revenues, the authority approved an engineering contract in July with Kiewit Infrastructure West to design the new structure, which is scheduled to open in 2031. Infrastructure firm HNTB is the bridge authority’s “owner’s representative,” with project manager Mike Shannon leading day-to-day work.

And, to meet the budgeted $1.12 billion replacement cost, crucial fundraising has continued throughout the waiting period:

• $200 million federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant awarded in January 2024

• $125 million commitments each from Oregon and Washington states

• $105 million toll-backed federal loan through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA)

• $532 million requested through the federal Bridge Investment Program, pending in two federal fiscal cycles.

With funding secured, construction would start in 2027. The new bridge, located immediately downstream of the current structure, will have wider lanes and a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian lane. It will remove a marine navigational challenge by creating a 450-foot wide passage between support piers; the current passage is only 246 feet wide. With engineering now under way and 60% design due by summer 2026, the bridge authority will soon be publishing final renderings of the structure, which will significantly revise a preliminary concept posted on the bridge authority’s website.

For more information, visit www.hoodriverbridge.org.