Legislators cut funding for the Bridge of the Gods project during a recent session. Port of Cascade Locks staff is hopeful it will receive funding for seismic improvements in the February session.
Legislators cut funding for the Bridge of the Gods project during a recent session. Port of Cascade Locks staff is hopeful it will receive funding for seismic improvements in the February session.
CASCADE LOCKS — Port of Cascade Locks staff is gearing up for upcoming legislative sessions as it relates to funding for the Bridge of the Gods seismic improvements.
The port’s project is a $12 million project. Port Government Relations Consultant Mark Johnson said they are asking for $6 million from Oregon and $6 million from Washington for seismic upgrades. The project would include a structural analysis and plans for a pedestrian lane. The Bridge of the Gods is part of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Johnson said Washington state transportation committee members toured bridges along the river from Astoria to the Dalles. They stopped in Hood River to hear more information on the bridges, specifically the proposed Hood River Bridge replacement.
Legislators cut funding for the Bridge of the Gods project during the June legislative session. Hood River did receive funds for its bridge replacement project; those funds will come from lottery bond sales.
But Johnson is optimistic for the port’s project in the upcoming February session. He has talked to representatives, including Rep. Susan McClain, D-District 29, who will serve as a co-chairman of the transportation committee.
The February session is a shorter session, Johnson said, and members don’t get to introduce as many bills. Through his discussions with representatives in Salem, it is possible that a committee bill could include funding for the Bridge of the Gods project funding. He indicated that it was likely they will use the same language from the failed bid in the committee bill.
“I feel good,” Johnson said. “There is a lot of support.”
One benefit of this route, he said, is that the funding could be available at the same time as Hood River. The funding for Hood River’s project comes from lottery bond sales that will happen in 2024.
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