Welding repairs on Hood River-White Salmon bridge necessary but disruptive

Heavy traffic takes a regular toll on the 19.5-foot-wide structure, which was designed for Ford Model Ts and horse-drawn carriages when it replaced an earlier ferry between Hood River and White Salmon in 1924. The annual welding program mends stress cracks that accumulate in the bridge’s 604 individual steel grates (not counting the central lift-span).

This year’s welding program took place between May 4-8 and May 11-15, requiring daytime lane closures and long lines of backed-up traffic. The port deployed flaggers, warning signs and message boards, with dedicated radio channels and daily planning meetings to minimize disruption. Nevertheless, traffic delays led several drivers to attempt dangerous (and illegal) turn-arounds; the port cited violators, with fines ranging from $440-$2,000.

Rose described a new monitoring effort this year, with each steel section given a guardrail number to help track the longevity of individual welds. There are two types of repairs: “spider” welds to distribute stress over a larger area and reduce chances of later fractures, and traditional “spot” welds, which allow more flexibility under heavy traffic loads but may fracture more easily. Four welders from Bulldog Welding repaired 1,216 fractures on the southbound lane and 1,377 fractures northbound.

Going forward, the port will consider feasibility of night-time welding to reduce traffic delays (daytime work makes it easier to spot fractures). Rose also offered several other recommendations: Better signage for work zones, pilot vehicles for traffic control, and additional traffic coordination with Oregon and Washington transportation departments.