The state Department of Transportation will receive over $51 million in federal funds to repair parts of the Hood Canal Bridge, with work set to start next year.

The grant is provided to nationally and regionally significant transportation projects to improve the country’s freight network, a news release states.

The project will replace over 3,400 linear feet of the western half of the bridge including 55 reinforced concrete crossbeams and 216 prestressed concrete girder lines and the placement of nearly 4,800 cubic yards of concrete. Preliminary design work is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with project completion scheduled for June 2027. The project’s budget is $85.2 million.

With more than 30,000 crossings a day, newly re-elected U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington says: “Without this bridge, drivers would need to take a 100-mile detour around Puget Sound. And if the bridge’s retractable span were to fail, submarines and other vessels would be cut off from Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor. This bridge is critical to the quality of life for residents and our national security.”

As the longest floating bridge in the world over saltwater, the structure sits in a harsh marine environment that’s deteriorated its condition over the past 40 years. Vehicles are weight-restricted at 17,000 pounds per axle or less. If the bridge’s condition goes unaddressed, further deterioration and restrictions would have severe impacts on commerce and the livelihood of those who depend on the bridge every day, per the release.

Outgoing U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of the 6th District said: “This federal funding is a major step toward improving the safety and reliability of the bridge, helping ensure that it will remain open, accessible and resilient for years to come. And with federal support it means this project can move forward without the costs falling solely on the backs of taxpayers in our state. That’s a win-win.”