SHINE – The Hood Canal Bridge will close to traffic four times this week, allowing the Department of Transportation and contractors from Kiewit-General (K-G) to conduct surveying operations on the west half pontoons.

Closures are scheduled from 2-2:30 p.m. and 3-3:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 and from 1-1:30 p.m. and 2-2:30 p.m. on Sept. 12.

During the 30-minute closures WSDOT and K-G crews will test the bridge’s west draw span to ensure it will match up correctly with the new east-half draw span when it is installed in May-June 2009.

The draw span preparation work is another sign of progress on the Hood Canal Bridge Project, which is 84 percent complete.

The new east half of the bridge will be floated into place next spring, closing the bridge to traffic from May to June 2009. For more information, visit www.HoodCanalBridge.com.