The reopening of the Hood Canal Bridge, the canal’s only over-water span, is just days away, but major work remains before thousands of commuters can return to their normal schedules.

Draw span testing on the Hood Canal Bridge will start about 11 a.m. today and run for 8-10 hours, assuring the bridge is ready to reopen to traffic in a matter of days.

Crews spent yesterday working through the draw span check list’s 1,400 electrical, mechanical and hydraulic items, the primary challenge being aligning the pontoons ends correctly each time.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation’s project blog and several news releases, functional testing of the bridge was completed Tuesday night. The next step is a series of 20 draw span tests, each of which must go off without a hitch in order for the bridge to reopen to the 16,000-20,000 vehicles that cross it daily.

“Joining the new bridge components to the existing west half adds another set of challenges to completing this very technical bridge that requires extensive checks and adjustments to ensure its safe and reliable operation,” said Scott Ireland, Hood Canal Bridge Construction Manager, in a prepared statement. “We are focused on opening the bridge as soon as possible by completing draw span adjustments now in order to help ensure the 20 cycle tests will go well once we start.”

Once the bridge is reopened, the DOT will continue its closure mitigation transportation services for the day of the reopening and one after. Security will remain posted at Kitsap and Olympic peninsula park and rides until the Sunday following the opening.

For more information, call 1-877-595-4222.

Though an exact opening is unknown, the DOT will hold two opening celebrations June 6. The first will be a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. at Salsbury Park in Kitsap. The second will be a Bridge Opening Bash, from noon to 8 p.m., in Port Townsend.