SHINE – The Hood Canal Bridge was closed early July 10 to vehicle and marine traffic until further notice, because of mechanical issues.
“During an 8 a.m. marine opening on July 10, the bridge experienced a mechanical malfunction on the west half of the bridge,” state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Cara Mitchell reported.
“[WSDOT] bridge crews are in the process of manually closing the bridge. It is a process that could take several hours. Drivers should be prepared for long delays and consider alternate routes.”
Mitchell reported that “every effort to reopen the bridge to vehicular traffic as soon as possible” would be made. Federal regulations require WSDOT to open the drawspan to mariners within one hour’s notice.
Drivers can receive up-to-date Hood Canal Bridge information through several resources (advance notification does not occur for passage of marine vessels associated with the Department of Defense):
- WSDOT Hood Canal Bridge web page
- WSDOT email and text updates
- Hood Canal text messages: Send a text message to 468311 with the words “wsdot hood”. To unsubscribe, send a text message to the same number with the words “wsdot stop”.
- Drivers can find other information about the Hood Canal Bridge on the common questions webpage including specifics as to why the bridge opens so frequently.
- Real-time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 511.
