SHINE – Motorists who use the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge can look forward to a smoother ride next week as WSDOT and crews from contractor Kiewit-General of Poulsbo begin grinding operations on the east half concrete bridge deck.

The work, which removes irregularities from the roadway surface, requires single-lane closures from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Oct. 12-16.
 
“Motorists should definitely plan accordingly,” said Project Engineer Jeff Cook, “because in addition to the grinding, we’ll still be intermittently closing the bridge to traffic throughout the night for ongoing functional testing of the west-half draw span.”

West-half mechanical and electrical upgrades continue on the bridge along with functional testing which started Sept. 29 and requires intermittent draw span openings of up to 90 minutes. So far, 30 of these nighttime openings have occurred.

Daytime travel on the Hood Canal Bridge is not affected by this continuing work, but is still subject to traffic delays caused by marine openings.

WSDOT replaced the Hood Canal Bridge’s east half and east and west trusses June 3. The project is scheduled to continue through December 2009 as crews complete electrical, hydraulic and mechanical upgrades and make final adjustments. For more information on the Hood Canal Bridge Project, please visit http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/.