A new bipartisan bill introduced to the Oregon Legislature, Senate Bill 431, aims to provide $125 million in state funding for the construction of a new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge. The new bridge will replace the nearly 100-year-old steel structure currently connecting the mid-Columbia communities. The bill is sponsored by Senator Daniel Bonham and Representative Jeff Helfrich along with co-sponsors Senators Findley, Gorsek, and Hansell, as well as Representatives Lewis, McLain, and Pham K. These sponsors are working to get the bill passed and secure Oregon state funding for the new bridge. The bill is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, February 7, in front of the Joint Transportation Committee.
Read MoreHood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project Funding Update
Hood River, OR – Federal grant applications for the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement project were not awarded in 2022. But the project team says these first attempts to secure federal funding won’t be the last and that this will not affect the project timeline to replace the outdated and deficient bridge.
On December 21, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation notified the Port of Hood River and the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement project team that the project was not awarded any federal grants in 2022. The project team is continuing funding efforts in the upcoming legislative sessions in Oregon and Washington and will also reapply for federal grants this year. Mayor Marla Keethler of White Salmon explained, “While not ideal news, we remain encouraged by the federal and state support for our project. The focus remains having a new bridge in place by the end of 2029, and we’ll be back at it applying for these same federal funds in 2023.”
Read MoreHood River Bridge Replacement Bistate Working Group asks for community feedback on new headquarters location
The Hood River Bridge Replacement Bistate Working Group (BSWG) invites the community to give feedback on whether to locate the Primary Place of Business or headquarters for the new Bistate Bridge Commission in Oregon or Washington. Community input is important to this decision as it may impact project funding for the new bridge and future toll increases. The survey is open from Dec. 2 to Dec. 19, 2022, at bit.ly/headquarterssurvey.
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