The Hood Canal Bridge first opened to the greater Puget Sound in 1961, quickly becoming an essential transportation link for residents, commuters, recreational travelers, and commercial vehicles. At over 7,800 feet in length, it holds the distinction of being the longest floating bridge in the world located in a saltwater tidal basin. The water depth at the mid-point of the bridge is 350 feet. The bridge’s floating section stretches an impressive 1.2 miles and is supported by 39 concrete pontoons. It carries State Route 104 across the northern outlet of Hood Canal, allowing drivers to bypass the 100+ mile drive around the fjord. Because the Hood Canal Bridge is part of State Route 104, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which is responsible for ensuring safe and reliable transportation throughout the region.

Following the sinking of the west half of the bridge in 1979, It was rebuilt and reopened to vehicular traffic in 1982. This left the two halves of the bridge at different stages of their service lifespan. From 2003 to 2009, there was a complete replacement of the eastern half of its floating portion, which required bringing in new pontoons and closing the bridge to traffic for five weeks.

While today’s bridge may be more structurally sound than its first iteration, it still faces challenges. Its unique floating design, set in an area prone to severe conditions, comes with risks that test its reliability. When combined with the effects of its saltwater environment, the Hood Canal Bridge may experience a more accelerated aging process, as constant exposure to the elements and shifting conditions can weaken its structure. The consequences of another major bridge failure would have far-reaching impacts across the region.

Traffic and delays at the Hood Canal Bridge remain a persistent issue; missed appointments and close calls making flights are a fact of life for many who regularly use the bridge. The bridge is a vital traffic corridor, carrying thousands of vehicles each day to and from the Olympic Peninsula, and that number is only expected to grow as both tourism and residency in the region increases.

Long established Federal law requires the bridge to give marine traffic the right of way over vehicular traffic. The law requires the bridge crew to respond within 60 minutes notice to open the span for all marine traffic, with some limitations in the summer during the peak afternoon commute time. The bridge opens on average 350 times a year for various reasons that include annual inspections, maintenance, commercial, pleasure craft, military, and weather. Historically there are fewer openings during fall and winter months, with July, August, and September having the highest monthly openings. Bridge openings range anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. The bridge will close to vehicle traffic during storms with sustained wind speeds above 40 mph that last for 15 minutes or longer. WSDOT opens the bridge to relieve pressure on the bridge structure. It may also close at lower wind speeds if wind direction poses a risk to crossing vehicles. WSDOT will also close the bridge to vehicle traffic when there are extreme tides. While safety remains the top priority, the frequency of closures creates congestion on both sides.

As the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, the bridge plays a critical role in supporting commerce, travel, and recreation, yet frequent and unpredictable disruptions often put business plans on hold. Key industries and employers in nearby counties don’t want to, and often can’t afford to, wait to move goods, access services, and maintain workforce mobility.

Perhaps a lesser-known impact of the Hood Canal Bridge is its disruption to fish and marine life in the region. Recent research from the Hood Canal Bridge Assessment indicates that the bridge’s design significantly impedes the migration of young steelhead, Chinook, and chum salmon and contributes to higher mortality rates. The large and continuous concrete pontoons of the bridge act as a wall that forces fish to navigate around the structure, which delays migration and increases vulnerability to predators like harbor seals that congregate near the bridge.

Watch the video documenting ongoing efforts to understand and improve the situation for young salmon and steelhead populations.

Previous research also indicates that the bridge causes surface water mixing, which affects currents, salinity and temperature within 2 to 3 miles of the bridge. Additional research is needed to fully understand the impacts on marine life near the bridge and predict effects under changing climate conditions.

There are five Tribal nations with usual and accustomed fishing and shellfish harvesting grounds in the Hood Canal and decline of these fish populations directly impacts the Tribes’ ability to harvest. However, the bridge is also a key transportation corridor for fishing and harvesting activities, and some Tribal fishers, hunters, and harvesters rely on the bridge to access traditional harvesting areas.

A coalition of partners, including Kitsap, Jefferson, Mason, and Clallam County elected officials, Tribal nations, the Hood Canal Coordinating Council, and state and federal agencies, have come together to address the wide-ranging impacts of the Hood Canal Bridge. While there is currently no funding to support the construction of a new bridge, every bridge has a lifespan. Efforts and discussions are currently underway to better understand these issues and get ahead of a potential redesign if it were to occur in the future.

As residents and bridge users learned in 1979, the Hood Canal Bridge, like any floating bridge, is vulnerable. It's difficult to predict when it will need to be replaced, which is why we are starting the conversation now – crossing the bridge before we come to it—so that a sudden need for a new bridge or large investment strongly considers the community’s needs. We ask you to join this community-driven effort because it’s essential that the people who rely on this bridge can make their voices heard so that future decisions better reflect the needs and priorities of the region.

If you have thoughts or ideas about the future of the Hood Canal Bridge, a public survey is open now through November 14. This is an opportunity to better understand community concerns, gather input on potential solutions, and advocate for the future of the bridge that you want.

Take the survey now!