Let's Talk About a Better Bridge | A Hood Canal Bridge Community Listening Session

The Let's Talk About a Better Bridge listening session is happening October 29 from 4-5 pm at the Port Angeles Senior and Community Center dining room. Join us for a short film that explores the research around the Hood Canal Bridge's effect on area ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on the waters of the Hood Canal followed by a Q+A with an experienced biologist. Plus, contribute to the ongoing community study with your vision for a better bridge.

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The Hood Canal Bridge is a vital transportation link between the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas. The region relies on it for daily trips, commerce, tourism, and national security.

Despite being a critical element of travel in the area, the bridge poses challenges when it closes for boat traffic, maintenance, and repairs. The bridge also affects water currents and obstructs migrating steelhead and salmon due to its deep and nearly continuous pontoons.

A broad coalition includes local elected officials, Tribal Governments, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the U.S. Navy, and other agencies and organizations want to ensure the bridge serves the community for the long-term while protecting salmon and the Hood Canal ecosystem. This coalition is starting the conversation about what a better bridge could look like. Currently, there are no plans and no funding to replace the bridge but planning and design can take many years. Proactively discussing ideas now will help ensure a future bridge works for everyone.