Project Overview
Building a better bridge: Pushing toward construction in late 2027
With state and local funding secured and final environmental approval expected this year, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge project is seeking the final federal investment needed to begin construction in 2027.
Building a new bridge ridge is critical to the regional and national economy, freight and passenger vehicle safety, and families accessing essential services. Built in 1924, the existing bridge is outdated, unsafe and costly to maintain. Frequent closures due to aging design and safety issues disrupt access to essential services. Those closures also disrupt freight traffic carrying critical goods through the corridor, damaging the local and regional economies.
A new, modern bridge will improve safety and keep the regional economy moving.
The new bridge design features bike and pedestrian facilities, a lookout and traffic shoulders.
“WHEN THE BRIDGE CLOSES, WE LOSE ON AVERAGE 38% OF OUR DAILY REVENUE. PLUS WE PAY OUR EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR EXTENDED COMMUTES, WHICH CAN TOTAL AN EXTRA 1.5 HOURS PER DAY.”
— Lauren Heumann, Owner
Treebird Market
Continuing momentum
Environmental review nearing completion: A federal Record of Decision—the final step in the project’s required environmental review—is expected in fall 2025.
Final Design taking shape: This summer, the project officially entered its final design phase, marking a major milestone. Construction-ready plans will be ready in spring 2027.
Final funding in sight: The project team is actively working to secure the final piece of federal funding through the federal Bridge Investment Program.
Local bridge, national impact
Improving safety
Wider lanes: Regulation lane widths and shoulders will reduce accidents and emergency closures.
Seismic safety: Deeper foundations to better withstand earthquakes.
Safer navigation: More clearance for barges traveling beneath the bridge.
New and improved access: Better, safer access for all modes.
Supporting the economy
Cost & Funding
The bridge is estimated to cost $1.12 billion. The project funding plan includes a mix of federal, state, and local contributions.
Currently, the project has secured about $563 million in funding. Out of that, Washington State and Oregon have each committed $125 million. The project has secured about $222 million in federal funding, including a $200 million grant through the federal INFRA (Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects) program.
Local funding for the project will come from tolls, which will be used to repay a $105 million federal TIFIA (the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) low-interest loan. In 2023, tolls for the existing bridge increased, with all new revenue from that increase put into a restricted fund to be used only for the new bridge.
Bridge Owner
The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority oversees the planning, financing, design and construction of the new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge.
Following construction, the Authority will control operations, maintenance and toll-setting for the new bridge. The Authority is governed by a board of twelve commissioners, with Klickitat County and Hood River County appointing six members each.
The existing bridge is owned, operated, and maintained by the Port of Hood River. The port has no decision rights for the new bridge.