Bistate Working Group
The Bistate Working Group no longer meets. From October 2020 to July 2023, the group served as a discussion body that helps the project team conduct the post-NEPA phases of the bridge replacement. As of July 2023, a new bistate governmental agency, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, manages the bridge replacement project, and will own and maintain the new bridge once it is built.
The Bistate Working Group
The Bistate Working Group (BSWG) was an intermediary discussion body to help advance the project. As local political leaders in the mid-Columbia region, BSWG members provided guidance and direction to the project team (Port of Hood River staff and HNTB project staff) on key inputs as funding becomes available. The project team worked with BSWG members throughout the process to ensure that ideas and concerns are understood and considered as alternatives or options are developed.
The BSWG was formalized in October 2020 when the governing boards of all six member agencies approved a Memo of Understanding regarding the development of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Replacement Bridge. The BSWG identified two major requirements for advancing bridge replacement: Governance and funding.
On May 19, 2021, the BSWG agreed to establishing “Strategic Action Plan Principles” to guide bridge replacement efforts.
The BSWG was responsible for:
Guiding project development activities and resolving issues by consensus.
Overseeing Phase 2 and Phase 3 work.
Providing for interagency coordination on all project issues.
Facilitating the implementation of the Bistate Bridge Authority.
Seeking funding necessary to design, develop, and construct the replacement bridge.
The new bistate bridge authority
The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority was formed in 2023 and assumed the management of bridge replacement project efforts from the Bistate Working Group. The authority oversees the design, construction, funding, and tolling of the new bridge. The agency’s board of commissioners has equal representation from Oregon and Washington, allowing decision-making power on the new bridge for both sides of the river. Once the new bridge is built, the bridge authority will operate and maintain the new bridge.
The HRWSBA will work closely with the Port of Hood River during design and construction, because the new bridge will use some Port land temporarily during construction and some permanently.
Working Group Members
Arthur Babitz, Commissioner, Hood River County
Catherine Kiewit, Mayor, City of Bingen
Jacob Anderson, Commissioner, Klickitat County
Paul Blackburn, Mayor, City of Hood River
Marla Keethler, Mayor, City of White Salmon
Mike Fox, Commissioner, Port of Hood River