Frequently Asked Questions

Timeline

  • The project team is hard at work pursuing multiple federal, state and local funding sources to pay for the bridge. In the fall 2024, as part of the process to apply for more federal funding, the project team received an updated estimate of $1.12 billion to design and build the new bridge.

    As of late 2024, the project is moving through the early design process and working to complete a base design by December 2024, informed by public feedback. That process will include an assessment of potential risks to the project and an updated cost estimate.

  • The project team will continue to refine the design and plans to finish final design summer 2026. Construction could begin soon after if funding is available.

  • The construction start date is dependent on available funding. If funding is available, construction could begin fall 2026. If funding is not available, the project team will complete design of the bridge and start construction as soon as funds are secured.

  • The project team is targeting fall 2029 to open the new bridge. However, this date is an estimate and will change if the project doesn’t meet its funding goals or experiences construction delays or other issues.

  • No. The existing bridge will stay open to traffic while the new bridge is constructed beside it. The existing bridge will be permanently closed and demolished only after the new bridge is operational and open to the public.

Cost & Funding

  • The current estimated cost is about $1.12 billion based on the current base design. Read more here.

  • As of fall 2024, the team has secured $328 million in committed funds from federal and state grants and local funds.

  • The Authority hopes to raise more from the federal government, and Oregon and Washington states. The Authority also plans to take out a federal loan that will be repaid by tolls.

  • Because it is not a state-owned bridge funded by gas taxes like other area bridges. All operations and maintenance costs are paid by bridge users through tolls.

  • Bridge owners have approached both Oregon and Washington in the past about taking ownership of this bridge, and there isn’t an interest by either state to take over ownership of the bridge at this time.

  • Yes. The Bridge Authority is planning to approach one of the states after the new bridge is built. The authority is designing the bridge to meet Oregon and Washington design standards to allow one of the states to take ownership.

  • As of fall 2024, about $19 million has been spent on the bridge. Most of this has been spent on planning and design, including preliminary engineering, environmental permitting, site testing and sourcing project funding.

Tolling

  • 100% of the 2023 increase is going into a separate account to be used solely for the new bridge. This money is held in a reserve fund that will be used to secure the federal loan that will pay for the portion of bridge costs not covered by grants.

  • As of fall 2024, the project has raised about $4.3 million from the 2023 toll increase.

  • Yes. Toll revenue is needed to cover the cost of the construction loan repayment and ongoing maintenance and operations of the bridge.

  • The Bridge Authority has not yet made that decision. The Authority is committed to ensuring the tolls stay as low as possible and will set the new tolls based on the finances of the project when the bridge opens. The Authority will establish tolling policies for the bridge to ensure that revenue keeps up with maintenance and operations costs, as well as inflation, while also ensuring repayment of any debt. It is likely tolls on the bridge will need to increase from current rates.

  • We don’t know yet. It depends on the amount of grant money the project receives from the federal and state governments. Because the project will need to repay this loan with toll revenue, more grant money now means lower future tolls, and less grant funding means higher tolls on the new bridge.

    Even if the project were to receive more grants than expected, and therefore didn’t need to take out a loan at all, tolls would still be necessary on the new bridge to cover ongoing operations and maintenance.

  • No. Because the bridge is partly funded by federal funds, the Bridge Authority will be governed by federal regulations that require it to use the toll revenue collected solely for the new bridge.

  • The Bridge Authority will need to determine a long-term financial strategy for the operations, maintenance and replacement of the bridge, as well as debt repayment. This strategy will determine future tolls, and the public will have a chance to provide feedback on this strategy as it is developed.

  • Tolls will be set in 2029 after financing is complete and another traffic and revenue study is completed.

  • The authority is currently the sole decision-maker for setting toll rates on the new bridge. However, the Port of Hood River, as owner and operator of the existing bridge, controls the toll rates and the revenue from tolls enacted prior to September 2023.

  • Not until the new bridge opens. However, after July 1, 2026, all toll revenue will go to maintaining the existing bridge or building the new bridge; it will not be used for non-bridge purposes.

  • The bridge authority has not yet made a decision on this.

Bridge Location & Amenities

  • The new bridge will be located just west, or downstream, of the existing bridge. See a map here.

  • Yes.

Existing Bridge

  • It will remain open during construction of the new bridge. After the new bridge opens, the existing bridge will be demolished. Federal historic preservation guidelines require the project team to try to find another use for all or parts of the existing bridge. These uses may include museum displays, interpretive displays or integration into the design of the new bridge.

  • Due to its age and condition, the bridge is too expensive to maintain. In addition, it doesn’t meet current environmental standards and wouldn’t withstand a major earthquake.

Bridge Design

  • The design will be completed in three phases: base design (at the end of which design will be about 15% complete), preliminary design (60% complete) and advanced design (100% complete).

    As of fall 2024, the project team is wrapping up base design and preparing to enter the preliminary design stage, which is scheduled to be complete in fall 2025. The team hopes to complete all design summer 2026 and start construction fall 2026.

  • Members of the public have already had the opportunity to share their thoughts on elements of the bridge design earlier in 2024, when the Bridge Aesthetics Committee was gathering feedback to inform its Bridge Aesthetics Guidance Memo. A summary is available here. The bridge designers are using this memo to guide them as they design the bridge.