Bridge Replacement Project seeks information from river users on navigation clearances
Project staff are reaching out to Columbia River vessel owners and operators in February and March to gain information on size and types of vessels that transit under the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge. Information is needed to ensure the replacement bridge will continue to allow for commerce and recreation up and downstream of the bridge.
Letters were recently sent to commercial and industrial river users in the region and notice was distributed through the U.S. Coast Guard.
Vessel owners and operators are asked to complete a River User Data Sheet for each vessel by March 30, 2019.
The new bridge would replace the current lift-span bridge with a fixed-span bridge. The proposed preliminary design provides for 450-foot horizontal clearance and 80 feet of vertical clearance at the main span. The current bridge provides 246 feet of horizontal clearance with 148 feet of vertical clearance when the bridge is in the open position, 67 feet vertical clearance when the bridge is closed. These clearances are above the Columbia River at Bonneville pool elevation of 77 feet mean sea level.
Project staff are seeking input on the proposed horizontal and vertical clearances whether the proposed clearances will impact uses of the waterway. Of particular interest is the proposed vertical of 80 feet and its ability to meet the reasonable need of navigation. Comments from mariners will be reviewed and considered prior to submitting a bridge permit package to the Coast Guard.
Mariners with questions or comments are asked to contact Nicole McDermott at (360) 823-6139, or email nicole.mcdermott@abam.com, or mail to 210 E. 13th Street, Vancouver, WA, 98660.