Bridge Authority announces highest scoring design-builder for bridge replacement project

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority board of commissioners on Thursday, Feb. 22, gave approval for the project team to take the next step in securing a company to lead the design and construction of the new bridge.

The project team will now work to finalize the design-build contract with Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. Kiewit scored the highest of the three firms that responded to the October request for proposals for a design-build firm.

The contract has not yet been finalized, but negotiations are scheduled to start in February. The Bridge Authority has approved a maximum price of $8 million for the first phase of the design portion of the project, and the project team will seek a contract price that falls within that recommendation. The Authority expects to have a fully executed contract in April. That contract amount represents a portion of the estimated $520 million total project cost to replace the bridge.

After the contract is finalized, the company will start designing the bridge. The firm will receive input from the Bridge Aesthetics Committee, which will inform the bridge’s look and feel. The committee will be asking for public input on aesthetics considerations at two open house events slated for April and July 2024.

Bridge construction is scheduled to start in late 2025.

For more information on upcoming meetings and bridge-related activities, visit hrwsba.gov.