Bridge Authority Approves Design Contract

On Monday, July 28, commissioners of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority (“Authority”) voted unanimously to approve a contract with the engineering and construction firm Kiewit to complete the design of the new bridge and take the project through the design and pre-construction phase. The contract is a milestone marking a transition from the planning phase to the design phase and moving the bridge project forward. 

“We want our communities locally and our leaders federally to know that we’re moving another step closer to getting this bridge built and this contract with Kiewit is a key milestone,” said Mike Fox, Chair of the Authority. “We deeply appreciate the local, state, and federal investments already made and the ones yet to come that will deliver the people and businesses of the Columbia River Gorge and the greater Northwest a bridge they can rely on.” 

Over the next two years, Kiewit’s engineers will deliver a construction-ready design. Construction could begin as soon as fall 2027, pending full funding.