Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project receives $3.6 million for bike, pedestrian improvements

Preliminary rendering of the new bridge with bike and pedestrian path

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project team is pleased to share that the project has received a $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program.

The federal grant program helps communities build transportation projects that have significant local or regional impact and improve safety and equity. 

Currently, there is no bike or pedestrian access on the 100-year-old bridge between Hood River and White Salmon. Plans for the new bridge call for a 12-foot walking and biking path on its west side. The $3.6 million grant will fund the planning, preliminary engineering and design for pedestrian and bicycle amenities on the new bridge that will link the two communities in a way that has never been available.

“Bike and pedestrian access across the new bridge is critical to our local communities,” said Port of Hood River Commissioner Mike Fox. “The project team is grateful for this award, which will help us realize our vision of a bridge that works for everybody.”

In recent open house events held by the project team, members of the public expressed a strong desire for adequate walking and biking amenities on the new bridge, as well as connections to existing infrastructure.

Bike and pedestrian investments will ensure the bridge serves low-income residents and those without access to motor vehicles. Given the bridge’s placement in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, it will also enhance recreational opportunities for locals and visitors.

“This grant is an exciting step forward for the new bridge,” said Klickitat County Commissioner Jacob Anderson. “Those of us on the Washington side are looking forward to walking and biking across it, as well as welcoming more business and tourism from Oregon.”

The project team is grateful to Sens. Maria Cantwell, Jeff Merkley, Patty Murray and Ron Wyden, as well as Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Dan Newhouse and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, whose support was instrumental in receiving this grant.

The RAISE grant is one of several federal grants the project team is pursuing to reduce local funding and tolls needed to fund the project.