Lawmakers tour preliminary work on new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge

Over the summer, state lawmakers got a front-row view of preliminary work on the new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge and voiced their support for the critical infrastructure project.

Four Oregon lawmakers visited the geotechnical engineers conducting the drilling from a barge on the Columbia River. Testing soil and rock samples from the site of the new bridge’s foundation is part of the preliminary work needed to design the new span.

Rep. Jeff Helfrich, who represents Hood River and the surrounding area, said it’s unfortunate that funding for the new bridge hasn’t come together in the past. But he said he’s excited to see work starting now and is proud of the role his office played in securing funding.

“Everything came together at the right moment, and we were able to get it done,” he said. “I’m so happy for our community that we’ll be able to get this bridge project started.”

Sen. Daniel Bonham, who also represents the area, said he understands the project’s importance to the community. He runs a small business in the Gorge, and the bridge is a lifeline to his customers, he said.

Bonham said there are a lot of safety concerns with the existing bridge, so building a new bridge as soon as possible is crucial. “An earthquake would be devastating and absolutely catastrophic,” he said.

Sen. Lew Frederick, who represents North and Northeast Portland, recalled the award-winning KGW-TV piece on the “singing bridge” in 1980s. He serves on the Joint Transportation Committee and co-chairs a transportation planning subcommittee tasked with reviewing the planning and implementation of major transportation projects around the state.

Rep. Tawna Sanchez represents North and Northeast Portland and is the co-chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which shapes the state’s budget. Sanchez said she wanted to see how the project was progressing, particularly in terms of funding.

“You always wish things can move faster,” she said, “but they don’t, and that’s the way it is, especially with something of this magnitude.”

“Any bridge that connects Washington and Oregon should be a priority for all Oregonians,” she added.

Oregon lawmakers tour the bridge operations