Oregon Legislature Commits $105 Million to Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project
The Oregon Legislature has approved a $105 million investment in the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project, marking a major funding milestone for one of the region’s most critical infrastructure efforts.
“The Oregon Legislature and our delegation came through at a critical moment for this project and for the families and businesses that rely on this bridge,” said Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority (HRWSBA) Chair Mike Fox. “With both states having reached the goal of $125 million each, the message to our federal partners is clear: local support is strong – now we need the federal government to finish the job.”
The bridge project’s importance and urgency became strikingly clear during an early-season wildfire outbreak in the Columbia River Gorge. On June 11, the Rowena Fire ignited along Interstate 84 in Wasco County, Oregon, five miles east of the existing bridge. That same afternoon, the Grant Lake Fire broke out ten miles west of the bridge in Skamania County, Washington. With both I-84 eastbound and SR-14 westbound closed, the narrow existing bridge failed to serve as an adequate safety or evacuation route. At the height of the emergency, traffic trying to cross the bridge was backed up for twelve hours, paralyzing communities on both sides of the river.
Once built, the new bridge will include expanded lanes, shoulders, and a multimodal path that can double as emergency vehicle access. These improvements will accommodate increased traffic flow, reduce delays, and provide a safer, more reliable crossing.
“We are especially grateful to bridge champions Representative Jeff Helfrich and Senator Daniel Bonham for their unwavering commitment to this project,” said HRWSBA Commissioner Kathryn Thomas. “And we thank the full Oregon Legislature for recognizing the bridge’s importance and prioritizing this funding in a very challenging budget year.”
The Oregon Legislature authorized $45 million in project funding during the 2025-2027 biennium, $30 million in 2027-2029, and another $30 million in 2029-2031. In total, the state’s investment stands at $125 million, matching a commitment made by the Washington State Legislature earlier this spring. The Oregon funding bills are now on the governor’s desk awaiting signatures.
With matching funds now secured from both states, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project is preparing an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the remainder of its needed construction funding, building on previous federal awards including a $200 million grant announced last year. The project expects to complete the environmental review process later this summer and enter the core design phase in the fall.