Washington, Oregon Local Governments Form New Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority

The cities and counties at both ends of the aging Hood River White Salmon Bridge have signed an agreement to form a new bridge authority. It’s an important step toward replacing the bridge through interstate cooperation and representation. It comes 100 years — nearly to the day — after the original bridge association announced plans to build the current bridge.

The April 26 signing officially formed the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority. The new entity’s charter takes effect on July 1. Washington signers are the cities of Bingen and White Salmon, and Klickitat County. Oregon signers are the City of Hood River, Hood River County and the Port of Hood River.

Representatives of the member agencies of the new bridge authority: Ben Sheppard, Port of Hood River Commission; Jennifer Euwer, Hood River County; Paul Blackburn, City of Hood River; Catherine Kiewit, City of Bingen; Jacob Anderson, Klickitat County. Not pictured: Marla Keethler, City of White Salmon.

The six signers had been collaborating since October 2020 in an informal working group called the Bistate Working Group (BSWG). The BSWG will continue working as the two counties appoint the new authority’s board members. The six members of the new authority will transition into place between now and July 1 when the new authority officially takes on the responsibility of designing, building and operating the new bridge.

From 1950 until now, Oregon’s Port of Hood River was the sole bridge authority. The new agreement restores a voice for Washington governments in funding, building, operating and maintaining the new bridge, a crucial interstate link. The bridge connects agricultural producers to ocean ports, and gives local residents daily access to jobs, childcare, school and medical services. It carries about 4.5 million trips per year.

The new bridge authority will have a board of six voting members, with Klickitat County and Hood River County appointing three members each. The board will appoint two co-chairs — one from Washington, one from Oregon — to a two-year term. The charter gives the board wide authority, notably including “the power to impose, fix, collect, and periodically adjust the rate of tolls.” The formation of the bridge authority is expected to aid progress on obtaining state and federal funding and building a replacement.

“Having Washington representation and oversight for the new bridge has been a key focal point for our communities,” said White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler. “We’re excited to be reaching this stage, which we’ve been working towards for three years now. Having the bi-state authority in place is critical to moving this project forward.”

About 100 years ago, The Hood River Glacier newspaper reported that on April 12, 1923, the “Hood River – White Salmon Columbia River Bridge Association” announced plans to build the current bridge. It opened on Dec. 9, 1924, with an automobile toll of 75 cents — about 13 of today’s dollars, adjusted for inflation. The current passenger-car toll is $2.

Engineers have estimated the current bridge to have reached the end of its service life, with little chance of surviving an earthquake. The Oregon Department of Transportation recently rated it at 6 out of 100 for sufficiency because the bridge is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. Its narrow lanes, weight restrictions, lack of shoulders, difficult barge navigation, and lack of biking and walking access limit its safety and usefulness. The Port of Hood River will continue in its role of operating and managing the existing bridge until the opening of the new bridge.