The Oregon State Legislature has approved $20 million in lottery funds for the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project.

The data from the samples will inform the design of the foundation system for the replacement bridge.

The authority’s role includes overseeing design and construction of the new bridge and managing operations, maintenance and toll-setting once the new bridge is open.

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.

Tolling options presented in the open houses

Drop in to share your thoughts on current plans for a toll increase to help pay for construction of a new bridge.

The new bridge authority will have bistate representation and its board will have the power to set tolls.

Committed funding for the project’s projected total cost of $520 million is now about 35% percent complete. Passage of Oregon’s Senate Bill 431 would commit a further $125 million to the project.