SHINE – The SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge closes to motor vehicles this afternoon as crews continue ballasting operations on the draw span pontoons.

Drivers can expect a 25-30-minute delay starting at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 14 when the bridge’s center span is opened.

The opening allows contractors from Kiewit-General of Poulsbo to survey the pontoons and adjust the ballast to make certain the east and west draw spans are floating correctly in relation to one another. The operations must be performed at slack tide to minimize the tidal effect, and ensure the draw spans are evenly balanced.

Additional 15-30 minute ballasting test openings are scheduled to correspond with the slack tide:

·         At 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15

·         About 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21

·         About 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22

·         About 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23 

WSDOT replaced the Hood Canal Bridge’s east half and east and west trusses June 3. The project is scheduled to continue through December 2009 as crews complete electrical, hydraulic and mechanical upgrades and make final adjustments. For more information on the Hood Canal Bridge Project, please visit www.HoodCanalBridge.com.