SHINE — The state Department of Transportation will replace a hydraulic cylinder on the west span of the Hood Canal Bridge on Tuesday.
Bridge crews will close one lane of state Highway 104 to create space for a crane to move the 6,000-pound cylinder, according to the Department of Transportation.
The hydraulic cylinder, also called a ram, is used to lift and lower the driving surface of the bridge when it opens for boat traffic.
During a recent inspection, crews discovered a hydraulic leak in one of the 12 rams on the west side of the bridge.
Since the discovery of the leak, the bridge has been restricted to 300-foot openings for boat traffic instead of its designed 600-foot opening.
The 600-foot openings are needed for some commercial and military marine openings and also to relieve pressure on the bridge during storms.
Drivers can expect alternating single-lane traffic across the bridge from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Wednesday, after the work is completed, travelers can expect several closures of the draw span over 30 minutes or less to allow crews to flush the hydraulic system.
The cylinder replacement may be rescheduled in the event of high winds, WSDOT said.
For real-time travel information, visit www.wsdot.com/travel/real-time/map or download the WSDOT app.
