SHINE — A June 6 date for a “Bridge Opening Bash” near the Hood Canal Bridge’s new east half and later that day in Port Townsend has been confirmed, but the bridge construction manager is reluctant to say when the bridge actually will open to traffic.
The state Department of Transportation issued a statement late Friday saying that the floating bridge, which was closed for six weeks to permit replacement of its east half, “may open a week earlier than anticipated,” but added that the opening date would not be determined until after work scheduled next week is finished.
The contractor’s original deadline for completion of the work was June 12. That had been moved to June 15 because of weather-related delays.
The bridge may be opened before then, but Scott Ireland, bridge construction manager, said late Friday he could not provide a firm date for completion of the project.
The joining of floating pontoons now under way requires wind of 15 mph or less, he explained, adding that he was closely monitoring the weather.
“I am very sensitive to giving a date out when there are conditions and factors outside of my control, such as the weather,” Ireland said.
He said he would be in a better position Monday or Tuesday — after the second of two pontoon joints are finished — to say when the project would be completed.
But the party is on, bridge or no bridge.
Becky Hixson, bridge project spokeswoman, said a ceremony is set for June 6 at Salsbury Point County Park, off state Highway 3 near Port Gamble.
Gov. Chris Gregoire was invited but will not be able to attend, Hixson said.
Paula Hammond, state transportation secretary, will be there, though, she added.
“We’re going for it,” Hixson said.
The bridge reopening party is planned to spill over to Port Townsend in the afternoon where a number of happenings, including a street dance, are planned.
To date, the project that started May 1 has had 3 ¼ days without work because winds exceeded 15 mph, Ireland said.
That impeded the work, but progress since has left the project team “in a good position,” he said.
The original deadline for contractor Kiewit General to complete the work was 42 working days — seven days a week — from 12:01 a.m. May 1, Hixson said.
That meant the completion date was June 12, but that date has changed to June 15 because of the weather days, she and Ireland said.
Transportation will pay contractor Kiewit General a bonus of $75,000 a day for up to eight days for completing the bridge early.
If the company is late, it will pay the state $75,000 for each day’s delay, up to a maximum of $1 million.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
