The Hood Canal Bridge, the North Olympic Peninsula’s major route to Seattle and points east, was closed at 12:01 a.m. today for an estimated six weeks to replace its eastern half.
The eastern half replacement is expected to be finished mid-June in a project that, together with a retrofit of the western half to be finished in 2010, is estimated to cost nearly $500 million.
To get around when the bridge is closed, travelers can:
• Take a free, passenger-only water shuttle between Jefferson and Kitsap counties, with free transit bus connections to park-and-rides and ferry terminals.
• Take a reservation-based state ferry between Port Townsend and Keystone on Whidbey Island. Phone 888-808-7977.
• Reserve space on a car and commercial truck ferry between Port Townsend and Edmonds. Reservations can be made seven days in advance by phoning 877-595-4222.
• Reserve space on a medical bus service. Phone 877-595-4222 at least two days in advance.
• Drive along the Hood Canal on U.S. Highway 101.
• Share rides in carpools. For information, phone 888-814-1300 or see www.ridesshareonline.
• Use private boats.
• Use private bus lines or book flights on local airlines. Local services are Kenmore Air at 866-435-9524 or www.kenmoreair.com; Olympic Bus Line at 360-417-0700 or www.olympicbuslines.com; Rocket Transportation shuttle service at 360-683-8087 or www.gorocketman.com; Goodwin Aviation at 360-531-1727 or www.goodwinaviation.com; Rite Bros. Aviation at 1-800-430-7483 or www.ritebros.com; and Aero Exec at 800-595-7640 or www.aeroexec.com.
• Veterans who have medical appointments in Seattle can reserve free rides by phoning 360-457-5251.
For more information, check these Web sites and telephone numbers.
• Hood Canal Bridge Project: 877-595-4222, www.hoodcanalbridge.com.
• Washington State Ferries: 800-843-3779; www.wsdot/ferries/schedule/.
• Clallam Transit: 360-452-4511 or 800-858-3747; www.clallamtransit.com.
• Jefferson Transit: 360-385-4777; www.jeffersontransit.com.
• Kitsap Transit: 800-501-7433 (RIDE); www.kitsaptransit.org.
• No Bridge – No Problem: www.nobridgenoproblem.com.
The Bridge Closure Survival Guide, published in last Sunday’s Peninsula Daily News, is available at PDN offices in Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend. (Addresses and phone numbers on Page A2.)
