SHINE — Rain cascaded off the upper deck of the Hood Canal Bridge and cars swooshed overhead Thursday as a state committee toured underneath the aging east half of the floating bridge.
The inclement weather demonstrated the forces of nature that wear on the 40-year-old structure for about 20 members of the Pilot Project Subcommittee of the state Permit Efficiency and Accountability Committee and several representatives of state agencies.
The committee was formed as a result of the Environmental Permit Streamlining Act of 2001. The measure requires state agencies to work together on environmental permit issues for transportation projects.
East-half bridge replacement Project Manager John Callahan briefed the committee on the project, and Floating Bridge and Special Structures Design Manager Patrick T. Clarke spoke about the bridge’s condition.
The half-bridge will be replaced in 2006, requiring an eight-week closure.
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