Tolling Online Open House
Welcome!
In this online open house, you will be able to review and provide feedback on:
- Benefits of the new bridge
- Anticipated project schedule
- Paying for the new bridge
- The new Hood River - White Salmon Bridge Authority
- Current bridge governance
Why now?
The current bridge is deteriorating and is rapidly reaching the end of its life.
Costly to maintain. The Port of Hood River has identified $100 million in repairs necessary to maintain the bridge.
Other issues:
- No pedestrian or bike access.
- Limited roadway width creates hazardous conditions for freight trucks.
- Weight limits make it inaccessible for some emergency vehicles and freight trucks.
- Low capacity and speeds create traffic congestion.
- Deck surface allows for vehicle debris and runoff into the river.
- Poorly aligned, narrow channel creates dangerous conditions for barges.
Current bridge conditions
Benefits
New Bridge Configuration
Location:
The new bridge will be slightly downstream, however the approaches on both sides of the river will be close to where they are now.
Design:
Modern, wide, concrete bridge with one 12-foot lane in each direction with 8-foot shoulders.
Access:
It will also include a 12-foot walking and biking path on its west side. It will accommodate all anticipated heavy loads.
Speed limit:
The bridge will have a 45 mph speed limit to safely blend with existing interchanges on both sides of the river.
Anticipated project schedule
Design and construction completion dates are based on an accelerated timeline and are contingent on funding. Completing the bridge by the end of 2029 will likely save money because inflation costs are offset by accelerating the timeline by one year.
Paying for the New Bridge
Costs & funding sources
Total cost $520M
(based on 2025 construction start and 2029 new bridge opening)
The project team is aggressively pursuing additional federal grants, as well as more funding from Oregon and Washington.
Tolling
100% of the toll increase will go toward the new bridge.
The portion of new bridge costs not covered by state funds and federal grants will need to be paid with a federal loan.
To secure the loan, the project needs to build up at least $15M in cash reserves by 2028.
To meet that goal and to eventually repay the full loan, the project needs to raise money now in the form of increased tolls.
All new revenue from this toll increase will go into a restricted fund to be used only for the new bridge.
Exact loan amount needed will depend on:
- Final total cost of new bridge
- Grant funding from state or federal sources
- Schedule (delays cost money due to inflation)
Tolling options
Tolling option 1
Considerations:
- Higher cash but lower BreezeBy tolls.
- Provides a lower cost per crossing for more frequent customers.
- Would benefit locals, most of whom are BreezeBy customers.
- Higher cost for cash is borne mostly by infrequent users or those without BreezeBy accounts.
- Both tolling options meet the revenue target of $15M by 2028 and $21M by bridge opening.
Tolling option 2
Considerations:
- Preserves existing benefit of lower cost for BreezeBy customers.
- Lessens cost increase for infrequent users and those without BreezeBy accounts.
- Both tolling options meet the revenue target of $15M by 2028 and $21M by bridge opening.
Bridge Authority
A new bridge authority will oversee the bridge replacement project effective July 1.
Authority role:
- Oversee design and construction of the new bridge
- Manage operations, maintenance and toll-setting once new bridge is open
- Sole access to new toll revenue, and decision-making authority over those funds
Representation: The new bridge authority will have a board of six voting members, with Klickitat County and Hood River County appointing three members each.
Learn more about the history of the Bi-state Working Group and the transition to the new Hood River – White Salmon Bridge Authority.
Current Bridge Governance
The Port of Hood River
