From early reports, it sounds like the new Hood Canal Bridge is a vast improvement for bicyclists .
The former mile-long span was a narrow, traffic congested — yet unavoidable — link between the Kitsap and North Olympic peninsulas. The few times I used it, I always had the desire to kiss the ground on reaching the opposite bank.
The replacement floating-bridge, whose installation was completed last Wednesday after about five weeks of work, has 8-foot wide emergency lanes all the way across that bicyclists can use.
Add to ride
Repesentatives from quite a few area bicycle clubs attended last week's re-opening ceremony. My contact with the West Sound Cycling Club, Bill Abbey, was among the first to ride across the bridge after the ceremony. He reported that it was “a much improved ride.”
“As the longest floating bridge (over salt water) in the world, and since it crosses such a spectacular reach, it’s now worth adding to ride routes. … You can relax, take it in and it will not be the same old Saturday route.”
Since May 1, some motorists and bicyclists had been using a water taxi service across the Hood Canal while the span was closed for replacement.
The Hood Canal Bridge crossing is on the Adventure Cycling Association's Washington Parks Route (and Pacific Coast route; see comment) for self-supported bicycle touring.
History
According to the Washington Department of Transportation Hood Canal project website, work on the replacement bridge project initially started in 1997, although construction on the replacement span actually started in 2003.
The project was delayed for two years when workers discovered the floating span construction site in Port Angeles was located on an ancient Native American village and operations were moved to Tacoma.
The western half of the Hood Canal Bridge sank in a severe storm in 1979 and was replaced in 1982.
See Seattle Times: “New Hood Canal Bridge big improvement“
WSDOT photo above: Bicyclists cross the Hood Canal Bridge on wider shoulders.
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