PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge replacement project is seeing progress after Washington approved additional funding to replace the 100-year-old bridge, with eyes on Oregon to match funds.

In a late May press release, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority lauded Washington state lawmakers who committed another $50 million to the project, which was signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson on May 21.

The $50 million from the Evergreen State adds to the state’s previous commitment of $75 million in 2023 for a total of $125 million dedicated to building a safer bridge.

“We deeply appreciate the strong backing from lawmakers in Olympia, especially Senator Curtis King, whose long-standing commitment to this project has been instrumental,” said HRWSBA Co-Chair Jacob Anderson. “We’re also thankful for the leadership and advocacy of Senator Paul Harris, Representative David Stuebe, and Representative Kevin Waters, and statewide leaders on transportation policy like Senator Marko Liias, Representative Jake Fey, and Representative Andrew Barkis.”

“This funding shows that Washington is stepping up for this critical bi-state connection and the communities that rely on it,” continued Anderson. “With Oregon matching that commitment, both states can send a unified message to federal partners: this project is a priority, and we’re ready to deliver.”

As Washington’s legislative session has come to an end, the authority is now eyeing Oregon House Bill 2184, which would allocate $105 million to the project and would help the state match Washington’s financial commitments.

Led by Oregon Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) and Rep. Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River), the bill passed the Joint Committee on Transportation in April and is now being considered in the Ways and Means Committee.

In the meantime, the bridge authority is urging Oregon lawmakers to pass the funding.

“We truly appreciate the great support from Senator Bonham and Representative Helfrich, and applaud the Transportation Committee for their support, especially committee co-chairs Representative Susan McLain and Senator Chris Gorsek,” said Mike Fox, HRWSBA co-chair. 

“Time is of the essence,” continued Fox. “Construction costs are rising and demands on our transportation system are growing. Our local communities and broader region rely on this crossing every day. The new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will only get built on time and within budget with all partners contributing their share.”

During an April 1 Joint Committee on Transportation hearing in the Oregon legislature, Rep. Helfrich described the bill as a “critical lifeline for our bi-state communities.”

The state representative also highlighted his previous service as a police officer for 25 years, explaining that a new bridge would be a “vital link” in emergencies such as wildfires or earthquakes or other life-and-death situations.

“The time to act and build this new bridge is now,” Helfrich urged the committee, noting further federal funds for the project hinges on Oregon committing the funds to the project.

In written testimony, submitted to the transportation committee, HRWSBA Co-chair Fox detailed the need for a new bridge, telling committee members, “Most of you have crossed the old bridge yourselves—perhaps gripping the wheel a little tighter as a semi passes just inches away in the opposite lane. You’ve seen firsthand the condition of the bridge, which was built in 1924 for cattle and Model Ts—not for the demands of today’s traffic, commerce, or safety standards.”

“The current bridge is too narrow, with no shoulders or space for emergency vehicles, let alone bikes and pedestrians. At just 9½ feet per lane, trucks routinely straddle the centerline. It’s weight-restricted, unable to handle modern freight, and poses growing safety and mobility risks. We’ve long known it wasn’t built to withstand a major earthquake—but recent geotechnical surveys revealed that many of its foundations aren’t even anchored to bedrock. Instead, they rest in compacted gravel now known to be vulnerable to liquefaction. Out of a score of 100, ODOT’s sufficiency rating for this bridge is a 7,” Fox stated.

According to the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project website, the new bridge design aims to address concerns over river navigation for vessels, while improving vehicle, pedestrian, bike and transit access.

The design features a 12-foot lane in each direction with eight-foot shoulders, a 12-foot walking and biking path, more space for barges, earthquake safety improvements and improvements to eliminate direct runoff from vehicles from entering the Columbia River.