OLYMPIC REGION — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is officially on the bus in terms of helping the residents of Jefferson, Kitsap and Clallam counties access improved mass transit options when the Hood Canal Bridge is closed for retrofitting and replacement work in May and June 2009. WSDOT inked an agreement with the transit agencies in late 2007, solidifying its commitment to reducing traffic on State Route 104 and US 101 during the six-week project and improving viable travel alternatives.

The transit agreements will complement a temporary water shuttle service across the Hood Canal, which will transport residents between South Point Landing in Jefferson County and Port Gamble in Kitsap County.

“The agreements are a major component of closure mitigation,” said Eric Strauch, Hood Canal Bridge Project Closure Mitigation Design Team Leader. “Now that they are complete, it allows us more time to work on fine-tuning our coordination with emergency services, WSDOT maintenance and the Washington State Patrol.”

To learn more about the mitigation plan for the six-week May-June 2009 closure or other details of the Hood Canal Bridge Project, visit www.HoodCanalBridge.com.