HomeMy WebLinkAbout032 99
eo.' ~:::J 1X\Y\\L~ 4/¡q/qq
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
IN THE MATTER OF SUPPORTING EFFORTS
BY THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION (WSDOT) TO PRESERVE
AND MAINTAIN THE HOOD CANAL BRIDGE
GIVEN ITS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE TO THE
NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA
}
}
}
}
}
}
RESOLUTION NO. 32-99
WHEREAS, Jefferson County recognizes the vitally important nature of the transportation network serving the
North Olympic Peninsula; and
WHEREAS, State Route 104 is the primary route linking the North Olympic Peninsula with the Puget Sound
Region and all points east; and
WHEREAS, This route crosses the Hood Canal which is spanned by a floating bridge known as the Hood
Canal Bridge; and
WHEREAS, This bridge is subject to stonn dà.mage and other forces of deterioration due to the extreme marine
enviromnent in which it exists; and
WHEREAS, This vulnerability was proven in 1979 when the western portion of the Hood Canal Bridge sank as
a result of a stonn event; and
WHEREAS, The reconstruction of this portion of the bridge took nearly four years during which time the
economic lifeline ofthe North Olympic Peninsula was severely crippled; and
WHEREAS, The economy of the North Olympic Peninsula suffered greatly during this time as it impeded the
flow of freight on and off the Peninsula, disrupted the flow of visitors to our area, and severely inconvenienced the
residents dependant upon this vital b:ansportation link; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has issued a Hood Canal Bridge
Replacement Plan for the East-Half of the bridge dated April, 1997 which indicates this section is severely deteriorated
and that "major damage" is likely given certain stonn conditions; and
WHEREAS, The Transportation Commission has recognized this danger by authorizing the design of a
replacement bridge section; and
WHEREAS, The WSDOT has further recognized the importance of this bridge by ranking this bridge as the
Number One priority for bridge reconstruction in the State ofWashingto11,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners as follows:
SECTION 1. The Transportation Commission and WSDOT are commended for recognizing the critical role
the Hood Canal Bridge plays in serving the people and business of the North Olympic Peninsula; and
SECTION 2. The Transportation Commission and WSDOT are urged to proceed rapidly with the replacement
of the east half of the Hood Canal Bridge to minimize the "relatively high" risk of damage from major stonns as
outlined in the April, 1997 WSDOT Replacement Plan for the East Half of the Hood Canal Bridge; and
SECTION 3. The Transportation Commission and WSDOT are reminded of previous
commitmentsirequirements which preclude the reimposition of tolls on the Hood Canal Bridge and the need to
aggressively seek other revenue sources to support the bridge reconstruction project; and
SECTION~:. ~efferson County pledges its best efforts to assist the Transportation Commission and WSDOT
in pursuingJhesé,il1t~ma1;i~e funding sources.
"Á~oP~~i>~&-1~da;'of April, 1999.
:'c,'.(t-. ',""":l"'-(~j.-\
SEAlr- . \ " ','"
\:" '\ '/-' )l/-j
\ ,'.,' ,) :,~- -<::/.", ,- /
\,,' ," - \-.~-::., .:..,;.:...1 ...,' - .:' '"
'\'- ,),'., 'c/
Q2~~M~
VOL