HomeMy WebLinkAbout2703 RESOLUTION NO. 2703
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of Bremerton,
Supporting efforts by the Washington Department of
Transportation to preserve and maintain the Hood
Canal Bridge given it's strategic importance to the
North Olympic Peninsula.
WHEREAS, the City of Bremerton recognizes the crucial 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 storm damage and other forces of
deterioration due to the extreme marine environment in which it exists; and
WHEREAS, this vulnerability was proven in 1979 when the western portion of the
Hood Canal sank as a result of a storm event; and
WHEREAS, the reconstruction of this portion of the bridge took nearly four years
during which time the economic lifeline of the 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
tourists to our area, and severely inconvenienced the residents dependent upon this
vital transportation link; and
WHEREAS, the WSDOT has issued a Hood Canal Bridge Replacement Plan for
the East-Half of the bridge dated April 1997, which indicates that this section is severely
deteriorated and that "major damage" is likely given certain storm conditions; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of 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 of
Washington.
Hood Canal Bridge - Resolution 2703 - 5/19/99
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF BREMERTON AS FOLLOWS:
1 ) The Transportation Commission and WSDOT are commended for recognizing
the critical role the Hood Canal Bridge plays in serving the people and
businesses of the North Olympic Peninsula; and
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" probability and risk of damage from major storms as outlined in
the April 1997 WSDOT Replacement Plan for the East Half of the Hood Canal
Bridge; and
3) The Transportation Commission and WSDOT are reminded of previous
commitments/requirements, which preclude the re-imposition of tolls on the Hood
Canal Bridge and the need to aggressively seek other revenue sources to
support the bridge reconstruction project.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Bremerton this 19~h day of May 1999.
MIKE SHEPHERD
Council President
Hood Canal Bridge - Resolution 2703 - 5/19/99