| Rain Shadow Kayakers Hood Canal Bridge Progress Paddle, Part I April 20, 2009 |
Today the Rain Shadow Kayakers paddled north of the Hood Canal Bridge to observe the progress on the Hood Canal
Bridge. The Hood Canal Bridge connects the Olympic Peninsula and the Kitsap Peninsula across Hood Canal. It is 7,869
feet long, making it the longest floating bridge in the world located in a saltwater tidal basin, and the third longest floating
bridge overall. For six weeks, beginning May 1, the bridge will be closed so that the eastern half can be replaced. Our
paddle started just north of the bridge on the east side where we paddled to Port Gamble Bay to observe some of the
pieces that will be used for the replacement.
As we departed for Port Gamble Bay, we had a spectacular view of the Olympics.
Bridge. The Hood Canal Bridge connects the Olympic Peninsula and the Kitsap Peninsula across Hood Canal. It is 7,869
feet long, making it the longest floating bridge in the world located in a saltwater tidal basin, and the third longest floating
bridge overall. For six weeks, beginning May 1, the bridge will be closed so that the eastern half can be replaced. Our
paddle started just north of the bridge on the east side where we paddled to Port Gamble Bay to observe some of the
pieces that will be used for the replacement.
As we departed for Port Gamble Bay, we had a spectacular view of the Olympics.
There were four enormous cranes on barges.
In Port Gamble Bay, we observed the new bridge segments which will be placed on new pontoons.
In an ironic touch, an old sunken boat sat
close to the bridge sections. To compound
the irony, from the inside of this boat
emerged our fearless leader Felix.
close to the bridge sections. To compound
the irony, from the inside of this boat
emerged our fearless leader Felix.
For me, the most interesting part of the trip was the two trusses. The new trusses will connect the floating pontoons to the
concrete approach roadways in Kitsap and Jefferson counties. The trusses rotate 16.5 feet up and down like hinges,
maintaining the connection between the stationary roadway and the floating bridge while allowing the bridge to shift up and
down with the tides.
The trusses measure approximately 280-feet long, 70-feet wide and 40-feet tall – making them almost 100 feet longer
than a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The steel trusses weigh approximately 1.6 million pounds each – outweighing four 787
Dreamliners by a whopping 150,000 pounds.
concrete approach roadways in Kitsap and Jefferson counties. The trusses rotate 16.5 feet up and down like hinges,
maintaining the connection between the stationary roadway and the floating bridge while allowing the bridge to shift up and
down with the tides.
The trusses measure approximately 280-feet long, 70-feet wide and 40-feet tall – making them almost 100 feet longer
than a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The steel trusses weigh approximately 1.6 million pounds each – outweighing four 787
Dreamliners by a whopping 150,000 pounds.
As is his custom, Felix found a
nice private beach for a lunch
spot. He sent most of the
group over to try out the lunch
spot. After a safe interval to
see if anyone would appear
with shot guns, Felix arrived.
His exit from his kayak was
assisted by some female
faithful
nice private beach for a lunch
spot. He sent most of the
group over to try out the lunch
spot. After a safe interval to
see if anyone would appear
with shot guns, Felix arrived.
His exit from his kayak was
assisted by some female
faithful
After a successful paddle in gorgeous sixty degree sunshine, we met at the Port Gamble General Store to eat ice cream.
for Elston and Jackie Hill
Why is this trip called Part I? Because the group plans to paddle back in May to observe further construction of the bridge.