The Klahhane's Tour Hood Canal Bridge
The Hood Canal bridge 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. It was the second concrete floating bridge constructed in Washington State and
first opened in 1961. It is our link to civilization. We are grateful to Jon and Sandra for organizing a tour of the facility today,
April 16, 2008. We are also grateful to all the people associated with the Hood Canal who provided us this terrific tour.
and the third longest floating bridge overall. It was the second concrete floating bridge constructed in Washington State and
first opened in 1961. It is our link to civilization. We are grateful to Jon and Sandra for organizing a tour of the facility today,
April 16, 2008. We are also grateful to all the people associated with the Hood Canal who provided us this terrific tour.
Left, view of the bridge looking east
from the west side control tower. Just
in front of the car coming towards me
is the point at which the old bridge
meets the newer portion of the
bridge. The car is on the older
portion about to cross to the other
half of the bridge. The eastern
control tower is just behind the car.
Next year the bridge will be closed
while the old portion is replaced.
Below, a view from the lower level of
the entrance to the western side of
the bridge.
from the west side control tower. Just
in front of the car coming towards me
is the point at which the old bridge
meets the newer portion of the
bridge. The car is on the older
portion about to cross to the other
half of the bridge. The eastern
control tower is just behind the car.
Next year the bridge will be closed
while the old portion is replaced.
Below, a view from the lower level of
the entrance to the western side of
the bridge.
The Klahhanes met on the east side of the bridge. There we were given these cute outfits. We then car pooled to the middle of
the bridge where we drove down a ramp to the lower level. Normally, the public is not given access to this part of the bridge.
That is what made this a special occasion.
the bridge where we drove down a ramp to the lower level. Normally, the public is not given access to this part of the bridge.
That is what made this a special occasion.
There were numerous openings and covers giving entrance to the pontoons on
which the bridge floats. We were permitted to peer down into the pontoons. We
had been promised the opportunity to climb down into these pontoons, but that
offer was rescinded when we arrived. Some of the ladders went down very deep.
which the bridge floats. We were permitted to peer down into the pontoons. We
had been promised the opportunity to climb down into these pontoons, but that
offer was rescinded when we arrived. Some of the ladders went down very deep.
Most boats navigate under the openings at each end of the bridge. However, some
vessels such as the nuclear submarines, must come through the center of the bridge.
This requires opening the bridge. There are two sections at the middle of the bridge
that must be pulled back in order for large vessels to come through. Four 75 hp
engines including the engine on the right are used to open the bridge. While that
seems like a small number of bridge openings, it is considerable considering the
amount of traffic that crosses the bridge. It is one reason we allow extra time to go to
the airport. On occasion, the bridge has gotten stuck in the open position.
The bridge is tied by cable to numerous under water anchors, each weighing a million
pounds.
These wheels keep the pontoons in position as they move open.
vessels such as the nuclear submarines, must come through the center of the bridge.
This requires opening the bridge. There are two sections at the middle of the bridge
that must be pulled back in order for large vessels to come through. Four 75 hp
engines including the engine on the right are used to open the bridge. While that
seems like a small number of bridge openings, it is considerable considering the
amount of traffic that crosses the bridge. It is one reason we allow extra time to go to
the airport. On occasion, the bridge has gotten stuck in the open position.
The bridge is tied by cable to numerous under water anchors, each weighing a million
pounds.
These wheels keep the pontoons in position as they move open.
Cool looking anemones grow along the sides of the bridge. The anemones were very large. Unfortunately, none of the
Klahhanes wanted to jump in so you could have something to compare for size. Note the cogs used to move the center pieces.
of the bridge.
Klahhanes wanted to jump in so you could have something to compare for size. Note the cogs used to move the center pieces.
of the bridge.
Left, looking east from below towards the east ramp on to
the bridge.
the bridge.