OLYMPIA, Wash. — Mechanical issues led to an extended closure of the State Route 104 Hood Canal Bridge, for both vehicle and marine traffic, Sunday morning.
During an 8 a.m. marine opening, the bridge experienced a malfunction on its western half and was unable to fully close.
We are working to manually close the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge. No ETA of reopening. pic.twitter.com/gNtVgPkryc
— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) July 10, 2016
State Department of Transportation crews had to manually close the bridge span, then inspect it, before cars were allowed back on the road.
Drivers traveling between the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas were forced to use US 101 or make ferry plans.
DRIVERS: Hood Canal Bridge is closed until further notice due to mechanical issues. Use alt routes. @wsdot_traffic pic.twitter.com/WRUGIVVHqC
— #Q13FOX (@Q13FOX) July 10, 2016
Both directions of the bridge reopened shortly before 3 p.m.
And they're off! The first cars cross the Hood Canal Bridge after ~7 hour closure @wsdot_tacoma pic.twitter.com/9Bsc6zw8bB
— #Q13FOX (@Q13FOX) July 10, 2016
WSDOT has not said what caused the malfunction.