[PTChamber] Hood Canal Bridge Closures

[PT Chamber of Commerce]

Dear Chamber members:

WSDOT has announced two 78-hour Hood Canal Bridge closures scheduled 
for this summer. According to Lloyd Brown WSDOT Communications 
Director, the construction schedule shows two 78-hour closures 
(Friday to Monday) for approach span installation. One in August, and 
one after Labor Day.

It is our understanding from WSDOT that the closures must take place 
on the weekend.

The Chamber will be attending the Olympic Peninsula Joint Marketing 
meeting Thursday, February 3rd, to confer with the tourism 
representatives from the communities of Clallam and Jefferson 
counties. Our intent is to recommend to WSDOT the two weekend closure 
dates.

The two weekend dates to be recommended from Port Townsend's 
perspective are August 26-28, and September 23-25.

To help mitigate the bridge closure on the closure weekends, the 
Chamber will propose to the City Lodging Tax Committee a cooperative 
effort to operate Seattle-Port Townsend passenger-only ferry service. 
In addition, the Chamber has notified Washington State Ferries 
requesting additional runs and/or extended service for the Port 
Townsend-Keystone route.

The Chamber believes the closure dates must be confirmed as soon as 
possible in order to plan for effective detour routes and promote the 
impacted events accordingly.

Please advise at your earliest convenience your thoughts on this 
important activity.

-- 
Tim Caldwell
General Manager
Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce
tim at ptchamber.org
http://www.ptchamber.org
360-385-7869