09/14/2026
Emergency Management hears about Hoh River Bridge repairs
The North Coast Operational Area meeting was held Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Clallam Bay, with WSDOT representatives Littleton Dudley and Melissa Mies providing an update on the Hoh River Bridge closure and upcoming emergency repairs.
The 95-year-old bridge, located at milepost 176.5 on US 101, carries about 1,400 vehicles a day and is the only connection between the West End and Grays Harbor County for residents, tourists, freight and emergency services.
During a routine inspection earlier this summer, WSDOT bridge engineers discovered cracks in several floor beams, along with extensive rust and corrosion. The beams were designed to slide as the bridge expands and contracts, but corrosion has prevented that movement, changing how the bridge’s weight is carried and contributing to the cracking.
On July 14, WSDOT reduced the bridge to one lane of alternating traffic with temporary signals and lowered the speed limit to 25 mph. However, WSDOT officials said they did not believe the bridge could safely remain open through the winter, leading to the current emergency closure and repair project.
The near-term emergency repair, estimated at $2 million, will replace four floor beams, install new sliding bearing plates and joints, clean and paint critical portions of the structure, and replace some rivets. The work is intended to keep the bridge operational under one-way traffic restrictions until a larger long-term repair can be completed.
The long-term project is estimated at nearly $10 million and will include replacing additional floor beams and painting the entire bridge.
Multiple full closures planned
The emergency repairs will require several overnight closures followed by up to three full, around-the-clock closures lasting as long as six days each. The first overnight closure was scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, but changed Monday morning to Tuesday, Sept. 15, with the first extended closure scheduled to begin Sept. 24 at 5 a.m.
WSDOT said the schedule could change depending on weather, construction discoveries and the results of bridge inspections. Workers will be operating from platforms on the bridge, making high winds and heavy rain potential causes for delays.
There is a possibility the work could be completed ahead of schedule. If everything goes well, WSDOT said the third extended closure may not be necessary. However, officials stressed that the current schedule is intentionally conservative because additional problems may be discovered once the bridge is opened up for repairs.
Each extended closure will be followed by a daytime bridge inspection before traffic is allowed to resume.
There is no alternate route across the Hoh River. Drivers traveling between Forks and Hoquiam will have to take US 101 around Hood Canal, a trip that could take approximately four hours.
Emergency responders will have pedestrian access across the bridge during closures, but the pedestrian route will not be open to the general public.
WSDOT is coordinating with Forks Community Hospital, Lake Quinault-area emergency services, Clallam County PUD, law enforcement agencies, the Hoh Tribe, Olympic Corrections Center, local school districts and other agencies to address essential travel and emergency needs during the closure.
WSDOT’s Travel Center map and traffic alerts will provide the most current information on closures and reopenings.
WSDOT representatives emphasized that the bridge work is necessary to keep the aging structure safe and operating for as long as possible, while acknowledging the significant disruption the closures will cause for West End residents, businesses and visitors.
Another concern mentioned was Forest Service Road 30, an evacuation route between Highway 112 and US 101. The road was scheduled to close Sept. 14 and remain closed until at least Oct. 16 while major landslide repairs are completed.
Other discussion included the Clallam Bay Walk Map for emergency planning, the release of the latest Alaska tsunami modeling, potential flooding impacts on coastal communities and rivers in Clallam County, and available grant opportunities.
