Not too far, but far enough to be closed to traffic.
What a cluster *^#@ this is going to cause with summer tourists, thankfully we don't have clam tides right now!

Yeah, I heard on the news something like 76 of the 170+ pilings are eroded and not even supporting the structure. Yikes! Traffic is going to suck, but suck slightly less than going into the river!

When you break eggs....

So, if the 84 year old bridge has seen her life-span end, would it make sense to put a replacement over on Bay? This may be an opportunity to deal with the "Industrial By-Pass" and deal with Hoquiam's down town.

Good point Stash.

It's an opportunity for endless squabbles, especially over who will pay the bill.
I don't know how the Simpson Bridge compares in size and complexity with the South Park Bridge in Seattle, but they're estimating $131 million to replace that one.

Toll bridge, anyone?

Yeah a toll bridge! That would be awesome. Its time has come, maybe locals could just pay an annual fee and get a DOT transponder.

Whatever they do hopefully it is done soon for the sake of Hoquiam's business community. One business already lost a customer today.

There is a Hoquiam business I have frequented for years (long before any election). I was unable to get there due to traffic being backed up all the way to Myrtle St when I tried . I gave up and went to a simliar merchant not locally owned located in my city. Obviously I try to keep the tax dollars in my city but I also use those businesses that provide consistently good service regardless of the city they are located.

I'm assuming part of the problem was the fact it was Friday in the summer. I'm thinking traffic will get at least a little better Monday-Thursday and after Sept 8th.

I can just imagine how bad it is going to be for the rest of summer. The Simpson Bridge was down last year while Rognlins did work on it. It was winter and there were no problems. It was shut down a couple times for paving late in the afternoon/early evening in summer. There were horrible backups. After Labor Day during a shutdown there was not much problem.

I cannot imagine what they are going to do for wide loads now.

A cheat for those that need it and a disgusting one for those waiting in line. Go down the Industrial Route, turn down the street/alley behind the skating rink and come out at the Farmers Market.


It works well for emergencies.

Well, good on ya for trying to get there. Any Hoquiam_boy worth his salt would tell you to either go to the Industrial Route or stay in the left hand lane and head to Cherry Street as soon as you hit the back up. Getting in to Hoquiam doesn't take that long. Getting out takes a bit... but not much longer. If you happen to be coming from Ocean Shores, however, the back up could be intollerable. I'd head to Paulsen Road as soon as possible.

I went out to Cedar Falls Nursery and back earlier today and had no problem at all.

I'm aware of all the "shortcuts". I'm sure you remember I'm kind of in the business of knowing streets/routes, etc. Point is the traffic was horrendous. It was much worse than I usually see when the bridge is closed which is why I mentioned summer weekend traffic.

And something to rememeber is most who live on this side of the bridge, especially those not residents of the city, will not bother going that way if it is a pain and unnecessary.

No matter how much I want to see my city succeed I also do not want to see another city suffer particularly its businesses.

Of course I'm also thinking this might be the final nail in the coffin of any consideration of a Hoquiam site for the pontoon project.

Traffic was backed up all the way to Myrtle? That's not good.

This was at about 3pm. Not sure if it was better before or after that.

We came from AB to HOQ around 6:15 with only minor slow-downs. Probably an extra 2-3 minutes max from about Fairway Grocery to the turn onto Emerson.

But, yeah, some times of day are going to be horrible.

I think it's odd none of this was discovered when they did all the work before the grand re-opening awhile back.

And I agree it's time to lobby for a new, wider-lane bridge crossing at Bay crossing over to near Anderson-Middleton. Then use the A-M area for public restrooms, small visitor's kiosk, RV dumpsite and RV parking, then have a red trolley doing a shuttle every 15 minutes or so from the parking area to downtown. Hoquiam than could become a nice, little downtown that's nice to walk in without dodging traffic. It could be the beginning of the rebirth.

Yeah, I kind of had that "Oh, D'uh!" moment. But, it's not the first time.

Many businesses are right on the edge of folding. This might be the straw that does it.

I have never done much business on that side of the bridge. The Harley shop and USBank are about it but my sympathies are with them all because this is going to be tough.

And 13 corners is also closed, that way would be a great way to avoid the mess if coming or going to Montesano and beyond from 101 North.

Folks from the north can take the Wishkah Rd. to avoid the bridge to get the Aberdeen.

guess we're 'shelter in place' at my house today...friend has a scanner and traffic is already backed up! dang it, I was hoping to check out the sales at the B Street Thrift store.

not worth the aggravation, though.