Hood Canal Bridge reopens after mechanical issue forced lengthy shutdown



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.



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.



Both directions of the bridge reopened shortly before 3 p.m.



WSDOT has not said what caused the malfunction.