Billion-dollar bridge boondoggle

Clallam County Watchdog · Jul 1, 2025 · 36m

Local tribes and an NGO are exploring a costly and disruptive replacement of the Hood Canal Bridge—not because it’s failing, but because of concerns that it may confuse migrating salmon. The project, still in early stages, is backed by NOAA and tribal partners like the Jamestown S’Klallam, raising questions about priorities, influence, and who’s really footing the bill in a state already struggling to maintain basic infrastructure. Is this about fish—or something bigger?

In a region struggling to maintain its roads, Washington may be heading toward one of the most expensive—and…