Infrastructure money for bridge

In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt won the first of four elections for president of the United States. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. Zippo lighters, Skippy peanut butter and a gasoline tax all debuted. "Night & Day" sung by Fred Astaire and Leo Reisman and Bing Crosby's "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" were the two best-selling songs.

That's the same year the steel-and-concrete U.S. Highway 101 bridge over the Skokomish River was built.

Ninety years later, renovations or a complete replacement for the bridge might be on the way after the passage of the federal Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection and Construction Program, also known as the Bridge Formula Program.

In a news release, U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, announced the state will receive more than $605 million for bridges from the bipartisan infrastructure law in the next five years, with $121 million of it available this year.

Kilmer mentioned eight bridges in his district that "have previously been identified as prime candidates for federal investment through preservation and maintenance work," including the Skokomish bridge on 101. The others are the U.S. 101 bridge over the Sol Duc River in Clallam County; the U.S. 101 bridge over the Humptulips River and both Satsop River bridges on U.S. 12 in Grays Harbor County; the U.S. 101 bridge over Big Quilcene River and the state Route 116 bridge over Portage Canal in Jefferson County; and the Port Washington bridge on state Route 303 in Kitsap County.

"Across our region and across our nation, bridges essential to our everyday lives and to our economy have reached dire conditions," Kilmer wrote. "That's why I helped pass the bipartisan infrastructure law - which will make a historic investment in repairing and replacing bridges in our neck of the woods. Repairing our bridges will not only keep folks safe and keep people and commerce moving efficiently, but create good-paying jobs right here in Washington. It's a big deal."

The state Legislature will decide what bridges will receive the funding, Andrew Wright, the communications director for Kilmer, wrote in an email to the Shelton-Mason County Journal.

"However, the U.S. 101 bridge over the Skokomish River has previously been identified by the state Department of Transportation for priority 'unfunded preservation needs,' " he wrote. "We think the bridge would be a very good candidate for the federal investment."

According to Kilmer's office, the U.S. Department of Transportation has identified 416 bridges in the state that are considered in "poor" condition.

The main span of the Skokomish River bridge measures 240 feet, with the entire structure 405 feet. West Coast Construction CO. of Seattle built it. The Pacific Car and Foundry Co. fabricated the steel truss.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides more than $350 billion over five years for surface transportation programs.

The Bridge Formula Program, to be administered by the Federal Highway Administration, is the largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. It provides $26.5 billion to states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico over the five years of the law, and $825 million for tribal transportation facilities.

Nationwide, the Bridge Formula Program is expected to help repair about 15,000 bridges.