The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority

Our Mission

The authority is responsible for the design, construction, long-term operation and maintenance of the new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge, ensuring it serves bridge users for decades to come.

Our Vision

The new bridge will provide a safe, affordable, modern crossing for people and commerce via different modes of transportation, benefiting community members and the area’s economy. The bridge will exist in harmony with local cultural practices, and its design will complement the natural beauty of the area and help protect the local ecosystem.

Our Values

The following values guide all of the authority’s actions:

  • Safety

  • Efficiency

  • Equity

  • Integrity

  • Collaboration

  • Transparency

About the Bridge Authority

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority was formed in July 2023 to oversee the planning, financing, design and construction of the new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge. Following construction, the authority will control operations, maintenance and toll-setting for the new bridge. The authority is governed by a board of six voting commissioners, with Klickitat County and Hood River County appointing three members each.    

Oregon and Washington divided into regions: Hood River, Port of Hood River, Hood River County in Oregon; White Salmon, Bingen, and Klickitat County in Washington.

You can read the full Commission Formation Agreement, the document that created the Bridge Authority, here or on our Project Documents page.

Bridge commissioners, from left to right: Grant Polson, Seth Gilchrist, Nathan DeVol, Jacob Edwards, Jacob Anderson, Doug Gibson, Kathryn Thomas, Eric Wilson, Arthur Babitz and Mike Fox. Not pictured: Marla Keethler and Ben Berger.

Rendering of potential bridge design

Bridge Authority Commissioners

Appointed by Klickitat County:

  • Jacob Anderson, Commissioner, Klickitat County (Second Co-Chair)

  • Marla Keethler, Mayor, City of White Salmon

  • Doug Gibson, resident, Klickitat County

Alternates:

  • Seth Gilchrist, resident, Klickitat County

  • Eric Wilson, resident, Klickitat County

  • Ben Berger, resident, Klickitat County

Appointed by Hood River County:

  • Mike Fox, Commissioner, Port of Hood River (First Co-Chair)

  • Arthur Babitz, Commissioner, Hood River County

  • Grant Polson, Council Member, City of Hood River

Alternates:

  • Nathan DeVol, resident, Hood River County

  • Jacob Edwards, resident, Hood River County

  • Kathryn Thomas, resident, Hood River County