Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority representatives met with Oregon legislators and their staff last week seeking the commitment for the state to come through with $105 million for construction of a new Interstate Bridge quickly next session.  That would complete Oregon’s $125 million share for bridge construction.  Authority board member Mike Fox says they are stressing the importance of getting the money confirmed early next year.  He adds the challenge is without a commitment in early 2025, they won’t have a chance to start construction in October of 2025, and that will mean costs for the $520 million project will go up.  Fox says they have gotten great support so far, but there is a lot of pressure on the state budget.  He adds that’s why they will need local citizens later this year to attest to the importance of a new bridge for region.