When the Oregon Transportation Commission met in Hood River last week, Port of Hood River Executive Director Michael McElwee spoke to them about the need for replacement of the Port’s Interstate Bridge.  McElwee says he wanted to deliver a clear message, telling the panel the bridge is “old, seismically deficient, functionally obsolete, and needs to be replaced.”  He added the Oregon Department of Transportation needs to engage more positively and actively in efforts underway to replace the bridge.  McElwee also told the group he was not happy with communication with ODOT during the closure of Interstate 84 that resulted from the June 3 oil train derailment in Mosier, saying they didn’t hear from ODOT to ask for the Port to open up the toll bridge until 30 minutes after local law enforcement asked for it, and received no communication on the freeway being reopened.