The Port of Hood River will begin getting ready to put together a final environmental impact statement for a project to replace the Interstate Bridge with the inclusion of five million dollars in funding for bridge replacement planning work as part of the transportation package approved earlier this month by the Oregon Legislature.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the EIS is a crucial step in moving forward.  Engineering will be taken to a 20% level, which will provide understanding of where the bridge will be located in the river and on the shore, becoming the basis of a thorough evaluation.  The state funding will also help pay for some additional geotechnical work and doing alternative financial feasibility models.  McElwee does add the state has not indicated when the Port will receive the funding so they can proceed with the work.