In a split vote, the Port of Hood River Commission has decided to wait until next year to submit an application for federal funds to begin work towards a new Interstate Bridge rather than getting one in by this week’s deadline.  Commissioners Rich McBride and Hoby Streich voted to wait, while Jon Davies and Brian Shortt voted to put in the application now.  Fred Duckwall could not attend the meeting.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says regardless of the timing of an application, the panel is united in their efforts to move forward to get plans for a new bridge in place as part of the federal government’s five-year Fastlane program which specifically mentions National Scenic Areas as part of the criteria.  Waiting until next year does allow more time to identify the exact source of a required 40 percent local match for funding.