The Port of Hood River Commission approved administrative rules governing potential public/private partnerships for a new Hood River Interstate Bridge.  The adoption comes after a process that included two public hearings.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the rules are substantially similar to the Oregon Department of Transportation as called for under a bill that passed in the 2017 Legislature, but the Port Commission did remove the section on unsolicited proposals with the blessing of ODOT and lawmakers.  That means the rules do not allow an unsolicited proposal.  The Port board also approved entering into contract negotiations with WSP Engineering to do the environmental studies related to the bridge.  A selection committee had found WSP Engineering as the highest ranked firm to seek the contract, and McElwee hopes they can wrap up a deal in the couple of weeks.