Washington’s capital budget bill approved by the Legislature over the weekend includes the release of $75 million in transportation funding specifically to replace the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge.  It also calls for an additional $50 million in future funding bringing the Washington total to $125 million on the project.  When Governor Jay Inslee signs the bill into law, the bi-state bridge replacement project will draw significantly closer to full funding.  Committed funding for the project’s projected total cost of $520 million is now about 35% percent complete.  Passage of Oregon’s Senate Bill 431 would commit a further $125 million to the project. Funding from both states, combined with the local commitment through toll backed financing, will position the project to receive up to $200 million in federal grants, fully funding the project.  The project’s committed funding is now complete enough for the project team to pursue a contract for design and to fund various kinds of surveying and other data-gathering efforts that precede design and construction.  Local officials would like to see the replacement bridge completed and operating in 2029.