The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority

Our Mission

The authority is responsible for the design, construction, long-term operation and maintenance of the new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge, ensuring it serves bridge users for decades to come.

Our Vision

The new bridge will provide a safe, affordable, modern crossing for people and commerce via different modes of transportation, benefiting community members and the area’s economy. The bridge will exist in harmony with local cultural practices, and its design will complement the natural beauty of the area and help protect the local ecosystem.

Our Values

The following values guide all of the authority’s actions:

  • Safety

  • Efficiency

  • Equity

  • Integrity

  • Collaboration

  • Transparency

About the Bridge Authority

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority was formed in July 2023 to oversee the planning, financing, design and construction of the new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge. Following construction, the authority will control operations, maintenance and toll-setting for the new bridge. The authority is governed by a board of six voting commissioners, with Klickitat County and Hood River County appointing three members each.    

You can read the full Commission Formation Agreement, the document that created the Bridge Authority, here or on our Project Documents page.

Read the full announcement

Bridge commissioners, from left to right: Grant Polson, Seth Gilchrist, Nathan DeVol, Jacob Edwards, Jacob Anderson, Doug Gibson, Kathryn Thomas, Eric Wilson, Arthur Babitz and Mike Fox. Not pictured: Ben Berger.

Rendering of potential bridge design

Bridge Authority Commissioners

Appointed by Klickitat County:

  • Jacob Anderson, Commissioner, Klickitat County (Second Co-Chair), Term expires 1/1/28

  • Doug Gibson, resident, Klickitat County, Term expires 1/1/30

  • Eric Wilson, resident, Klickitat County, Term expires 1/1/28

Alternates:

  • Vacant position, resident, Klickitat County

  • Mark Flaming, resident, Klickitat County, Term expires 1/1/28

  • Ben Berger, resident, Klickitat County, Term expires 1/1/30

Appointed by Hood River County:

  • Mike Fox, Commissioner, Port of Hood River (First Co-Chair), Term expires 1/5/30

  • Arthur Babitz, Commissioner, Hood River County, Term expires 1/5/30

  • Grant Polson, Council Member, City of Hood River, Term expires 12/31/27

Alternates:

  • Kathryn Thomas, resident, Hood River County, Term expires 12/31/27

  • Nathan DeVol, resident, Hood River County, Term expires 1/5/30

  • Jacob Edwards, resident, Hood River County, Term expires 1/5/30

Bridge Authority Commissioners