On Sunday, a day when many people like to actually drive across the Hood Canal Bridge, it was shut down for seven hours after a span was stuck at an uneven angle. Turns out the mistake was due to “human error” not — as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) initially claimed — a “technical malfunction.”
In other words, WSDOT screwed up — again.
The Seattle Times reported that WSDOT “learned later that one of four hydraulic lift cylinders on the span piece didn’t have enough hydraulic fluid, because a valve ‘was inadvertently left closed’ after preventive maintenance last week, on parts built in 1984.”
A WSDOT official stated that the agency is “so sorry for the inconvenience and travel disruptions this incident caused to mariners and motorists alike … This mistake is a humbling reminder of how important [WSDOT crews’] work is, and how important it is for them to be focused and diligent at all times.”
The latest example of WSDOT’s incompetency comes after the State Auditor’s office released a performance audit that detailed quite a few of the agency’s failures.
Once again, WSDOT proves its utter incompetency and its willingness to mislead the public about its own errors — at the taxpayers’ expense.
Is smoking dope on the job legal out there?
They should have a checklist to follow when doing maintenance.
Or more competent employees.
They should get rid of this damned floating bridge and build an expansion bridge so the public is not inconvenienced CONSTANTLY during a day of openings and closings and waiting….waiting….waiting. It is sooo infuriating to be late to appointments in Kitsap County because of this old, outdated bridge. The ONLY opening I don’t mind waiting for is our submarines and crew….they have my respect and as far as I’m concerened….the right of way.
Also the Port Townsend ferry missed two sailings that day.and the back up there was four boats. Many of us drove around the Sound to get home.