Deception Pass Bridge News

November 2021 Update:

Looks like zero reporting from any source Re: What wind speed is required to shut down traffic on the Deception Pass Bridge.

Nov 16, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

High winds rip across Whidbey

“The first big wind storm of the season toppled a semi truck on Deception Pass Bridge Monday.”

“The semi truck, which was leaning precariously on the inner wire railings on the bridge, blocked traffic for about eight hours, beginning at around 1:30 p.m. The driver of the truck wasn’t injured and managed to get out of the cab before first responders got there.”

“The fire chief said it was too windy for much of the night to safely operate the towing equipment necessary to remove the damaged truck from the bridge; continued strong winds might have blown the towing equipment and truck over the edge.”

Nov 15, 2021 KIRO 7 News

Semitruck tips on Deception Pass bridge

January 2021 incident:

Jan 13, 2021 KOMO News

Mail semi nearly blown off Deception Pass Bridge during windstorm

“And the relentless wind gusts clocked as high as 64 mph at the nearby Naval Air Station continued to slam against the passenger side of the cab, making it too difficult to open the door. So the 60-year-old driver had to climb through the passenger side window.”

Jan 13, 2021 KING 5 News

Semi-truck partially hanging over Deception Pass Bridge removed; SR 20 now open

Axtman said a tow truck couldn’t tip the truck upright for more than four hours due to high winds and “the possibility of it blowing over again.”

Other bridges in the region will shut down during high winds:

Dec 31, 2019 KIRO 7 News

Hood Canal Bridge reopens after closure for high winds

“According to WSDOT, the bridge will generally close to traffic and crews may open its draw spans during storms with wind speeds over 40 mph that are sustained for at least 15 minutes to relieve pressure on the bridge.”

Dec 31, 2019 Peninsula Daily News

Hood Canal Bridge sees several closures due to high winds

“Closing the bridge to traffic by opening the drawspan helps relieve intense pressure on the bridge,” DOT said.

Oct 13, 2016 Kitsap Sun

How strong must winds be to close Narrows bridges?

“We don’t have a specific wind speed criterion for closing the bridge; it’s a call we make based on the (following) criteria, and we err on the side of public safety,” she said.

“Staff at our Traffic Management Center monitor the wind blowing across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge decks in three ways, all low-tech and all effective:

1) They monitor the wind socks on the bridges and issuing a warning when the socks are fully extended.

2) They monitor how well motorists, and large trucks in particular, are staying in their lanes.

3) they use input from WSP and other partners to help gauge when winds are getting unruly.

“We care more about the safety of drivers crossing the bridges than we do about the nautical correctness of the term or the frequency with which the wind conditions justify the warning. After all, it is not unknown for semis to be blown over while trying to cross those bridges.”

Feb 18, 2018 Q13 FOX

Wind and waves close Westbound I-90 floating bridge for 4 hours

“Washington State Department of Transportation says maintenance crews close the floating bridge at 2:18 p.m. when sustained northerly wind speeds reach 26 mph with wave reached at least 2 feet.”

“WSDOT said the closure is necessary in order to prevent damage to the bridge.”

Question for newspeople:

Does the Deception Pass Bridge close to traffic during high winds?

Love to see newspeople showing initiative and curiosity in asking questions.

People who take no public funds or private donations are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press?