Great story on the history of Deception Pass Bridge and its future. The only issue that raises my concern is the section titled, “Not on the radar.”

Is it just me or did it strike anyone else as an odd response, coming from the same WSDOT that suddenly shut down ferry service with next to no notice? Who is to say the same thing won’t happen with the bridge?

I’m sure the original designers never would have conceived of the amount of traffic the bridge currently sees or the weight loads to which it is now subjected. There were not many semi’s or double dumper rock trucks capable of carrying 40,000 pounds in 1935.

I’m sure there are plenty of Boeing and Navy engineers on the island who understand the stress cyclic fatigue, stress corrosion cracking and brittle fracture can have on old steel whose metallurgy was not nearly as well understood in 1935 as it is today.

To state that they have not even started thinking about a plan for replacement for a 75-year-old bridge, is almost criminal. This bridge should probably have permanently installed strain gauges to monitor for changing conditions. Don’t forget it is also the conduit for the Oak Harbor and NAS water supply. How much and how long are you willing to risk, having access to the north end of the island?

Dave Flomerfelt

Oak Harbor