Less than 11 months after it was damaged by floodwaters, the Railroad Bridge trestle has reopened for pedestrian and bicycle traffic across the Dungeness River.

The bridge opened December 24^th in time for Christmas traffic. A grand opening ceremony and celebration took place on December 30^th, with a cedar bough cutting, speeches by local dignitaries, and a blessing and sage smudging by Tribal Elder Patrick Adams.

The new 750-foot steel truss trestle connects the historic Howe Truss Bridge to the west side of the river floodplain and channel meander, and with only four large piers, it is significantly friendlier to migrating salmon than were the multiple creosote pilings of the old trestle.

The Tribe is pleased to have been able to work with the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, WA Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration (PSAR), Floodplains by Design program, North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity for Salmon, Federal Highway Administration, and the Peninsula Trails Coalition to replace the trestle in such a timely manner.

With a $100,000 grant from First Federal Savings and Loan, the next step is to briefly close the bridge in order to pour the concrete decking. This will take place, weather-permitting, in early 2016.