HOOD RIVER, Ore. — The Hood River-White Salmon bridge replacement project has completed the federal environmental review process and received clearance to begin construction — although the $1.12 billion project is currently only about halfway funded, with a $532 million federal grant application still in progress.

The environmental review process culminates in the release of a document called a Record of Decision from the Federal Highway Administration. The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, a consortium of local governments formed to manage the project, announced the milestone in a news release on Wednesday.

"This is a pivotal moment for our region," said Authority co-chair Mike Fox. "The Record of Decision affirms years of environmental review, public engagement, tribal part

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