Inspections of the Hood Canal Bridge will cause multiple openings of the draw span in March, officials with the state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.

Travelers who cross the Hood Canal Bridge are being encouraged to plan for additional time to get across the span on weekdays in early March. 

Starting March 1, the Washington State Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews will conduct an in-depth inspection of the bridge.

The inspections require opening the draw span multiple times, officials said.

During the draw span openings, the bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic, bicyclists and pedestrians.

The inspection schedule is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, March 1 through Friday, March 5.

The following week, the schedule is 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Monday, March 8 through Friday, March 12

The typical duration of each draw span closure to traffic can last 15 minutes to one hour.

WSDOT said every effort will be made to minimize impacts to traffic and keep the closures as short as possible. 

This includes crews who will combine inspection-related openings with marine openings when possible.

The in-depth examination of the Hood Canal Bridge is described as a required "Blue-Ribbon inspection" that will include an overall assessment of the bridge’s mechanical and electrical systems. 

All of WSDOT's floating bridges undergo similar inspections.

The inspections have to be done during the day so crews can see inside tight spaces and get detailed observations on bridge components and operations.

Drivers are encouraged to sign up for Hood Canal Bridge email updates and check on the Hoodcanalbridge.com web page.