Long Bridge work planned this summer

SANDPOINT — A $2.2 million repair project on the iconic Long Bridge and its parallel pedestrian bridge is slated for this year.

The project involves repairs to the submerged piers on both bridges, plus an epoxy overlay on the surface of the vehicle bridge, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. Scott Fellom, an ITD spokesman in Coeur d'Alene, said the epoxy being applied to the bridge deck is meant to improve skid resistance.

Fellom said the overlay work will affect traffic flow and cause delays.

“The project hasn't been awarded yet,” said Fellom.

The epoxy overlay and pier work is tracking for early summer, said Fellom. The pier work will occur beneath the bridge and therefore will not affect traffic. It's also hoped the pier work can be conducted before Lake Pend Oreille begins filling to its summer pool elevation.

Repairs will also be made to selected bents on the pedestrian bridge, according to Idaho Transportation Department bidding documents.

Bents are rigid steel structures that support beams and girders.

The state also plans to put out for bid a $1 million project to replace the Cocolalla Creek Bridge on U.S. Highway 95 in July. It is tentatively being planned for the 2017 construction season.

The project to replace the deteriorating span was selected for funding through House Bill 312, which was signed into law last year.

The bill raised the gas tax 7 cents per gallon, in addition to raising vehicle registration fees and adopting a fee for hybrid vehicles.

The tax and fee hikes were sought to catch up on a daunting backlog of repairs to state highways and bridges in Idaho.

The bill is forecasted to raise nearly $95 million a year, although it still falls well short of the $262 million annual shortfall in operating, preserving and restoring state highway infrastructure.

“It represents compromise, concession and a realization that — in the face of apparent intransigence — something indeed is better than nothing.

“In fact, H 312 is a respectable start on a multi-year effort to provide for the longterm needs of our transportation infrastructure, including hundreds of bridges throughout Idaho that every day are reaching the end of their safe lifespans,” Otter said upon the bill's passage.