Bridge work set to start Sunday

Work to improve the Long Bridge's driving surface is set to start Sunday, Feb. 25.

Idaho Transportation Department officials said the work on the bridge, which will reinforce and protect its driving surface, will take place at night.

"Taking advantage of the mild winter weather, crews are getting a jump start on this project early in the season by first grinding down the existing roadway," Heather McDaniel, ITD public information officer, said. 

Crews will return this summer to resurface the bridge to provide better traction and protect it from regular wear and tear from traffic and the weather, McDaniel said.

The initial phase of the project is expected to take up to two weeks. All work will be completed overnight from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to avoid slowing down traffic during the day, the public information officer said.

"Flaggers will be staged at either end of the bridge allowing a single, alternating lane of traffic to pass while crews work their way across the structure," she said.

The work set for later this summer will take approximately one month to complete, ITD officials said. The project will be handled in a similar manner, with work slated for nighttime hours with traffic reduced to a single lane.

Project Manager Steve Nettleton said the work is necessary upkeep on the bridge surface.

“By doing this work now, we’re able to take a different approach to grinding the deck and get the work done much quicker,” Nettleton said.

Drivers should plan for delays during both projects as well as utilize Idaho’s 511 system for real-time updates.