Fifth bridge approved for state-funded repairs

SANDPOINT — Five Bonner County bridges needing dire repairs have been approved for funding through the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program. The fifth and final bridge will be reconstructed this year, said Road and Bridge Director Jason Topp at the Tuesday commissioners’ meeting.

In 2022, Gov. Brad Little signed an agreement that allows up to $200 million in funds for the repair and rebuilding of bridges across Idaho that are in disarray. 

“Bonner County submitted five applications for bridges to be considered and all five of the bridges have been selected for funding of replacements,” he said.

The Eastshore Road bridge over Hunt Creek outside Priest Lake — the last of those five bridges — has needed repairs for years, and through this state program, it will be reconstructed at no cost to the county, Topp said, which he said is a big deal as bridge repairs can be extremely expensive.

“So am I to understand correctly — the state is replacing five bridges at no cost to Bonner County?” Commissioner Luke Omodt asked. “Well done.”

Topp said it was a big deal that every bridge application in Bonner County received funding — saving taxpayers over $21.4 million worth of bridge repair funds.