Popsicle Bridge receives makeover

PONDERAY — The new and improved Popsicle Bridge made its debut this week following collaborative efforts between the city of Ponderay and local businesses, including Mountain Metals LLC.

The bridge railing was aged and failing and the east abutment was undermined by water prior to the upgrade, KayLeigh Miller, Ponderay planning director, said. After identifying these hazards for pedestrians and bicyclists, the city applied for, and was awarded, a $50,000 Child and Pedestrian Safety grant. 

With these funds, the city was able to collaborate with local businesses and entities to make the necessary repairs. To complete the project, the Independent Highway District provided labor and equipment to replace the undermined and failing bridge abutment, Mountain Metals provided labor and shop time to construct and install the new railing, and In and Out Painting assisted with removing the debris from the old dilapidated railing, Miller said. 

The bridge’s design was born out of input from the city of Ponderay, HMH Engineering, and Mountain Metal’s design team, Tim Wilson, Mountain Metals general manager, said.  With combined resources, the teams came up with a design that was durable and efficient, including elements that could be integrated into the existing structure which included steel channels in the edges where the new guardrail could be welded to.  

“We then laser scanned the bridge to get the locations of all these channels and developed a 3D model of the steel in our modeling software,” Wilson said. “It was then built in our shop, and after a long delay because of other projects, we finally had some decent weather to get down and demo the old guardrail and weld down the new. Jose Chavez put in some extra time and did a great job coordinating almost all of the work on site even though he has a new baby girl at home.”

Wilson said the city decided to use corten steel for the project, which he described as very unique because instead of rusting all the way through, it forms a protective layer of rust over the steel. 

"The goal was to create a safe railing that was strong to ensure it would stay in place, using materials that are durable enough to stand the test of time and that require little maintenance,” Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger said. 

Mountain Metals developed a relationship with the city of Ponderay when the company moved from Sandpoint to Ponderay in 2018, Wilson said. 

“... Mayor Geiger heard that we moved out of Sandpoint because of our frustrations with the local option tax,” Wilson said. “He heard about our frustrations and walked into our office late one night, introduced himself and asked for input on the then proposed local option tax that was ultimately passed here in Ponderay to build their Field of Dreams project.”

Wilson said he enjoys small-town communities because there are so many opportunities to collaborate and chances to contribute and be active. 

“The bridge repairs were all engineered by HMH through the city and we were just part of the team that was put together, " Wilson said. “We volunteered to supply all of the labor for the steel work and the city of Ponderay purchased the materials. 

Mayor Geiger expressed his gratitude for the grant funding and local contributions that made the project possible. 

"The Ponderay community is so amazing and incredibly generous," Geiger said. “They continually come together showing small-town North Idaho community values and make projects happen. Tim with Mountain Metals is a fantastic example of local businesses getting involved. He is always one of the first to jump in and ask how he can help."