Pedestrian bridge work set to start Monday

SAGLE — After delays caused by a wait for materials, construction crews are set to start work on the U.S. 95 pedestrian bridge across Lake Pend Oreille on Monday.

The work on the pedestrian bridge is part of repairs to both the walking and vehicular bridges across Lake Pend Oreille. As part of the pedestrian bridge project, crews will replace the expansion joints that allow the bridge to expand and contract with weather, Megan Jahns, ITD public information officer, said.

"We are replacing the old joints with a new type that will be easier to walk or ride over," Jahns told the Daily Bee. "The contractor will also be repairing the walking surface near the joints."

The path underneath the bridge on the south end is expected to be open by the Fourth of July. In addition, all work on the pedestrian bridge is expect to be completed by late September.

During the work, width of the structure will be reduced roughly by half, but only when crews on are on site, Jahns said.

Crews will not be on site during city events or weekends, she said.

Repairs to the vehicle and pedestrian bridges on U.S. 95 are meant to extend the service life of the spans. And while the $9.7 million project is scheduled to last two years, ITD officials said previously that the contractor — McMillen Jacobs Associates — is hoping to complete the work in one.

As part of the project, expansion joints on the vehicle bridge, which helps the structure adjust to changing temperatures, are being replaced. Supporting structure beneath the bridge deck will also be repaired. In addition, a protective coating will be applied to the bridge's guardrail, Jahns said.

Navigation lights beneath both bridges will be replaced with more energy-efficient lamps that will require less maintenance.

On the pedestrian bridge, built in 1956, portions of the walking surface will be replaced and joints connecting different the sections will be replaced with ones that are flush with bridge deck, making them easier to walk across and less of a trip hazard, ITD officials said previously.

The state spent $2 million in 2016 to re-seal the deck of the vehicle bridge and repair supporting structures. The upcoming repairs are the result of a 2018 study that identified maintenance items to be addressed to allow both structures to reach 100 years in service, according to ITD.

Work on the top part of the pedestrian bridge is expected to take about two-and-a-half months. The usable width of the bridge will be reduced, giving crews space to work but allowing pedestrians to still walk across.

Work on the vehicle bridge, built in 1981, is expected to begin in early August. Most of the work will be done on weekdays and at night and limited to one lane at a time.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.