Bridge work set to begin in Kellogg
The Bunker Avenue Bridge over the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River in Kellogg is schedule to be repaired as part of Gov. Brad Little's Leading Idaho bridge project.
Photo by MOLLY ROBERTS
KELLOGG — Traffic in Kellogg is going to be different as work begins on the Bunker Avenue Bridge.
The 55-year-old bridge sits adjacent to the Interstate 90, exit 49 overpass and spans the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River in one of Kellogg’s most heavily trafficked areas.
Work is scheduled to begin later this month, and the bridge will be closed to all traffic beginning April 14.
Last month, the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council announced that Rathdrum-based construction company LaRiviere Inc., had been awarded the project, which includes the demolition of the old bridge and the construction of the new crossing.
LaRiviere’s bid of $3.4 million was roughly $800,000 lower than what LHTAC originally estimated for the project in late 2023 and was the lowest bid received to complete the 158-foot long, 47-foot-wide structure. According to the project details, the new structure will be 11 feet wider than the current bridge.
During the project, traffic is expected to be heavily impacted in different areas of Kellogg, especially near I-90 exits 50 and 51, Hill Street and Division Street as people attempt to access the southern half of the city.
Shoshone County Fire District No. 2, which has a firehouse on the south side of the river just past the bridge, will also see some impacts to its response times, according to Chief Scott Dietrich.
“It will slow us up some,” Dietrich said. “All responses west will require us to take Bunker Avenue to Hill Street and then to I-90 or McKinley Avenue.”
In August, it was announced the new bridge would be known as Mac Pooler Bridge in honor of the former Kellogg mayor. Pooler, 83, worked closely with LHTAC during his time as mayor. He stepped down from his position last spring.
“These rebuilt bridges may take some time, but they will certainly be worth the wait,” city of Kellogg Public Works Director Mike Fitzgerald said previously. “Our project team is full of skilled professionals who only deliver the best work.”
The project is expected to be completed by November.