SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners approved an alignment Tuesday for a bridge replacement project on Rapid Lightning Creek.

The preferred alignment involves building the new bridge in halves and using a traffic signal to regulate the one-way flow of traffic.

The other options involved realigning the span to the north or south of the existing span, which allow the bridge to remain in use during construction.

However, both the north and south options would require the acquisition of additional right of way, which would escalate the project’s cost.

Moreover, the northern option would require stream bed alterations, which would trigger a federal permitting process.

Bonner County Road & Bridge officials sought public comments on three proposed alignments on the bridge across the creek. The department’s director, Steve Klatt, said he received only a half-dozen comments.

“I really received very few comments,” Klatt told commissioners on Tuesday.

Klatt said some were appreciative of being asked to weigh in on the proposal before an alignment decision was made by commissioners. Others questioned why the public’s time and the county’s time was being wasted by seeking comments.

“I would recommend that we go with the preferred option,” said Klatt.

The project, which is located east of Sarah Lane, is being funded through a $1.9 million grant through the state’s Local Highway Technical Assistance Council. The bridge replacement project is at least four years out from construction.

The preferred alternative would mimic a recent Idaho Transportation Department bridge replacement project on Highway 41 in Oldtown, which also used a traffic signal to regulate one-way traffic on the span.

It’s estimated that the Rapid Lightning Creek signal would add three minutes to motorists’ commute each time they cross the bridge.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.