SANDPOINT — For the third straight year, the Idaho Transportation Department will be working on the surface of the Long Bridge.

The work, which starts Tuesday, will address joints on the bridge and aims to improve winter maintenance operations. All work would take place overnight with crews setting up traffic control at 7 p.m. and wrapping up work by 6 a.m. the following day.

ITD officials said the project is necessary to address issues discovered after last year’s overlay work regarding raised joint edges that created challenges for snowplows. Joints connect sections of the bridge and allow the structure to expand and contract with the weather. 

While drivers may not notice a big difference, ITD said the work will keep snowplows from catching on the joints and help equipment last longer. As part of the upcoming work, crews will remove the raised edges and add a thin layer of epoxy to protect the roadway from precipitation.

ITD officials acknowledged that three consecutive years of work on the iconic bridge across Lake Pend Oreille would likely frustrate many drivers and area residents.

“We know it’s not easy to keep coming back,” ITD project manager Preston Sochovka said. “But we’ve learned from last year, and this year’s work is about finishing strong and setting the bridge up for long-term performance.”

During the six-week project, the bridge will be reduced to one lane of travel during the nighttime construction period. However, the work zone will be limited to 1,000 to 1,500 feet at a time as opposed to 2024 when the entire length of the bridge was shifted to a single lane. 

ITD officials expect the change to lead to significantly reduced wait times. While crews will alternate traffic through the work zone and flaggers will be on hand, the shorter closures should mean less waiting for drivers.

Another change from previous years is a wider work zone, allowing more oversize loads to pass through the work zone unimpeded. However, ITD officials cautioned that trucking companies and drivers with oversize loads should err on the side of caution and check Idaho 511 for specific limitations.

A 10-day-on, four-day-off schedule will be used by the contractor to expedite work and complete the project more quickly. That means the contractor will be working some weekend nights, ITD officials said.

“After a few seasons of working on the Long Bridge, we’ve learned a lot about what works for traffic control,” Sochovka said. “We’re listening to the community and using those lessons to fine-tune our approach this year. We’re optimistic these changes will make it easier for drivers with shorter delays and quicker trips across the bridge.”

With some of the work taking place on Friday nights, ITD officials said they coordinated with the Lake Pend Oreille School District to help families get to varsity home games on time. On those nights, crews will start work later so traffic is not delayed by construction. 

"While not all events can be accommodated, ITD is working with the district to find the best opportunities to lessen impacts and keep Bulldog spirit high and on time," Megan Jahns, ITD public information officer, said.

All drivers are advised to plan extra time when traveling through the area at night and encouraged to check Idaho 511 for the latest updates on restrictions and delays.

A landmark in the community, the current Long Bridge was built in 1981 and underwent a rehabilitation project a few years ago that extended its design life from 75 to 100 years. A pedestrian bridge, which runs parallel, was built in 1956. Closed to vehicles, the pedestrian bridge was reinforced during that same project.

Looking ahead, ITD officials said the agency is studying options to replace the pedestrian bridge with a new two-lane northbound structure that would also include a bike and pedestrian path. In that plan, the 1981 bridge could carry two lanes of southbound traffic. 

ITD officials anticipate pursuing federal grants to advance design work for the new bridge, followed by additional funding opportunities for construction.