SANDPOINT — Several roadway projects in Bonner County are entering the design phase following the approval of agreements by the Bonner County Road and Bridge Department to support the development of two specific projects. 

The county department was first approved to enter into a professional services agreement with HDR Engineers to help design the repairs of Merritt Bridge, the longest bridge in the county located south of Priest River.  

According to a memorandum from the county department, Merritt Bridge is overdue for steel piling rehabilitation to address corrosion and prevent further deterioration of the bridge into poor condition.  

The department noted during a Tuesday business meeting that the project would include cleaning and an underwater pile-wrap solution. Also included in the proposed updates to the bridge are an epoxy seal coat for the concrete driving surface deck, repairing damaged piles and cleaning expansion joints.  

A grant was awarded for the project back in February, with an estimated total cost of $4.6 million for the project. The design fee of the project is $389,554 — the county will be responsible for paying the design fee upfront and will be reimbursed 92.66% of the cost through grant funding. 

The professional services agreement for bridge updates was approved by commissioners Asia Williams and Brian Domke. Commissioner Ron Korn was absent from the meeting.  

Following the approval of the department’s first request, Road and Bridge staff engineer Matt Mulder requested approval to enter into a professional services agreement with JUB Engineers to finalize the design of the Spirit Lake Curves safety project for $102,781.  

The initial design phase was approved in July after the department raised concerns about several dangerous curves in Spirit Lake Road.  

“We have seen a trend of roadway departure accidents, including two fatal accidents in the last five years, at corners which are too sharp for the 45-mph speed limit, especially in adverse conditions,” said Mulder.  

Department officials note that a re-alignment of the sharp corners, added guardrails to the outer edges of the sharpest corners and improved “curve ahead” signage would help mitigate safety issues on the road.  

The project in its entirety was selected to receive $1.5 million in funding, with Bonner County required to contribute a 7.34% match.  

For the final design phase, the county will be required to pay $102,781 in full before receiving a 92.66% reimbursement.  

The professional service agreement was also approved by both commissioners.