Merrit Bridge restricted to traffic amid repair measures

PRIEST RIVER — Bonner County Road and Bridge has restricted access to the Wisconsin Street Bridge, also known as Merrit Bridge, to adequately address safety issues.  

The decision was made after an underwater safety inspection revealed significant infrastructure failures in two support pilings of the bridge. Construction began Tuesday, Aug. 25, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 3.  

At the time of publishing, the Merrit Bridge will be closed to truck traffic, restricted to one lane through the damaged area of the bridge, and will be posted for vehicles over six tons. For any one axle, vehicles should not exceed 3.1 tons, or 6,200 pounds.  

“ITD and Bonner County will be setting a traffic signal and signage for the area in question. This will create a reroute of truck traffic through Oldtown to Old Priest River Road,” officials said.  

The department first became aware of the structural failures by way of an underwater inspection, where two support pilings were found to be compromised, one being completely sheared through and the other with cracks. Upon these findings, the road and bridge department sought a declaration of emergency from Bonner County to restrict, or close, the bridge as necessary until proper fixes could occur.  

The declaration was approved unanimously by county commissioners during an Aug. 11 business meeting.  

In addition to the emergency repairs, the department said the bridge was the recipient of a 2023 federal-aid bridge grant, which should preserve the bridge and extend its life. Construction on that project is estimated to begin in 2027, after the piling repairs are completed.