SANDPOINT — In a monthly update, Bonner County Road and Bridge department discussed county road conditions and bridge projects leading up to the construction season.

Road and Bridge director Jason Topp shared that road restrictions are still in effect on county roads, as weight limits went into effect Feb. 9. Road restrictions are put in place to maintain the integrity of Bonner County infrastructure and public safety.

“The ground is super saturated from all the rain events we had going into winter and just being wet all year. So, it's going to be kind of a long, drawn-out process of things drying out. Hopefully it will go faster. We don't have a lot of snow, but it just depends on Mother Nature,” Topp said.

Restriction lifts are weather dependent.

Topp also provided updates on bridge construction, sharing that the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council will be opening a bid for the Colburn Culver bridge project. The project, according to a construction bid source, will include removing the existing bridge and foundation, replacing it with a concrete girder bridge. Bids for the project will be open Thursday, Feb. 19.

Hunt Bridge over Priest River Lake is expected to start construction this year, with the project switching contractors due to insurance issues. The Rapid Lighting Creek Bridge is also expected to start construction this year.

Topp reported that repairs to East Spring Creek have been completed, and that the department is gathering work documentations to submit to FEMA to obtain a 50/50 cost share through the entity.

In other department updates, Topp shared with commissioners that “stings” may occur throughout the county — a police operation conducted to catch drivers committing minor offenses such as speeding and not wearing a seatbelt. However, Topp said that only himself, the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Transportation office will be aware of when the operation occurs, as an effort to maintain road safety efforts.