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Dover Bridge dedication planned Oct. 26

The public is invited to join Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and other dignitaries for a dedication ceremony for the new Dover Bridge Friday (Oct. 26) at 11 a.m. under the new bridge. The event is sponsored by the city of Dover, the Bonner County Area Transportation Team and State Rep. George Eskridge.

The old trestle bridge, built in the 1930s, has been replaced with a 72-foot-wide steel structure. The highway has been realigned and includes improved access into Dover. The project accommodates future expansion of U.S 2. west of the existing highway bridge that spans the Union Pacific railroad to Rocky Point Road east of the bridge.

A bicycle/pedestrian trail also was included in the project.

Dover Bridge was one of several projects identified by Gov. Otter and the transportation department to be built using federal stimulus funds. With current funding levels, the department can fund a major bridge replacement project every 3-4 years. To construct the Dover Bridge would have taken all of Idaho’s available bridge construction resources for several years.

The U.S. 2 corridor through Idaho is a key link in this major east-west highway. As part of the National Highway System, U.S. 2 is a major east-west connection for northern Idaho to Washington and the West Coast, and to Montana and points east. The highway is an important commercial truck route, including international trade with Canada, as well as local commercial truck traffic.

U.S. 2 also is an important route for the local communities it serves, providing east-west access for school and work.

Construction began in 2009 at a cost of $22 million. The prime contractor is Sletten Construction Co., of Great Falls, Mont.

Photo: Gov. Otter talked about the impact a new Dover Bridge will have on the community, commerce and local residents when he participated in groundbreaking ceremonies. He will return next week to celebrate completion of the bridge.