4/21/2023
Mark Pfeifer
ITD Communication
208-799-4305
mark.pfeifer@itd.idaho.gov
White Bird Creek Bridge preservation begins soon
WHITE BIRD, IDAHO – In the next few weeks, the Idaho Transportation Department in District 2 and its partners will begin work on the iconic 811-foot-long bridge at White Bird Creek along US-95. This federally funded, $3.1 million preservation project is anticipated to start in late April or early May and conclude in early August.
Royal Bridge, Inc., a Florida-based contractor specializing in bridge services, will be sandblasting and repainting the tall bridge with its original soft-yellow color to preserve the historic aesthetic of the bridge.
The piers of the structure are metal, so they will also need to be repainted to be protected from rust. This maintenance is important for safety, preserving state infrastructure, and extending the lifespan of the bridge.
The public should expect minimal traffic delays. Extra caution is encouraged when crews are working on the upper bridge deck and rails.
“White Bird Creek Bridge is one of the Idaho Transportation Department’s signature bridges, but replacing the bridge is cost prohibitive, so our goal is to preserve its condition as long as possible," said Curtis Arnzen, Resident Engineer. "Painting the bridge’s structural steel will help eliminate rust that would eventually reduce the bridge’s lifespan."
The White Bird Creek Bridge was completed in 1975 and is located at the bottom of the White Bird grade on US-95 overlooking the city of White Bird. The 300-foot-tall structure connects travelers and commerce from across the state.
For more information, please visit https://itdprojects.org/projects/us95whitebirdcreek/