4/11/2008
ITD to construct pedestrian bridge in Salmon
RIGBY - Crews expect to build a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over the east channel of the Salmon River south of the existing U.S. 93 bridge in Salmon this year, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced. The structure will connect Town Square Park on the east bank of the river to Island Park.
The bridge will be a single‑span structure of capstone design (steel with wood deck), approximately 220 feet long by 11 feet wide. Foundation placement will be such that no work will take place below the ordinary high-water mark of the channel. The structure meets the Lemhi County flood plain development ordinance.
Construction depends on delivery of the steel bridge, probably in late summer. Crews will complete foundation and abutment work before the bridge's anticipated arrival and later will use large cranes to set the structure. The bridge will align with Van Dreff Street east of the river, permitting access from commercial areas in Salmon.
The crossing will not reduce the size of Town Square Park. The bridge aligns with proposed bicycle/pedestrian trails meant to connect Island Park with the west channel of the Salmon River.
ITD awarded Idaho Construction Company Inc. of Kimberly the $715,000 construction contract on Feb. 1. Sponsored by the city of Salmon, the project is being administered by ITD using federal, state and city funds.