4/21/2014
Contractor to meet with citizens interested in Idaho 75 bridge replacement project
RIGBY - Contractors will meet each Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. with citizens interested in the bridge replacement on Idaho 75 southwest of Challis. The weekly meetings will be held in a trailer at the construction site, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Citizens are invited to receive updates, ask questions and express concerns.
The transportation department is replacing the bridge over the East Fork and the bridge over the main channel of the Salmon River on Idaho 75, which are located about 18 miles southwest of Challis. Situated approximately 200 yards apart, these bridges form the East Fork Salmon River Bridge Complex, near milepost 227. Crews began work April 7, building two temporary work bridges for cranes.
Click here for a picture of the East Fork bridge and complex.
The contractor will accelerate bridge construction by using prebuilt bridge sections, with the goal to finish construction in November. This would enable bridge installation in one rather than two seasons.
Crews will maintain two-way travel on Idaho 75, with minimal disruptions. As construction advances, the transportation department will notify the public of anticipated changes to traffic flow on the highway.
During the project, motorists should watch for construction workers, equipment and traffic signs. Work may temporarily close boat accesses adjacent to and under the construction sites of the project, but boats may access the Salmon River close to these construction sites. At times, crews may restrict boat travel through the channels, especially when setting girders.
Use of local river access points will be curtailed briefly during demolition of the old bridges this fall and perhaps a few times when the contractor needs to use the access points during construction this summer.
The Challis Bureau of Land Management decided to close its East Fork Campground, which lies between the bridges, after discussions with the transportation department and the contractor on the need for a work-staging area at the campsite.
Built in 1938, the bridges have well exceeded their 50-year design life. The new bridges will be built just east (upstream) of the existing ones, after which the old bridges will be removed. Approaches to the new bridges will be built to improve traffic safety and flow.
The transportation department awarded the $7.4 million contract to Knife River Corporation’s southern Idaho division, based in Boise.