11/21/2016
Winter shutdown at Big Wood River Bridge beginning Dec. 1, will resume next spring
KETCHUM – With work in the main channel of the Big Wood River complete, reconstruction of the Idaho 75 bridge over the river will take a break through the winter months beginning Wednesday, Dec. 1. Work will resume in the spring, when warmer temperatures return to the area.
The bridge project is expected to be finished by mid-summer 2017.
Since the beginning of phase two of the bridge reconstruction, the contractor has completed removal of the remaining section of the former structure, completed placement of the bridge foundations and in-river piers. The remaining work requires warmer temperatures and drier conditions.
Reconstruction of the bridge started in January and crews rushed to complete work in the river channel prior to the arrival of spring run-off. Remaining work can be accomplished without affecting the main river channel.
Remaining work includes placement of abutments, wildlife passage, bridge deck, and adjacent roadway for the northbound lanes of the structure.
When complete, the new Big Wood River Bridge will facilitate four lanes of traffic with eight-foot shoulders and a four-foot median. In addition to widening, the new bridge is longer to facilitate additional wildlife passage along the river.
Concrete Placing Company, Inc., of Boise, is the contractor for the $5.48 million bridge replacement.
Traffic will remain limited to two lanes — one lane in each direction — for the remainder of the project. Traffic speeds will remain at 35 mph through the construction zone and drivers are reminded to use caution merging into the single lane from each direction.