9/5/2017
Citizens invited to dedication of Big Wood River Bridge, featured artwork on Sept. 13 near Ketchum
KETCHUM - Citizens are invited to join the Idaho Transportation Department, members of the Blaine County Regional Transportation Committee and the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the dedication of the new Big Wood River Bridge and six locally-inspired sculptures created for the bridge.
The ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, near the south end of the Cold Springs trestle bridge adjacent to Idaho Highway 75 south of Ketchum.
Representatives from ITD, members of the transportation committee and the advisory committee will make brief presentations about the development and construction of the bridge. Attendees are asked to park at the north end of Hospital Drive and walk on the Wood River Trail to the dedication site.
After about 18 months of construction, final work on the reconstructed Big Wood River Bridge was completed on Aug. 17. The $5.48 million bridge replacement is the latest project of the Timmerman to Ketchum corridor, as outlined in the Idaho 75 Final Environmental Impact Statement completed in 2008. The new structure includes a widened highway to four lanes and improved wildlife passage under the road.
Members of the local arts community recommended the addition of artwork to the new bridge through the Transportation Committee. ITD was able to designate Federal funding to support the artwork. After a lengthy vetting process, Kay Kirkpatrick was awarded the commission. Kirkpatrick, a former Ketchum resident, designed the sculptures to represent local life and natural surroundings in the Wood River Valley. Kirkpatrick will be at the dedication to describe her vision and creation of the art.