Idaho

Transportation Department

2/1/2007






Wait for ice and water to recede before reopening the Salem Bridge

RIGBY -  Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) engineers recommend that Fremont County keep the Salem Bridge closed until ice and water recede.

The county closed the bridge between Rexburg and St. Anthony on Jan. 21 because of flooding from ice jams along the river under the bridge. Up to two feet of ice covers parts of the road south of the bridge, with water still running over the ice.

ITD Project Development Engineer Dave Walrath agrees with Fremont County officials that water and ice that cover part of the  roadway on both sides of the bridge dry up before the road is reopened. The  structure itself appears to be sound, ITD engineers believe.

Last summer, ITD advertised for bids to replace the bridge, but received none, Walrath said.

The department has since re-evaluated project plans and environmental permits in hopes of making the project more appealing to potential bidders. ITD plans advertise for bids on the project again this spring.

The bottom of the proposed new bridge would be about 2.5 feet higher than the bottom of the existing bridge.

Assuming acceptable bids and favorable weather conditions, the project could be completed by the end of this year or in early 2008, Walrath said.