The crew includes Wally “Buzz” Barton, Chris Wilson, Dan Mire, Jason Sperber, Jeremy Dawson, Davy Randolph, Keith Roberts and Bobby Rolland. The excavator couldn’t reach entirely around the structure, so they shoveled five dump truck loads and helped the excavator operator line up the fill.

D1 bridge crew repairs structure
over Johnson Creek
after inspection finds erosion issues

Bridge inspectors make sure that the 4,200 bridges on local and state systems around the state are not only able to withstand repeated impacts from the traveling public, but they also identify maintenance measures that can be taken to keep structures in service longer.

Inspectors visit most bridges every two or four years depending on conditions. Johnson Creek on US-2, three miles east of Laclede, was due for its inspection in May. The bridge team found that since their last visit, erosion issues caused by a short drain was threatening to undermine the abutment.

Inspector Jim Holland identified the need for a longer drain and new fill to be placed near the base of the bridge.

As luck would have it, D1 operations in June had finally secured the rental of an excavator with an extended boom, which is notoriously hard to find in North Idaho. Different foremen sections were taking full advantage, and the D1 Sandpoint crew didn’t hesitate to borrow it.

“Our crews and equipment manager worked together to prioritize and coordinate the use of the rented excavator in order to make the critical repair to the bridge,” Operations Engineer Jerry Wilson said. “Their teamwork and expertise is what delivers such great results!”

In terms of corrective actions for bridge maintenance, this was a quick turnaround.

“In short order, our Sandpoint crew followed up on this request,” District Engineer Damon Allen. “It shows the strength of the partnership in D1 between our inspectors and operations.”

Published 07-01-20