Overnight Lane Closure Begins Monday on Big Wood River Bridge

KETCHUM, Idaho (News Release) – Idaho 75 will be restricted to a single lane at the Big Wood River Bridge beginning on the evening of Monday, March 28, for setting the first series of girders. Drivers can expect delays until work concludes Tuesday morning.

Steady progress and favorable weather has allowed construction of the Big Wood River Bridge to be ready for placement of the concrete girders that span much of the river channel. The southbound lane will be closed no earlier than 7 p.m. Monday to make room for offloading the girders. Both lanes will open before the start of morning commute on Tuesday.

A single lane will be open with traffic alternating in the northbound lane. Drivers should be prepared for delays of up to 15 minutes. Flaggers will control traffic to ensure safe passage across the bridge and hold traffic whenever a girder is being lifted and placed.

Concrete Placing Company Inc. of Boise is the contractor for the $5.48 million bridge replacement.

During this first stage of construction, crews are working to complete the western half of the bridge, which is expected to be finished by mid-summer. Construction of the eastern half will begin in late summer. Project completion is expected in summer of 2017.

When finished, the new Big Wood River Bridge will facilitate two lanes in each direction with widened shoulders and a safety median. The project will blend the lane configurations of the existing five-lane sections north and south of the bridge.

In addition to being wider, the bridge will be lengthened to improve wildlife passage under the bridge.