The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 8, for the community to learn more, ask questions, and provide input for studies underway to replace two aging bridges east of Lewiston.
The public meeting will share preliminary design plans for the Spalding Bridge on U.S. Highway 95 and the Arrow Bridge on U.S. Highway 12. The meeting will be open-house format for the community to drop in between 4 and 7 p.m. at the Clearwater River Casino and Lodge at 17500 Nez Perce Road in Lewiston. Information about the process, goals, benefits, proposed design features, and timelines for the two bridges will be provided. No formal presentation will be given; however, the project team will be available to answer questions.
A self-guided virtual meeting, with the same information as the in-person experience, will also be available at the project website starting Nov. 8. The feedback survey to provide formal comment during these environmental studies, also available on the project website, will be open through Nov. 22.
“These bridges were built over 50 years ago and are an important part of the regional transportation network,” Project Manager Mark Campbell said. “We want this public meeting to be an opportunity for the community to engage in the early project phases to create safe solutions for the future.”
The environmental studies are the first step in the process of upgrading each bridge and their associated highway intersections to meet future traffic needs as well as current design and safety standards. In some cases, shoulders on the bridges are either too narrow or do not have proper height clearances.
Public feedback throughout the study process will be used alongside evaluations of environmental and cultural impacts and considerations to secure an approved National Environmental Policy Act document.
Future steps include detailed designs and construction. Construction is not currently funded for either bridge.
Join the project team at the public meeting or visit the website at itdprojects.org/clearwatercrossings to view the virtual meeting, complete the survey online, and sign up for updates.