US-95 Long Bridge replacement study

Overview

For more than a century, the Long Bridge has connected the Sandpoint area across Lake Pend Oreille—beginning with a record-setting wooden structure completed in 1908. Since then, it has evolved through multiple iterations, including the current vehicular bridge built in 1981 and the original 1956 concrete structure which now serves as a pedestrian path. With both bridges showing their age and capacity needs growing, the time has come to begin planning for a replacement that can better serve drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians into the future.

Side view of the Long Bridge near Sandpoint

Project information

In December of 2024, the Idaho Transportation Board approved $200,000 to start studying replacement options for the Long Bridge on U.S. Highway 95 near Sandpoint. The study began 2025, with the goal of seeking grant funding to finish the study and begin design. It would include public outreach and updating environmental evaluations.

The existing bridges—one for vehicles, and the other for pedestrians—were built in 1981 and 1956 respectively. The pedestrian bridge, which originally served vehicles, is no longer able to safely carry traffic and is severely weight restricted.

Previous studies have identified one four-lane bridge with shoulders and a separated bike and pedestrian facility to replace the two existing two-lane bridges. Costs and staging would be identified in later studies, but the initial estimate for building the northbound half of the proposed structure, including a bike and pedestrian facility, is at least $225 million.

As the study progresses information about replacement options and future design and construction will be made available on this site.

This project will be separate from ongoing plans to expand US-95 through the Sagle corridor to make the highway safer and more capable of handling increased traffic between Sagle and Lakeshore Drive, though neither is funded for construction at this time.

Did you know?

On May 26, 1908, the first piling for the wooden bridge was driven. When completed, the bridge was supported by 1,540 pilings and covered a distance of almost two miles. It was advertised as the longest wooden bridge in the world!

Historical photo of the original wooden Long Bridge near Sandpoint

Timeline

The information below describes a brief history of some of the maintenance and major improvements that have been completed to maintain the Long Bridge since 1956, and will also include future planning and design milestones as the replacement study progresses.

1956

Original concrete bridge was constructed
1977

Bridge deck was resurfaced, expansion joints repaired, and guardrail repainted
1981

Original bridge was decommissioned as a vehicular bridge and converted into a pedestrian facility
1981

Construction began on the existing vehicular bridge
2008

Epoxy overlay on vehicular bridge surface
2015

Pile preservation pilot project and bridge deck overlay on vehicular bridge
2016

Pedestrian bridge joints sealed
2021

Vehicular bridge improvement project to replace joints, repair cracks, preserve piles, repair sea wall and replace navigation lighting
2021

Pedestrian bridge joint replacement and navigation lighting replacement.
2024

Epoxy overlay on vehicular bridge surface
2024

ITD Board approves funding to begin studying Long Bridge replacement options
2025

Long Bridge replacement study begins