The Long Bridge pedestrian path in Sandpoint will reopen to the public next week following emergency stabilization work, restoring access across a key Kootenai County infrastructure link that has been closed since deterioration was discovered during routine inspections. The Idaho Transportation Department expects to complete repairs and restore end-to-end passage by late next week, marking the end of a temporary shuttle service that has served pedestrians and cyclists throughout the closure period.
Emergency Repairs Completed
Transportation crews installed custom steel support brackets—referred to as “saddles”—beneath the bridge deck at critical girder locations identified as requiring reinforcement. The brackets address structural concerns uncovered during inspections that revealed significant deterioration in multiple areas of the bridge structure.
Ryan Hawkins, the Idaho Transportation Department’s District Engineer, emphasized that the reopening represents a managed restoration rather than a return to fully unrestricted use. “This is not a return to normal. The bridge remains in need of additional repairs in several locations, but the emergency stabilization work we’ve completed allows us to safely reopen access,” Hawkins said.
Access Management and Temporary Controls
When the bridge reopens, pedestrians and cyclists will encounter temporary traffic control measures—including cones, barrels, and caution tape—marking a designated pathway through the structure. These temporary barriers will direct users away from areas that require future repairs and maintain safety during the transition period.
The department plans to install permanent barriers to replace the temporary devices, creating a long-term solution for managing traffic flow while additional structural work is scheduled. The designated travel path ensures that users avoid sections of the bridge that remain candidates for future repair work.
Shuttle Service Concluding
The Selkirks Pend Oreille Transit Authority (SPOT) has operated a temporary shuttle route throughout the closure, providing seven days a week service with multiple daily trips to accommodate residents and visitors unable to cross the bridge. That shuttle will cease operations upon the bridge’s reopening.
SPOT has indicated interest in reestablishing the shuttle route in the future, contingent on sufficient community demand and available funding. Residents interested in supporting an ongoing shuttle service can contact SPOT at 208-263-3774 to express interest.
Upcoming Events and Planning Input
The Long Bridge Swim, a community event held annually on the bridge, is scheduled for August 1. The reopening timeline should allow the event to proceed as planned.
Additionally, the Idaho Transportation Department has opened a public comment period on the Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP) through July 31, allowing North Idaho residents to weigh in on regional road and bridge priorities. The comment period coincides with broader regional transportation planning efforts, including an ongoing Rathdrum Prairie Transportation Study entering its final input phase with a public open house scheduled for July 8.
Other infrastructure work in the region includes improvements to the Post Falls I-90/State Highway 41 interchange, which is adding new eastbound access with overnight closures beginning July 8.
What Comes Next
The reopening of Long Bridge marks an important step toward restoring connectivity in the Coeur d’Alene area, though property owners, commuters, and pedestrians should expect ongoing repair work and potential future closures as the Idaho Transportation Department addresses structural issues identified during inspections. Residents should monitor updates from the department regarding permanent barrier installation and any additional maintenance schedules.
For information about SPOT shuttle continuation or other bridge-related questions, contact the transportation department or call SPOT at 208-263-3774. Those wishing to comment on regional transportation priorities should submit input before the July 31 deadline for the Idaho Transportation Investment Program public comment period.