Sissons Bridge closure delayed

COEUR d’Alene – The construction closure for the Sissons Bridge on the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District has been postponed to October 15, 2018 for up to two weeks; however, construction work will only occur Monday - Friday in order to keep the bridge open for weekend travel. Visitors to this area are asked to plan ahead. The following alternate routes will be available:

- Forest Service Road 400 from Steamboat Creek to Flat Creek.

- Forest Service Road 802 from Venus Creek to the Long Pool/Big Pool area.

The alternate routes are unpaved and narrower than Road #208, and may not be suitable for vehicles with larger trailers. Sissons Bridge is the first bridge encountered when heading northwest on the Coeur d’Alene River Road #208 from Shoshone Camp, before Kit Price Campground.

Built in the early 1950’s, Sissons Bridge has begun to show signs of cracking and distress that were discovered during a routine inspection, reducing the ability to meet load limits. There is a priority need to conduct these repairs in order to accommodate high levels of traffic from recreationalists, private land owners, and management activities. Work that includes concrete pouring and additional reinforcing steel will bring the bridge up to load bearing specifications.

Visitors to the Idaho Panhandle Forests are encouraged to pick up a free Motor Vehicle Use Map available at any of the Ranger Stations. For additional information about the Sissons Bridge closure, please contact the Coeur d’Alene River Silver Valley Office at (208) 783-2363, or the Fernan Office at (208) 664-2318.