COEUR d'ALENE, ID Two bridges on Idaho Highway 3 - one over the St. Maries River Railroad Company tracks and one over the St. Joe River in St. Maries, Idaho - will be replaced starting in September, after Labor Day. The railroad bridge will be completed first, followed by the river bridge. The replacements are expected to finish by summer 2019.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is working with RSCI, Inc. and J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. using a design-build process to provide a timely and cost-effective product.

"Design-build projects allow the design and construction professionals to directly work together," said Nathan Herbst, ITD Project Manager. "The goal is that this approach will streamline the process and result in a more cost-effective solution for everyone." 

ITD's decision to use design-build was based on two factors: 1) the project's central and impactful location to the St. Maries community and traveling public, and 2) the complexity of replacing two adjacent bridges in less than two years.

Both bridges will be removed and replaced with structures that include one lane in each direction with a shoulder/bike lane and sidewalk on each side. Work also will include resurfacing the roadway, replacing guardrail and signs in several locations, enhancing pedestrian facilities to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and realigning the intersections.