Idaho Transportation Department—Big Wood River Bridge near Sun Valley

For many years, the old bridge crossing over the Big Wood River just outside Sun Valley served its purpose, but increased traffic and road improvements turned it into a bottleneck, hindering traffic flow. Some improvements were made to the bridge in 2014, but a complete replacement was needed to really address the problem. ITD worked closely with local residents and the Blaine County Regional Transportation Committee to ensure the new bridge would meet transportation needs. ITD widened the bridge to four lanes for better traffic flow, increased its length for improved wildlife passage, and got the community involved by selecting artwork to be incorporated into the design of the bridge. The $5.5 million project now better meets the needs of the community and allows drivers to get to their destinations faster and easier.