The Idaho Transportation Department has closed the pedestrian path on Sandpoint’s Long Bridge to the public with no set reopening date, citing inspection results that revealed serious structural problems in multiple sections of the crossing.

ITD sealed off both the north and south access points to the path after engineers determined certain sections can no longer safely bear public use. The full shutdown expands on a partial closure that went into effect in May, when inspectors first flagged concerns about the bridge’s condition. Engineering evaluations are continuing, and the agency has not provided a timeline for repairs.

The bridge carries U.S. Highway 95 over Lake Pend Oreille and is a daily fixture for many Sandpoint residents. District Engineer Ryan Hawkins acknowledged the path’s significance to the community. “For many residents, this bridge is more than a crossing,” Hawkins said. “Our responsibility is to ensure public safety, and the inspection findings make clear that action is necessary.”

ITD is urging people not to use the vehicle travel lanes as an alternative route. The highway bridge was not built to safely accommodate pedestrians or bicyclists, and the agency is not recommending that option despite the inconvenience the closure creates.

The closure will create real hardship for some residents. Certain community members depend on the pedestrian path to reach employers, medical appointments, and other essential services. ITD says it is in contact with the city of Sandpoint and local transit providers to explore what assistance options might be made available. Anyone anticipating difficulty because of the closure can reach ITD by calling 208-772-1200 during business hours.

The situation also highlights longer-term questions about the region’s infrastructure. A study examining replacement of both bridges across Lake Pend Oreille is already underway, though design and construction funding has not been secured. The path closure adds urgency to what has been a background planning effort.

For Bonner County residents who rely on local infrastructure to connect to jobs and services, this closure is a reminder of what aging transportation assets can mean at the community level. Similar infrastructure funding challenges have surfaced elsewhere in North Idaho, including a $2 million water infrastructure loan through the Idaho DEQ in Kootenai County that underscored how communities across the region are navigating the costs of maintaining and updating public systems.

ITD has not provided a repair schedule or cost estimate at this time. Residents affected by the closure are encouraged to contact the department directly with concerns.