Chipman bridge reconstruction underway

COLFAX — Reconstruction of the Bill Chipman Trail Bridge is underway, with a new superstructure slated to arrive Wednesday, March 27.

The Chipman Trail Bridge, located a mile-and-a-half on the trail leaving Pullman toward Moscow, was destroyed by fire Aug. 19, 2023. Two boys, ages 13 and 14, both of Moscow, are accused of setting the fire.

The state Department of Transportation is detouring traffic along State Highway 272 and barrels have been put out to designate a path for pedestrians and bicyclists on the trail.

Whitman County Public Works Director Mark Storey said the department has been able to get all of the parts of the bridge out of the creek bed without difficulty.

“We thought it would be more difficult,” he said Tuesday, March 19.

As of Monday, crews started installing the new foundation and were hoping to be done sometime Wednesday, March 20.

Storey predicted they’d be done in approximately three weeks.

Officials don’t know yet if they’ll be able to buy hot-mix asphalt, so the department might have to come back and pave the top of the bridge later.

The project is being worked on by A&R Construction, a Lewiston, Idaho-based crane company, which Storey said would help install the superstructure manufactured through True North Steel of Missoula, Mont.

County work crews are asking the public to be patient as they work through reconstruction, Storey said. Pedestrians and cyclists should stay out of the construction area to help avoid any accidents.