The Idaho Transportation Department has announced plans to replace the Priest River Bridge on US Highway 2 in Bonner County, with construction anticipated to begin in 2029. The aging structure, originally built in 1962, has reached the end of its service life and no longer meets modern design standards, prompting a full replacement that will bring wider lanes, pedestrian and cyclist access, and improved river navigation to the Priest River community.
The project is currently in the design phase, with surveying completed at the end of 2024. Construction is expected to begin in 2029 and last approximately two years, with an anticipated completion date in late 2030. The Idaho Transportation Department has identified the existing bridge as “functionally obsolete,” citing its deteriorating foundation and failure to meet current engineering and safety standards after more than six decades of service.
What the New Bridge Will Include
The replacement structure will feature several significant upgrades over the existing bridge. Wider shoulders will provide additional room for vehicles and a dedicated multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists — an improvement that has been notably absent from the current structure. The new bridge will also reduce the number of piers installed in the Priest River, a change that will benefit both recreational boaters and the surrounding ecosystem by improving water flow and increasing navigable channels.
The Priest River waterway will remain open for recreational use throughout the design and construction phases, though ITD has noted that in-water work during both periods may temporarily restrict passage to certain portions of the river channel. The department has committed to providing updates on river access impacts as the project advances.
For Bonner County residents and visitors who rely on US-2 as a primary corridor through North Idaho, the project represents a long-overdue investment in aging infrastructure. US Highway 2 is a critical transportation route connecting communities across the Idaho Panhandle, and the bridge’s replacement is expected to improve both safety and traffic flow for the thousands of drivers who use the crossing annually.
Community Feedback Supports Replacement
The Idaho Transportation Department hosted a public meeting on November 6, 2025, to present design alternatives and gather input from Priest River residents and stakeholders. Thirty-three community members attended the in-person session, and the project team received 15 comment forms during the subsequent public comment period.
According to ITD, the feedback made clear that community members understand the need to replace the aging structure and broadly support the project’s long-term benefits. Residents expressed a strong desire to prioritize safety for both drivers and pedestrians, minimize disruption during construction, and preserve the community’s ability to move freely both on land and water. Three design alternatives were presented at the meeting, and that community input will inform the ongoing design process.
The project team presented materials covering challenges and goals, river navigation, construction expectations, and the overall project timeline. Those presentation materials remain available through the ITD project page for residents who were unable to attend.
What Comes Next
The US-2 Priest River Bridge project remains in its design phase as of early 2026, with construction not expected to begin until 2029. Residents and river users seeking updates or wishing to ask questions about the project can contact the project manager at randy.durland@itd.idaho.gov or by calling (208) 772-1200. ITD is also accepting sign-ups for an email notification list to keep community members informed of key project milestones and construction impacts as the timeline progresses.
For residents of Priest River and the broader Bonner County area, the replacement of the 1962-era bridge marks a significant step toward modernizing North Idaho’s transportation infrastructure. Additional statewide infrastructure updates can be followed through Idaho News, and regional comparisons on infrastructure spending across Idaho can be found at the Idaho News Network.