Sandpoint Long Bridge Pedestrian Access at Risk After Repeated Safety Barrier Vandalism
SANDPOINT, Idaho — Repeated vandalism of safety barriers on the Long Bridge could force the Idaho Transportation Department to shut down pedestrian access to one of Sandpoint’s most iconic landmarks, ITD officials warned this week.
ITD engineers recently identified structural concerns with the bridge’s support systems, raising questions about the structure’s ability to handle weight loads. In response, crews established restricted zones in affected areas while the department works to diagnose and address the underlying problems. The rest of the bridge remains open and safe for public use.
However, since the barriers were installed last Friday, crews have had to reset the blockades three times after individuals deliberately removed them.
Officials: Vandalism Jeopardizes Everyone on the Bridge
Heather McDaniel, ITD’s public information officer, said the situation creates a danger that extends beyond those ignoring the restricted areas.
“When people intentionally take down that traffic control, they’re jeopardizing not only their own safety, but that of everybody else,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel stressed that ITD does not want to close pedestrian access entirely, but the department cannot allow the safety violations to continue while repairs are ongoing. She said the goal of going public with the situation is to raise awareness so that full closure can be avoided.
“We’re hoping people will understand and we can use the bridge to the best of its ability until we get it fully repaired,” McDaniel said.
Weight Concerns Limit Options for Sturdier Barriers
ITD is exploring ways to make the barriers more difficult to move, but the department faces a practical challenge: the very concern driving the partial closure — excess weight on the bridge — prevents crews from deploying heavier blockades such as concrete barriers.
“It’s the weight of anything out there that’s giving us reason for concern right now,” McDaniel said, explaining why the department must rely on lighter, more moveable equipment.
Officials also warned that continued unauthorized use of restricted sections could cause additional structural damage, extending the repair timeline. McDaniel noted that the surface of the bridge gives no visible indication of what is occurring in the support structures below, making the posted barriers the only reliable signal to the public about where it is unsafe to walk.
ITD said it is coordinating with local and state law enforcement to increase patrol presence on and around the bridge in an effort to deter further tampering. Anyone found deliberately removing or displacing safety barriers could face legal consequences.
The Long Bridge spans Lake Pend Oreille and serves as a heavily used pedestrian and recreational corridor for Sandpoint-area residents and visitors. Concerns about aging bridge infrastructure are not limited to this structure — ITD has separately advanced plans for a modern replacement of the US-2 bridge in Priest River that would include dedicated pedestrian access, as previously reported.
What Comes Next
ITD engineers are actively working to determine the full scope of the structural issues affecting the Long Bridge’s support systems. The department has not announced a repair timeline, and officials say that timeline could grow longer if vandalism continues to complicate safety management on the span. Residents are urged to respect all posted barriers and report tampering to local law enforcement or ITD. Anyone traveling Highway 200 near the Clark Fork corridor is also reminded to exercise caution in areas with active transportation department operations.