The second BNSF bridge across the lake in Idaho is nearly complete

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Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief

Second Sandpoint Bridge over Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho.

BNSF

BNSF has been working for the past few years on the construction of a second rail bridge called the Sandpoint Junction Connector, and the installation is ahead of schedule.

Over the past two months, crews have completed the bridge girders, curbs and decks and continued to lay tracks, as well as tackle various items such as waterproofing and guardrails.

In November, BNSF plans to put the new bridge into operation and start an important maintenance program on the existing railway bridge. Both of these bridges cross Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille (Idaho’s largest lake) through Sandpoint, located at the northern tip of the state, about 50 miles from the Canadian border.

The second span will reduce a traffic bottleneck, as trains will now be able to run in both directions.

According to the Spokesman-Review and Yahoo News, Lena Kent, director of public affairs for BNSF, said, “About 60 trains pass through Sandpoint each day. In addition to freight, the bridge serves the Amtrak Empire Builder passenger route from Portland and Seattle to Chicago.” Kent added “The upgrades will reduce congestion and help move our current freight traffic more efficiently.”