Bonner County agrees to design commitment for Whiskey Jack Bridge under federal bridge program

Bonner County commissioners voted to sign a state-local agreement to begin design of the Whiskey Jack Bridge under the Federal Aid Bridge Program.

Matt Mulder, Road and Bridge engineer, told the board the timber bridge—built in 1969—is “deteriorating and functionally obsolete” and that the county ranked first in the state for the bridge application. Mulder said construction is likely about four years away if the county begins design now and explained the program currently limits construction funding to $3,500,000, meaning the county could face a remainder if construction costs exceed that cap.

The measure before the board was a commitment to design only; Mulder said the county will sign a separate agreement if and when construction funding is secured. He told commissioners the program presently requires no design match but construction could later require a roughly 7.34% federal match or leave Bonner County responsible for amounts over the program ceiling.

Public comment and commissioner questions focused on future development near the bridge, possible impact fees and whether future subdivisions could be required to dedicate rights-of-way to reduce long-term costs. Mulder said no specific development applications are currently part of the grant but acknowledged large landholdings in the area could be subdivided in the future.

The board approved the state-local agreement by roll call. Next steps include finalizing the state-local agreement paperwork, starting the design process and, at a later date, executing any separate construction agreement if construction funding is offered.