The Nez Perce County Commission has announced the opening of the new Cherry Lane Bridge over the Clearwater River west of Orofino.
The Lewiston Tribune reports a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held from noon to 1 p.m. next Wednesday. Officials say safety vests will be required for those wishing to attend the ceremony and some will be available for anyone who doesn’t have one.
Although the $21 million bridge is completed, construction crews are in the process of dismantling the old Cherrylane Bridge approximately 70 feet downstream and the work bridge between the old and new. Additionally, lane striping on the new bridge has yet to be finished and highway cones separate the lanes.
The new bridge consists of an 800-foot, four-span steel plate girder bridge with a 12-foot travel lane and 8-foot shoulder in each direction and replaces the old bridge that was originally constructed in 1919.
