In McCall, Idaho, the North Fork Payette River plays out into Payette Lake after miles upon miles of winding rapids and craggy passes. Above this outlet, the New Lardo Bridge, running off Idaho 55, which replaces the 83-year-old Lardo Bridge on the southwest shore of Payette Lake, is set to makes its colorful debut on Nov. 26.
The $3.64 million project is the first bridge to be constructed by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) using a lateral slide construction method, which successfully reduced full bridge closure by a matter of months. The new bridge was plaed on lubricated slider pads and then slid into place inches at a time. Six 157-ft girders, each weighing just under 200,000 lb were used in the construction. Grout and patchwork will occur following the bridge’s opening.
In aesthetic terms, the New Lardo Bridge offers a dynamic opportunity to the travelling public with its 400-sq-ft viewing platform, which pushes out over the North Fork Payette River, affording travelers a clear view of the adjacent lake and mountains beyond.
The new bridge accommodates one lane of traffic in each direction, along with bicycle and pedestrian facilities on each side of the bridge.
