City seeks trucking community assistance

SANDPOINT — The city of Sandpoint is asking for help from the trucking community after the Schweitzer Cutoff bridge over Sand Creek has deteriorated to needing a weight restriction. The trucking community is asked to submit letters of impact to the city that may help with funding options.

Kody Van Dyk, public works director, met with about 20 community members in the trucking community on Monday. Van Dyk said the bridge is owned equally between the cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay. The restrictions follow a July inspection by the Idaho Transportation Department. Following the inspection, Sandpoint and Ponderay officials were notified by ITD that the weight limit of the bridge is now 6.3 tons per axle.

“Those load restrictions will go into effect when we receive the signs,” said Van Dyk. “The signs are being made by the state right now.”  

One attendee said the restrictions are for trucks with "basically empty weights."

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