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BNSF is constructing a second bridge across Lake Pend Oreille at Sandpoint, Idaho. The project has been under review and study for years, and is finally under construction. I thought it might be good to gather some of the various articles published about the project and provide a place for photos of the work as the project proceeds.
BNSF Press Release - March 19, 2019
In the Works: Sandpoint Junction Connector Project
To meet the growing needs of the communities we serve, BNSF is proposing to build a second bridge over Lake Pend Oreille, which would be adjacent to the existing rail bridge. The project will also include new bridges over Sand Creek and Bridge Street in Sandpoint. This project will reduce congestion and help move current freight traffic and volumes more efficiently. This benefits all products we carry as well as the passenger trains that run on our main line. Another bridge over Lake Pend Oreille will also allow trains to run in both directions, reducing wait times for drivers on nearby roads that cross BNSF tracks and improving the flow of freight and passenger trains. To learn more, visit https://keepsandpointrolling.com.
The people of the Pacific Northwest rely on freight rail to safely and efficiently deliver the products they use every day. That’s why BNSF is proposing to build a second rail bridge across Lake Pend Oreille at Sandpoint, Idaho. A second track will allow trains to run in both directions instead of just one at a time, reducing the wait time for trains to use the bridge. BNSF will be able to deliver commodities more efficiently.
But that’s not all. A train that’s moving occupies less time in a crossing than a train that’s waiting its turn – and that’s good news for the region’s motorists!
Please support this important infrastructure project today by encouraging regulators to approve it.
BNSF gets green light for new bridges Railroad plans second line across Pend Oreille and Sand Creek in Sandpoint
BOISE — BNSF Railway’s plan to build two bridges as part of a second railroad line in northern Idaho to accommodate increased train traffic and future growth meets environmental requirements, federal officials said Thursday.
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a final environmental assessment for the bridges across Lake Pend Oreille and Sand Creek at Sandpoint, finding no significant impact.
BOISE — BNSF Railway’s plan to build two bridges as part of a second railroad line in northern Idaho to accommodate increased train traffic and future growth meets environmental requirements,
SANDPOINT, Idaho. — BNSF Railway has offered to build a second bridge over Lake Pend Oreille, right next to the current bridge over the lake. The project will also introduce new bridges over Sand Creek and Bridge Street in Sandpoint.
The project aims to reduce congestion and help move current freight train traffic more efficiently. BNSF said this benefits all the products carried and the passenger trains that run on BNSF’s main line.
Train pulling out of the station on second rail bridge No appeal possible with Coast Guard environmental finding, ICL considering legal challenge
Sandpoint Reader · SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
By Lyndsie Kiebert and Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff
Since Burlington Northern-Santa Fe announced plans in the spring of 2017 to begin pursuing permits for building a second rail bridge to span Sand Creek and Lake Pend Oreille, community members have been vocally divided on the project.
The U.S. Coast Guard released its Environmental Assessment of the project — known officially as the Sandpoint Junction Connector Project — and accompanying “Finding of No Significant Impact” on Sept. 5, which marked the clearance of a major hurdle for BNSF.
By Lyndsie Kiebert and Zach Hagadone Reader Staff Since Burlington Northern-Santa Fe announced plans in the spring of 2017 to begin pursuing permits for building a second rail bridge to span Sand Creek and Lake...
The first signs of physical progress have been made in BNSF Railway’s long-awaited plan to build a second bridge, nearly a mile in length, running parallel to its existing bridge across Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint, Idaho. Preliminary grading began in September 2019 on both sides of the lake to prepare the approaches to the new bridge. Within the city of Sandpoint itself, grade work has included the construction of a pedestrian tunnel—paid for by BNSF—which will safely maintain public access through railroad property to a popular beach and lakeside trail.
The first signs of physical progress have been made in BNSF Railway’s long-awaited plan to build a second bridge, nearly a mile in length, running parallel to its existing bridge across Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint, Idaho. Preliminary grading began in September 2019 on both sides of the lake...
To meet the growing needs of the communities we serve, BNSF is building a second rail bridge over Lake Pend Oreille adjacent to the existing rail bridge.
keepsandpointrolling.com
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Freight rail plays an important role in the regional economy, transporting goods and commodities we all use every day.
To meet the growing needs of the communities we serve, BNSF is building a second rail bridge over Lake Pend Oreille adjacent to the existing rail bridge. We are also building new bridges over Sand Creek and Bridge Street in Sandpoint.
The upgrades will reduce congestion and help move our current freight traffic and future volumes more efficiently; this benefits all the products we carry and the passenger trains that run on our main line.
When the second bridge is completed, trains will run in both directions, reducing the need to idle while waiting to cross the existing single track. As a result, local drivers could see shorter wait times on nearby roads that cross BNSF tracks, and the flow of freight and passenger trains will be improved throughout the region.
BNSF began site clearing and grading in September 2019. Most of the grading for phase one of the project is complete. The last of the grading work will be completed after the bridge is in service. The bridge contractor mobilized equipment to the site in March 2020 and began limited work during the lake drawdown period.
BNSF is also paying for and building temporary and permanent trails to ensure that people can use the bike and pedestrian path throughout construction. The pedestrian tunnel being installed by BNSF will be a permanent fixture of the trail. It is crafted in the same style as the tunnel installed by the County underneath Bottle Bay Road.
In April 2020, BNSF plans to start the construction of the temporary access bridge near Dog Beach. Part of this work will include pile driving, and all work will be done in accordance with our permit guidelines. All pile driving activities will be conducted during permitted hours which are as follows:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — within the City of Sandpoint, at Bridge Street and Sand Creek
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — for the second bridge over Lake Pend Oreille
I can’t take credit for the images, that’s a BNSF press release from the project website that I posted a link to. I’ll add a note to make that clearer.
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