Work starts to replace collapsed Idaho suspension bridge

Exploratory drilling has started to find anchor points for a new bridge over the Salmon River in east-central Idaho to replace a suspension bridge that collapsed.

Dan Slanina of the Western Federal Lands Highway Division tells the Post Register in a story on Wednesday that workers are searching for areas that could support the structure.

The Stoddard Bridge over the Salmon River in east-central Idaho that provided access to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness collapsed earlier this year.

The 348-foot-long bridge was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corp. The site is about 40 miles west of North Fork, and just downstream of the confluence of the Salmon River and Middle Fork Salmon River.

Officials say hikers, hunters and anglers used the bridge to access the wilderness area.