This Day in North Idaho History, March 3, 1934

March 3, 1934, second version of the Long Bridge connecting Sandpoint and Sagle is dedicated.

The first bridge to span Lake Pend Oreille was built in 1908 and lasted 25 years.  The next bridge construction was a project of the WPA, Works Project Administration at a cost of $160,000.  The bridge was just short of 2 miles and was known for years as the world's longest wooden bridge.

Construction wasn't without problems.  Five thousand pounds of steel to be used for girders was dropped into 20 feet of water at Dover when the boom being used to load it onto a barge broke.

The fourth and current bridge was completed in 1981.  The third bridge is next to the main one and is now used by walkers, runners and bicyclists.

The Long Bridge is also the site of the Long Bridge Swim the first Saturday in August.