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This summer, the Trout Creek bridge over the Clark Fork River will be repaired by the Montana Department of Transportation. Driving over that bridge this week, we think the project is well overdue.

There will be one-lane traffic over the bridge during most of the construction, with the full bridge closed for six full weeks. This sounds like a huge inconvenience — and it will be.

There are many people who drive from west of Trout Creek or even Noxon to Thompson Falls for work. Some hospital employees drive all the way to Plains. Having to go up Blue Slide instead of Highway 200 is going to add miles and time to their commute. Hopping over to Sandpoint for a quick shopping trip will be difficult. Luckily, Thompson Pass will be open during construction for another route to the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane area.

Just as last summer people adjusted to the construction between Thompson Falls and Plains, so will we next summer with the Trout Creek project. Having a safer roadway to travel over outweighs the inconvenience.