The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail bridge that was lost to an arson fire has been rebuilt and will reopen Monday.
In little over a month’s time, crews rebuilt the bridge. Construction is expected to finish this weekend, and trailgoers can begin crossing next week, according to a news release provided by the Whitman County Parks and Recreation department.
The bridge was reportedly set ablaze by a Moscow teenager in August 2023.
Bill Tensfeld, director of the parks department, said the span cost about $250,000, which was not covered by the county’s insurance.
It was a community effort to rebuild the bridge, he added. Whitman County, the Palouse Trail Committee, Washington State University, and cities of Moscow and Pullman each contributed $40,000. Around $50,000 of the Chipman Trail maintenance budget was used to make up the difference, he said.
Foot traffic was rerouted to the shoulder of eastbound Washington State Route 270 and a portion of the highway was reduced to one lane during construction. The detour and lane reduction will be lifted when the bridge reopens, parks department financial specialist Heather Lantz said.
