RUPERT -- Highway districts that own Jackson Bridge have set a Sept. 6 public hearing to discuss their decision to abandon the bridge that spans the Snake River at Minidoka County road 500 East near 200 North.

But residents interested in preserving the wooden bridge that was built in 1950 have asked that the decision to raze the structure be postponed until 2006. More than 2,500 people signed petitions urging the Minidoka County and Burley highway districts to consider all funding options before demolishing the bridge.

State Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo, said he sent a letter to the chairmen of the highway districts asking the groups to consider waiting a year before proceeding with demolition. That would give a citizens' group time to explore options for preserving the bridge.

Butler Engineering estimates the two highway districts would share a $500,000 to $700,000 bill if they decide to demolish Jackson Bridge.

The Burley Highway District has set aside money in the last three budgets for the Jackson Bridge. Initially, the board looked at what it would need for 20 percent matching funds for bridge replacement, but that money could be used for demolition, said Galen Smyer, a district board member.

Minidoka County Highway District Superintendent Jesse Miller said his district allocated $10,000 in this year's budget for Jackson Bridge engineering studies.

Directors for the citizens' group wanting to preserve the bridge are Jim Grisenti, Dale Child, Dean Shaw, Marvin Cazier, Kyle Carpenter, Kirk Buckley and Jeffrey Johnson.

The group, which probably will call itself the Save Our Bridge Society, presented petitions with more than 2,500 signatures, Grisenti said.

Bridge may be added to register

The Jackson Bridge meets the National Register of Historic Places criteria for engineering design, said Don Watts with the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office.

"It is a very good example of long bridge technology and an unusually late example of a wood bridge constructed when most new bridges were built with concrete," Watts said.

A state review panel now will evaluate the Jackson Bridge register application and make its recommendation to the keeper of the National Register of Historic Places.

Being on the national register would not protect the bridge from demolition, but it would make the bridge eligible for special funding to finance restoration or structural upgrades, Watts said.