9/11/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
ITD clears dozens of environmental, logistical hurdles to build bridge over Boise River
Little Guy coexists with Behemoth on construction
BOISE - The great blue heron is about 4 feet tall and weighs in at maybe 6 lbs. The bridge is more than 1,700 feet long, 88 feet wide and tips the scales at 38 million lbs. Not since Oscar and Felix in the Odd Couple has there been a more striking difference.
But The Little Guy does not compete with The Behemoth. In fact, the relationship is one of peaceful coexistence.
Thanks to a thorough process before the first shovel of dirt was ever turned, the effects to wildlife and the environment have been minimized during the construction of a huge bridge across the Boise River near the junction of Idaho 16 and Idaho 44.
To avoid impacts to great blue heron courtship and nesting, vegetation removal and construction activities are not allowed within a 925-foot radius of any known or identified heron rookeries during spring and early summer.
“The contract was very specific about us staying out of the area during the blue heron and eagle nesting season when construction first started,” said Dana Weiss, ITD project manager.
On a given day you’ll see blue heron, cattle egrets, turkey, falcons, hawks, redwing blackbirds and swallows near the bridge. Juvenile eagles thrive. Deer tracks abound.
Click here to see a picture of an eagle with a juvenile. The picture was taken from the south abutment of the new bridge. Here are a few more pictures of wildlife in the bridge project: 1, 2, 3.
A 2.5-mile extension of Idaho 16 is under way, connecting Chinden Boulevard (U.S. 20/26) to State Street (Idaho 44), including construction of a 1,726-foot-long, 11-span, 88-foot-wide bridge over the Boise River. More than 1.5 million pounds of rebar and over 36.6 million pounds of concrete will be used in the massive bridge. The $39 million bridge is funded by Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle bonds. In addition to construction, GARVEE also funded the design and development of the route.
Although construction started just 15 months ago, in May 2012, the environmental coordination began much earlier.
"Because of community and agency coordination and support for the project, the Environmental Impact Statement was completed in record time – just 4 years and 3 months, significantly faster than the national average for a project of this size and complexity," said ITD GARVEE Manager Amy Schroeder.
Click here for Schroeder's sound bite.
The bridge construction culminations years of preparation. ITD thoroughly coordinated with regulatory agencies, public and land-use groups to determine values and work through concerns. To meet all environmental requirements for the sensitive river-crossing construction, ITD completed all needed documents and permits, including the Environmental Impact Statement and acquisition of a number of permits, including permits for wetland mitigation, clean water, stream alteration and flood plain development.
ITD’s southwest Idaho environmental manager, Greg Vitley, added that a lot of work went toward honoring commitments made as the project moved from the design stage through to construction.
“Early and good coordination throughout the project keeps people informed and happy, and that rapport with stakeholders makes it easier to deal with any problems that might develop,” said Vitley.
“Avoiding and minimizing impacts was a big part of the coordination with resource agencies and other stakeholders as the project was being planned,” Vitley added.
Commitments were spelled out in the contract language for the bridge project to help minimize impacts to the environment. Below is a small list of items that were addressed in the contract:
WILDLIFE: Vegetation removal is minimized and restricted during specific timeframes to protect nesting season for migratory birds, which are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Great blue heron foraging habitat is located within the vicinity of the project.
AIR: The construction contractor must control air contaminants such as equipment emissions and dust that could damage crops, harm dwellings, or be a visibility nuisance. These may include regularly spraying dusty areas with water, or covering trucks that are hauling dirt or debris in an open bed. The contractor is also required to promptly clean up spills of transported material on public roadways. Wind fencing is also used to buffer wind velocities to minimize wind damage such as soil erosion and snow drifting.
WATER QUALITY: Continuous monitoring of water quality during in-stream work keeps the project in conformity with state water-quality standards.
FUEL: The restrictions even go so far as to require certain low-sulfur fuel to reduce both sulfur dioxide and particulate-matter emissions from engines.
RE-VEGETATE: Long-term soil stabilization is achieved by re-vegetating exposed areas with native vegetation once they are no longer needed for project construction.
CONTINUING COORDINATION WITH REGULATORY AGENCIES: Regular meetings with state and federal regulatory agencies keep them informed and help address concerns quickly.
“With the bridge about halfway complete, the animals are alive and active in the area. Animal life is thriving,” said Weiss.