8/20/2014
Public invited Aug. 26 to view preliminary design for Big Wood River Bridge to Elkhorn project
KETCHUM – A public open house to gather comments on proposed changes to Idaho 75 involving replacement of the Big Wood River Bridge south of Elkhorn Road, will be held Tuesday (Aug. 26), the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kentwood Lodge at 180 South Main Street in Ketchum. Interested parties may drop in anytime during the session to view displays, provide comment and discuss the project with ITD and design-team representatives.
This is the second project to be developed as outlined in the Timmerman to Ketchum Final Environmental Impact Statement (Idaho 75 EIS) completed in August 2008. Design elements of the Big Wood River Bridge project are based on the Idaho 75 EIS concept plans. The project is fully funded and planned for construction in 2016-17.
Proposed changes include replacing and widening the existing Big Wood River Bridge to four lanes with widened shoulders and a safety median. The project will blend the new bridge lane configuration to the existing four-lane sections north and south of the bridge. The signal and left-turn lane at Elkhorn Road will remain unchanged. The proposed changes are now in the design phase.
Preliminary design information also includes specific bridge design that involves improved wildlife passage under the bridge, a reduced number of piers in the river and aesthetic treatments. The design also addresses roadway drainage in the area, along with the evaluation of various environmental issues including wetlands, historic and cultural resources, noise and visual considerations.
If you have questions regarding the meeting or the project in general, please contact ITD project manager Steve Hunter at steve.hunter@itd.idaho.gov or by phone at 1-208-886-7846. Information on the project can also be found at http://itd.idaho.gov/Projects/D4Idaho75TimmermanToKetchum/bigwoodriverbridge.asp