10/3/2014
Public offers comments on Broadway Bridge replacement project
BOISE – Comments gathered at a public meeting on the replacement of the Broadway Bridge in east Boise ranged from support for maintaining views of the Boise River to providing bicycle lanes.
Wednesday night’s meeting was held to give residents the opportunity to comment on the bridge’s design, a full-closure of Broadway Avenue versus a partial closure during construction and how pedestrians and bicyclists would access the Greenbelt, among other proposed changes.
The current bridge is too narrow for the number of vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists that travel over it, particularly during local community and Boise State University events. On average, 24,500 vehicles travel across the bridge each day, along with many pedestrians and bicyclists.
Lesley Blumenschein, one of the owners of the Deli George restaurant on Broadway Avenue, said proposed bike lanes will help reduce congestion.
“I really like that they’ve provided a place for bikes to go,” she said. “When you’re walking to a BSU football game, you have to watch out for bicyclists and skateboarders. It’ll make it a lot easier for everyone.”
Blumenschein also is supportive of a full closure of the Broadway Bridge during construction. A full closure will allow the bridge to be rebuilt in 9 months, as opposed to 18 months if one lane in each direction is kept open.
“I’d rather trade 18 months for 9 months,” Blumenschein said.
Nick Roberts and Kirsten Severud also attended the meeting. They routinely bicycle across the Broadway Bridge, and support having enough space for cyclists.
Roberts said a dedicated bicyle lane would help him feel more safe when riding across the bridge.
“Bike lanes and sidewalks are needed,” Roberts said. “I like to be as far from traffic as possible.”
Severud would like to see lighting incorporated into the bridge’s railing.
“I like the idea of rail lighting,” she said. “I’d like to minimize light pollution.”
Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2015. After being rebuilt, the bridge will have three lanes in each direction, Broadway Avenue will be repaved between Myrtle Street and Front Street, and the Greenbelt pathway near the bridge will be improved, among other changes.
News Editors/Directors:
For video footage and still photos illustrating the meeting, please visit ftp1.idaho.gov. In the User Name field, enter itdcommu. The password is W39gy7D2. Still photos are in a folder titled Broadway Bridge PM 10:1:2014. Video footage is titled Broadway Bridge Public Mtg 10:1:14.mp4.