8/24/2015
Work to relocate utilities begins this week in preparation for replacing the Broadway Avenue Bridge
BOISE – Over the next several months, crews will be relocating utilities at the Broadway Avenue Bridge in downtown Boise, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced. The work is part of preparations to replace the bridge.
“Relocating utilities is the first phase of the process to replace the Broadway Bridge,” said ITD Project Manager Mark Campbell. “ITD is working diligently to finalize all details for this project, and we hope to begin construction of the bridge as soon as this December.”
On Tuesday and Wednesday (Aug. 25 and 26), crews will move heavy equipment into the east side of Julia Davis Park and fence off a work zone. The utility relocation process is anticipated to begin late this week or early next when crews begin the excavation of a bore pit.
A bore is an underground pipe casing used for installing infrastructure such as telecommunications and utility lines. The method of boring is most often used for running utilities under waterways, roadways, congested or environmentally sensitive areas.
“Some utilities will be relocated before construction begins, and some will be moved while the bridge is being built,” Campbell said. “Impacts to the public during the phase of relocating utilities will be minimal; however, throughout the fall, drivers and neighbors can expect to see construction activity incrementally increasing on Broadway Avenue near the bridge.”
Once utilities have been run through the bore, crews will begin the process of digging trenches to relocate some of the telecommunications utilities.
“The trench work will require lane restrictions and flagging on Broadway Avenue for about two weeks because some utilities will be relocated underneath the roadway both north and south of the Broadway Bridge,” said Campbell. “ITD will continue to provide advance notification of all traffic impacts associated with this project.”
The transportation department is planning to fully close Broadway Avenue from Caesar Chavez Drive to Myrtle Street once construction begins to remove and rebuild the bridge over the Boise River. The Greenbelt under the bridge also will be closed on both sides of the river. Designated detour routes will be announced once the transportation department has selected a construction contractor.
The existing Broadway Bridge is over 50 years old and needs to be rebuilt to meet today's current and future traffic volumes. The current bridge is too narrow for the high volume of cars, pedestrians and bicyclists that travel over it, particularly during community events.
When complete, the new bridge will include more lanes for traffic, wider sidewalks, bicycle lanes and improved access to the Greenbelt.
To sign up for e-mail updates, please visit: www.itd.idaho.gov/broadwaybridge/, send your e-mail to comments@itd.idaho.gov or call (208) 334-8005.