ACHD and ITD Begin Work on Interim Repairs for Eckert Road Bridge in Boise

BOISE — The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) are pleased to announce that work is beginning on interim repairs for the Eckert Road Bridge, which was built over the Boise River in 1954. This collaborative effort aims to allow the bridge to temporarily reopen by the end of spring, providing additional time for the design and planning of a long-term replacement.

Since the emergency bridge closure, staff at ITD have been working diligently on a plan for interim repairs following ACHD’s decision to close the bridge at the end of January. ITD designed the repair plan based on prior work on a similar bridge in northern Idaho, and bridge engineers have confirmed that it is suitable for the Eckert Road Bridge. Additionally, ITD has procured the needed materials for the project and worked in coordination with ACHD to secure emergency permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Now with the design complete and permits in hand, ACHD and ITD crews plan to begin work in the river next week. Work is expected to begin as early as Monday, February 17. During the repair work, the pedestrian and bicycle bridge will be closed for safety. The main bridge will also be closed to bicycles and pedestrians.

The interim repairs are estimated to take four to eight weeks to complete. However, the exact timeline of repairs will depend on how long it takes each pile to be reinforced, as well as the available window for crews to work in the river before spring flows rise. ACHD expects to have a more accurate time frame as the work progresses.

The repair process will involve using steel plate channels to reinforce the bridge’s support piles. Specifically, two plates will be bolted together around each affected timber pile and then supported by a concrete base.

Working in the river poses unique challenges. To install concrete bases for the steel reinforcements, ACHD will need to divert a portion of the river. Work will end in time for spring runoff, at which point water levels will be too high to continue safely working.

“ITD has been a critical partner in ensuring we can get this bridge reopened as quickly and safely as possible,” ACHD Director Ryan Head said. “We appreciate our partner agency’s expertise and assistance in developing and executing this interim repair plan. These repairs aim to allow for the reopening prior to our popular float season while also providing ACHD additional time to properly plan for a long-term replacement.”

ACHD and ITD will complete the work in a joint effort, with ACHD reimbursing ITD for materials and staff time. The estimated cost to repair the bridge is $500,000. Crews will divert half of the Boise River at a time in this area to complete the repairs.

“ITD is bringing its expertise to help expedite this emergency bridge repair,” ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney said. “This teamwork demonstrates the strength of interagency collaboration, and we are committed to reopening for the community and emergency services to have a safe and functional crossing while the long-term replacement project solutions are developed.”