ACHD, ITD Complete Interim Repairs on Eckert Bridge; Bridge to Reopen Today

BOISE — Interim repairs on the Eckert Road Bridge are now complete, and the structure is once again safe for travel. Following a final inspection, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has confirmed that the bridge can reopen for passenger vehicles and commercial traffic that meet legal load requirements. The bridge is scheduled to reopen by the end of the day today, Monday, March 10.

The bridge was originally closed at the end of January after a routine inspection revealed severe decay in its support structures. Given the urgency of the situation, ITD developed a repair plan based off of a similar bridge in northern Idaho and worked in tandem with ACHD to secure emergency permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Public safety is always our top priority,” said Ryan Head, ACHD Director. “This project was a true testament to the power of partnership. We appreciate ITD’s quick response in developing a repair plan, and we thank the public for their patience as we worked to ensure the bridge’s safety. This collaboration allowed us to address a critical issue and restore access as quickly as possible.”

Repairs began on February 17, when crews started diverting a portion of the Boise River. The repair process involved using steel plate channels to reinforce the bridge’s support piles, with each pile then supported by a concrete base. Crews worked in phases, diverting one half of the river at a time. Crews from ACHD and ITD worked together each day, including over weekends and holidays, to complete the repairs as quickly as possible.

“This project required a rapid and coordinated effort, and we’re pleased with the outcome,” said ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney. “Our teams worked tirelessly to ensure the bridge could safely reopen before river levels rose, and we’re grateful for the collaboration that made it possible.”

After crews finished repairs on all severely decayed piles, along with several that showed moderate decay, ITD conducted a final inspection to ensure the bridge was safe to reopen with no weight restriction. The repairs were completed in time for the summer float season, ensuring safe access for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

ACHD and ITD completed the project in a joint effort, with ACHD reimbursing ITD for materials and staff time. While final accounting of costs is still being completed, the estimated cost of the interim repairs is $500,000.

ACHD remains committed to the long-term reconstruction of the Eckert Bridge, with accelerated design work having begun in early February. The District is tentatively aiming to begin reconstruction on the bridge in fall 2026. More details on the full replacement project will be shared as plans progress.