Major construction plans reshape Boise, Idaho area

Construction in the Boise area pushes forward with major plans and unexpected challenges. Meridian will see huge growth with the new Pinnacle community, including over 2,000 homes and a possible Costco anchoring the Apex Zenith development. Boise’s only food truck park, Green Acres, is gearing up for a move and expansion near the Greenbelt by Payette Brewing, promising more space for visitors.

In the mountains, a long-disputed copper exploration project near Idaho City secured federal approval, reopening debates about environmental risks. Meanwhile, urgent fixes have kept a popular Southeast Boise bridge open, but officials now face the costly task of full replacement after surprising decay was found.

Jon Wardle, Brighton Corp.’s president of development said he wants Pinnacle to be a part of creating a new identity for South Meridian. He called the new area they are creating Meridian’s “SoMe” district, which stands for South Meridian. Here, at the northwest corner of Locust Grove and Lake HAzel Road, Brighton plans to build a public amphitheater, left, and a community center, top right. Other stores and restaurants will eventually be built, too.

NO. 1: 800 ACRES. 2,000 HOMES. PERHAPS A COSTCO. A GIANT MERIDIAN DEVELOPMENT IS MOVING AHEAD

“We’re sensitive to creating another Eagle Road here,” one City Council member said. | Published January 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rose Evans

Ada County Highway Department workers on a chip-spreader vehicle distribute gravel over a polymer-infused oil while performing chipseal work on South 12th Street in Boise in 2015. Several rubber-tire roller vehicles follow the chip spreader and push the gravel into the oil.

NO. 2: CLIMATE CHANGE TAKES AN UNEXPECTED TOLL ON ADA COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE. THIS IS HOW

2024 has been an “abnormal” year, but it may become the new normal, a top Ada County Highway District official says. | Published November 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sarah Cutler

Green Acres Food Truck Park is right off the Boise Greenbelt.

NO. 3: BOISE HAS ONLY ONE FOOD TRUCK PARK. NOW IT PLANS TO MOVE — TO A ‘BEAUTIFUL’ PLACE

It’s “really, really, really excited” about relocating. | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Deeds

A hangar is under construction on Wright Road near the Boise Airport, Jan. 23, 2025. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 4: THE BOISE HANGAR THAT COLLAPSED & KILLED 3 IS GOING BACK UP. WHAT’S DIFFERENT THIS TIME?

The same Meridian contractor is rebuilding the Jackson Jet Center hangar that collapsed at the Boise Airport in 2024. Much of the frame is already up. | Published January 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

ACHD crews close Eckert Road Bridge after a recent inspection cited “widespread structural decay,” according to an ACHD press release issued, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The bridge spans the Boise River at Barber Park. By Darin Oswald

NO. 5: A POPULAR SE BOISE BRIDGE NEARLY COLLAPSED IN JANUARY. IT’S NOW REOPEN. WHAT TO KNOW

The Ada County Highway District declared an emergency after finding the popular Eckert Road Bridge could only support the weight of about one car. What’s next? | Published March 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

The area where Idaho Copper wants to begin a copper mine exploration project. The mine would be located near Idaho City and Grimes Creek. Idaho Copper seeks to gain approval from the U.S. Forest Service through a CuMo Mine Exploration Project.

NO. 6: KILLED TWICE IN FEDERAL COURT, THIS COPPER MINE OUTSIDE BOISE TAKES FIRST BIG STEP FORWARD

The controversial project could lead to one of the world’s largest open-pit mines. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nicole Blanchard

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.