Key bridge near downtown Boise repeatedly damaged, sending railing into river
The Boise Police Department was searching for suspects Friday after a bridge near downtown was damaged, repaired — and then damaged again.
Officials say the incidents sent part of the bridge’s pedestrian railing into the Boise River and left $15,000 to $20,000 of repairs needed.
Boise police responded to the Parkcenter Bridge late Thursday night after receiving a report of malicious injury to property, a criminal offense, according to the department.
They found that two large metal panels of the bridge had been forced off their mounts, damaging both the panels and the concrete structure of the bridge, according to the police news release. Suspects were seen pushing over one of the same panels the day before.
The Ada County Highway District repaired that panel Thursday morning, before learning that night that “the damage worsened,” according to a news release from the highway district.
Police are “working to identify the suspects involved in both incidents,” according to BPD. “Anyone with information is asked to contact Ada County Non-Emergency Dispatch at (208) 377-6790.”
Damage prompts pedestrian closure, safety concerns
Pedestrian access on the east side of the bridge is closed due to “serious” safety concerns, ACHD announced Friday.
One of the damaged panels was temporarily re-secured, according to the ACHD release, but the other fell into the river, creating “an unprotected drop-off.”
ACHD said “initial evidence suggests the railing may have been deliberately removed to allow individuals to jump into the river.”
The highway district installed barricades but said the closure will remain in place until repairs are completed.
Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use alternate routes, including the west side of the Parkcenter Bridge and other nearby crossings.
“We want to stress to the public that the barriers in place are there for your safety,” Shandy Lam, an ACHD spokesperson, said in the release. “No one should attempt to move or bypass these barricades under any circumstances.”
Railing still in Boise River
Boise police say the damaged railing is still in the Boise River after the Boise Fire Dive Team determined it could not be removed.
“Fire crews conducted upstream and downstream safety checks, and at the current water level, the railing is not impacting floaters,” the BPD release said.
ACHD says the railing is expected to be retrieved this fall under safer river conditions.
This story was originally published August 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM.
