What will Idaho’s Rainbow Bridge replacement look like? Wait is almost over
For many in the Boise area, one of the most memorable moments of driving up north is crossing the nearly century-old Rainbow Bridge.
Soon, that river crossing will look different, as officials move forward with plans to replace the aging structure.
Located over the Payette River on Idaho 55 about an hour south of McCall and 62 miles north of Boise, the Rainbow Bridge, which opened in 1933, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Idaho Transportation Department has said a new bridge is needed after its experts found that the landmark is becoming increasingly unsafe.
Following a lengthy decision-making process, ITD officials are ready to unveil the preferred design for the bridge that will replace that Idaho 55 structure — which some people don’t want to see go.
The design will be unveiled at an open house from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, at the American Legion Post 60 in Cascade, located at 105 East Mill Street, according to an ITD announcement. People may attend in person or view materials online at the project’s website starting that day. The department said it would accept input on the design until June 4.
“The open house will also include an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on aesthetic features for the project, including artistic wall treatments,” Idaho Transportation Department spokesperson Jill Youmans told the Idaho Statesman by email. “One option includes artwork honoring the historic bridge.”
Previous rounds of input from community members and stakeholders helped narrow down ITD’s nine original bridge concepts. Officials received comments that people wanted the project to include an “iconic design,” avoid a “false historic” appearance and reduce the need for long-term maintenance.
History lovers have pushed back on the need to tear down Rainbow Bridge. But the department said its experts determined that, with the historic bridge’s “extensive” deterioration and “significant and widespread” corrosion, keeping it would “require a significant effort” and between $20 to $50 million in investments.
The department said the new design will improve safety “by eliminating tight curves on both sides of the bridge, increasing sight distance for motorists, and accommodating wider and longer vehicles.”
