Drum roll, please: Here’s peek at what may replace Idaho’s historic Rainbow Bridge
Transportation officials are finally unveiling the structure they are planning as a replacement for the iconic Rainbow Bridge.
The Idaho Transportation Department released images on Thursday of their preferred design for the new bridge across the Payette River.
New renderings show a suspension bridge with high orange beams. They also suggested an homage to the original bridge using artwork to depict it on the side of a nearby mountain.
Located over the river as part of Idaho 55 about an hour south of McCall and 62 miles north of Boise, the current Rainbow Bridge, which opened in 1933, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Transportation department experts found that the landmark is becoming increasingly unsafe and needs to be torn down. The state said keeping the Rainbow Bridge would cost $20 to $50 million.
The new design, however, is still flexible. The department is seeking public input as it moves forward with the project.
The department will hold an open house from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the American Legion Post 60 in Cascade, located at 105 East Mill Street, according to an ITD announcement on the project’s website starting that day. Members of the public will be allowed to provide feedback on the design until June 4 at an open house or through the project website.
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“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, while also reducing the need for long-term maintenance.
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.”
