Rainbow Bridge Involvement Group Meeting
The meeting provided an update on the replacement project for the 1933 concrete arch Rainbow Bridge, which spans the North Fork of the Payette River in Valley County. Key discussion points included the confirmation of the new bridge location, which is set to be built just upstream or westerly of the existing structure. The team presented nine design alternatives for the new bridge and three options for adjacent retaining walls, emphasizing that all presented options are feasible for moving forward. There was also a detailed discussion regarding scenarios for the future of the existing bridge, supported by visual comparisons showing significant deterioration since a major rehabilitation in 2006, evidenced by corrosion and spalling. Furthermore, the team addressed the ongoing interim maintenance work on the existing bridge, which is focused solely on maintaining operability through the construction period, and outlined the project schedule, anticipating final design selection in 2025 and construction in 2028. Input from attendees regarding bridge aesthetics and traffic impacts was solicited.