40 NOVEMBER 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Booth 331 What Will Happen to the Rainbow Bridge? Adapted from Information by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Nearly a century after its construction, the current Rainbow Bridge no longer meets ITD standards for state highway bridges. Despite regular maintenance and major repairs, the structure is deteriorating to the point where ITD will no longer be able to maintain it for highway traffic. They are making plans to build a new bridge over the North Fork of the Payette River in Valley County. The ITD will begin soil and rock sampling to build a new bridge and address plans for the nearby Rainbow Bridge, which has served Idaho travelers since 1933. The sampling will require test drilling in 18 locations around the existing bridge. Prior to drilling, ITD will remove trees and vegetation near each drilling location to allow a helicopter to safely lower equipment. The results of sampling will be used for designing the bridge foundation, supports, and retaining walls along State Highway 55 and the ground will be reseeded after drilling. ITD will work with technical and environmental experts, agencies, and community members to design the new bridge. This process will include: j Completing environmental studies regarding wetlands, endangered species, cultural resources, and socioeconomic resources, the Clean Water Act, and other issues. j Completing technical studies such as, geotechnical and hydraulics work. j Evaluating a range of alternatives for the new bridge. j Determining the future of the existing bridge “We intend to approach this project with a high level of transparency, sensitivity, and community involvement,” ITD Resident Engineer Dan Gorley said. “Public input will be a key consideration in the final recommendation for the new bridge and the existing bridge.” GEOTECH Happy Thanksgiving The WWDR office will be closed Thursday, November 28, to allow our employees to spend time with their families. Limited staff will be available on Friday, November 29; e-mail will be monitored. We wish you and yours a blessed and safe holiday.
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