Ada County leaders are getting ready to remove a bridge on the Garden City Greenbelt. Ada County Commissioners say extensive erosion on the Boise River Greenbelt near the south bridge on Plantation Island is causing concerns the bridge will break loose and fall into the river.
"If they should come loose from their footings and break away, they could potentially go down river, collecting a lot of debris and taking out the Glenwood Bridge, which would be a disaster to this community," said Judy Peavery-Derr, a board member for the Idaho Foundation For Parks and Lands.
Authorities have been keeping a close eye on the bridge for weeks. In late February, the greenbelt on Plantation Island was closed due to high water levels. County leaders say a crane will move the 100-foot bridge to nearby Expo Idaho property. Officials say it is all being paid for with emergency management funds
"We don't want people getting hurt with the high water. It's the highest I've ever seen it," said one greenbelt user.
The bridge and a smaller one on the other side of Plantation Island were donated to the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands. They allow hikers and bikers to get all the way to Eagle Island State Park. While there is a plan to remove the bridge, so far, leaders do not know when they will be able to put it back. County leaders say with the unpredictability of Boise River flows over the next few months, the greenbelt near Plantation Island is closed indefinitely.
"We've got a wait till this water passes, and I think we got a few more weeks of high-water from the looks of it," said Peavery-Derr.
The bridge will be removed on Monday afternoon. Officials are asking the public to stay away while they are conducting the operation.
