Ada County will construct a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the Boise River in Garden City, closing a gap in the Boise River Greenbelt that has frustrated users for years.
The county is using approximately $650,000 in grant funding from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council and COMPASS, the regional planning organization, to design the bridge. The structure will connect the south side of the river near 52nd Street with the pathway on Plantation Island.
Closing the Greenbelt Gap
Currently, the Greenbelt on the river’s south side ends abruptly near 52nd Street due to private homes between that point and Remington Street, east of Expo Idaho. Users must detour through residential neighborhoods or onto busy roads near the Chinden Boulevard and Glenwood Street intersection to continue their journey.
The new bridge will eliminate that detour, allowing uninterrupted foot and bicycle traffic through the area. Ada County Senior Project Manager Josh Brown explained that the bridge provides a direct crossing without forcing people off the Greenbelt into traffic.
Project Timeline and Costs
Garden City originally planned to complete the project but asked Ada County to assume responsibility at the end of 2025. While grant funds cover most of the cost, the city needed assistance with the required local matching funds.
Ada County is awaiting approval to request qualifications from design firms for the year-long design process, which will establish the bridge’s exact location and length. Construction costs remain uncertain until design work concludes, though bridges across rivers typically cost around $3,000 per linear foot.
The project has been under discussion since at least June 2022, according to planning documents from COMPASS.
Construction Schedule
Once design work wraps up, construction is expected to occur between September 2027 and March 2028. This timeframe takes advantage of lower river levels during those months, which will facilitate the building process.
Connection to Expo Idaho Park Project
The bridge opening is projected roughly two years after Ada County completes its renovation of the former Les Bois horse racing park at the Expo Idaho site. That 50-acre park along the Boise River is already underway.
Impact on Ada County Residents
The bridge will improve connectivity for the thousands of Ada County residents and visitors who use the Boise River Greenbelt for recreation and commuting. By eliminating the forced detour through traffic-heavy areas, the project enhances both safety and convenience for cyclists and pedestrians traveling through Garden City along the river corridor.
The improved Greenbelt access also supports property values and quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods by making one of the Treasure Valley’s most popular recreational amenities more accessible to families and outdoor enthusiasts.