BOISE -- After months of construction, the Broadway Bridge is finally poised to reopen to cars, bicycles and pedestrians.
The Idaho Department of Transportation announced Thursday the bridge will open Friday, Sept. 9. An opening ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. with ITD Director Brian Ness, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, Boise State University President Dr. Robert Kustra and other officials.
"Anyone who lives, works and travels in this part of town on the Broadway Bridge, around the Broadway Bridge, we really appreciate their patience throughout this process," said Jennifer Gonzalez with ITD. "There have been many factors that have gone into meeting these milestones."
One group that has been feeling the strain since this project began - the businesses along Broadway Avenue - and now they'll be seeing some relief. Managers at the Qdoba right next to the bridge say they saw a tremendous decrease in business. A cut in sales also meant cuts in staff while the construction was going on.
"We did have to cut hours because it was slow so they're really excited because they're actually going to get more hours so they're going to be working a little more," said General Manager Pablo Amzcua.
The opening comes just one day before Boise State's first home football game vs. Washington State.
The bridge, which will be fully open at 1 p.m., features three lanes in each direction, with bike lanes and 10-foot sidewalks on each side. All lanes of University Drive, Myrtle Street Front Street and the north and south Greenbelt will also be open.
ITD Resident Engineer Daris Bruce asked people in Boise to be patient and continue to follow the rules until the bridge is fully opened.
"Activity in the work zone will increase in the days before the opening," he said in a press release."Safety will continue to be our highest priority. We continue to ask for patience from motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Please stay out of the work zone and use the designated detour routes."
