Garfield Bridge Close to Opening

A major construction project is close to finishing in Idaho Falls.

People living along Garfield Street near the canal have been taking detours for months, as crews have literally replaced the existing bridge with a new and hopefully longer-lasting one.

The end of June is the latest projected date for it, but construction workers tell me they’re ahead of schedule.

It started in November. Construction unfolded with crews ripping out the old Garfield bridge following 35 years of wear and tear.

According to city engineer Kent Fugal, the bridge needed to be replaced before it became unsafe.

Built in the early 1950s, this isn’t the first time the bridge has needed an overhaul. It was also replaced in 1977.

Fugal said this time around the bridge doesn’t have piers — those pillars shooting straight down into the water.

They’re also installing valley gutters to keep water from running into the lanes.

For the most part, it will look the same.

As of Tuesday, the bridge was only open to foot traffic, allowing neighborhood kids to get to school and back. That may change as early as Friday though.

Darren Delehanty with JM Concrete said after he pours asphalt on Thursday, drivers don’t have to wait anymore. He’ll open it up for neighbors to drive on through. “Things are going according to plan. They’re a little bit ahead of schedule,” said Delehanty.

Fugal said safety will be the number one consideration.

“We don’t want to put traffic back on it too soon, but we’re hoping that we can work with the contractor to get traffic back on there while we’re finishing up some of these items,” said Fugel.

Some of our viewers have emailed in asking why they hear jackhammers on the bridge.

It’s because construction crews are re-doing one of the sidewalks. It was built too high.

Funding for the bridge is mainly provided by the federal government, with the city of Idaho Falls matching seven percent of the cost.