Construction projects complete in downtown Pocatello, Center Street and Benton Bridge expected to finish in 2026
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Drivers and pedestrians have navigated orange cones, cranes and lower speeds through the historic downtown district in Pocatello all summer. Yesterday, the city announced two of the projects are complete, with two others expected to wrap up before the end of the year.
The City of Pocatello has undertaken several major construction projects this year, all in the hopes of providing long-term safety for visitors. The projects support the City's Comprehensive Plan 2040, a series of construction updates to the downtown infrastructure that more easily connects the community.
The Downtown Safety Improvement Project is now complete, with tangible differences in city sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps. The project focused along North Main Street and North Arthur Ave and provides new curb extensions and ramps for enhanced accessibility.
"We installed some bulb outs, it's a traffic calming device and it gives an island for pedestrians to stand," said Tom Kirkman, Public Works Director for the City of Pocatello. "It helps with visibility as well as safety as they cross the road."
The Urban Forestry Improvements Project is also finished in historic downtown which inlcluded tree removals, pruning and replanting. The project was possible thanks to the Urban and Community Forestry Grant awarded in 2023.
"Some of the trees adjacent to the decorative light poles in downtown were in need of some help, some were in rough shape and some had died," Kirkman explained. "We were able to use a grant that we got to go in and install new trees."
Two other projects remain in the works that continue to effect driver and pedestrian traffic into historic downtown. The Portneuf River Bridge Replacement on West Benton Street has reached a new phase of construction, with crews focusing on the bridge deck.
They have installed all nine beams to form the structural framework of the bridge, and will make the bridge deck before final roadway improvements can reopen the road.
The Benton Bridge is expected to complete by October.
"We got a bridge bundle grant and it was a little over two million," Kirkman said. "It has been totally excavated and the new girders are in. So it's moving along and now they're going to start putting decking and concrete down."
The Center Street Underpass project has also reached a new phase, reopening to pedestrian traffic. This is the largest and most significant of the current Pocatello improvement projects. Crews have successfully completed a sidewalk along the south side of the underpass for pedestrians to use while they shift focus to the north side.
"We're hoping to have a year end completion, there have been delays in the process," Kirkman said. "We've got the walls all poured and a new sidewalk on the south side which is now open for pedestrian traffic. We're very optimistic that it's picking up some speed."
The city is also encouraging people to stay informed throughout the construction process on the remaining two projects through their website pocatello.gov/projects.
"We're hoping with these new improvements and the reconstruction that we'll get another hundred years out of the underpass and we appreciate all the patience from everyone," Kirkman said. "We know it's inconvenient, but we want to encourage everybody to support historic downtown."
