It's a bridge with a bit of history. Engineers say the same company who built the Old Highway 30 Bridge in Caldwell also built the Sears Tower and the Empire State Building. But unlike those modern marvels, This one-lane-bridge hasn't withstood the test of time.
"The bridge has been identified as being structurally deficient," explained Steve Waldinger of Forsgren Associates Inc. The contractors who are working on the project.
"Some people are worried oh is it gonna break that was the first issue when I got here I was like oh that thing is so old does it hold," Echoed on local residents over the bridges age.
Now, engineers hope to bring new life to the 94-year-old bridge which crosses the Boise River. They plan to build a new bridge and make improvements to the old one. Turning it into a pure bike and pedestrians crossing for Caldwell's greenbelt. Local residents say turning the old bridge into pedestrians use only makes sense. They want to keep its history alive and clean up the traffic that is caused by the bridges only lane.
"A lot of people get confused on how to get through and it causes a lot of traffic issues so building a new bridge might be better," Said one resident.
Engineers aren't sure where they're going to build the new bridge yet. They have a couple idea's but the project is only in a conceptional phase.
"Right now we have no clue where were crossing the river and we'd like the public's input on what their thoughts and wants are, " Said Waldinger
Officials will be holding a public meeting next Thursday at the canyon county highway district 4 office.
