May 30, 2001
John Redding
(208) 378-5212
Steve Jarsky
Snake River Area Office
( 208) 334-1465

Contract Awarded

Drivers heading up the gravel road to Arrowrock Dam may find the journey slower than usual while work crews get in place to construct a new bridge to access the top of the dam. The new bridge marks the first phase of construction in preparation for the replacement of old valves in the dam.

Turn-Key, Inc., of Ontario, Oregon, was awarded a $596,605 construction contract to build a new bridge. The dam is located on the Boise River about 20 miles east of Boise, Idaho.

The historic bridge presently used at Arrowrock Dam is considered too small and not strong enough to support the massive heavy equipment that will be needed to replace the 86-year-old Ensign valves. Work will also include widening the turn on the south side of the dam to further facilitate equipment access.

The new bridge will be placed over the existing spillway chute, just upstream of the present bridge. The existing bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and will remain intact as to not adversely affect on the dam’s historic integrity.

The new bridge will be constructed in phases and final construction is anticipated for mid-September 2001.

Short delays can be expected intermittently until July, at which time the large bridge beams will be transported to the site. Reclamation will issue advanced notice of delay times and durations prior to that time.