Vandalism and tampering of control devices on pedestrian Long Bridge could mean full closure

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

As inspectors with the Idaho Transportation Department are addressing deteriorating concrete beams beneath the deck of the pedestrian portion of the Long Bridge, some users are making that work more difficult by vandalizing the access barriers and, in some cases, removing them.

“ITD understands how important continued end-to-end access across the bridge is to the local community, and the department is making every effort to maintain that access in the least restrictive way possible,” ITD spokesperson Heather McDaniel told the Reader. “However, when safety devices are repeatedly vandalized or removed, it becomes significantly more difficult to safely maintain partial access for the public and forces us to consider more of an ‘all-or-nothing’ approach to ongoing access until the full evaluation of the bridge is complete and repairs are made, which could ultimately be months.”

Since setting up barrels, cones and caution tape to keep members of the public away from the affected areas of the bridge on May 7, crews have dealt with repeated instances of vandalism or removal — including on May 13, when the control areas had to be completely reestablished three times.

“In one instance, a member of the public openly told an ITD crew member that groups would continue removing the barriers if ITD kept putting them back up, which you can imagine was both alarming and frustrating,” McDaniel said.

Repair work on the pedestrian bridge poses unique challenges. Built in 1956 and converted to pedestrian and bicycle use in 1981, the structure cannot bear the heavy weight of vehicles normally used for bridge repair — nor more tamper-resistant access control measures like concrete barriers or sturdier fencing. That leaves ITD reliant on lighter traffic devices like barrels, cones and caution tape — and public cooperation.

“These restricted areas were not put in place arbitrarily. They exist to keep people away from locations on the bridge where access creates a legitimate safety concern, both for the public and for the integrity of the structure, while further evaluations and repair planning continue,” McDaniel said. 

“[T]hese restrictions are inconvenient, which is exactly why we’ve worked so hard to avoid a full closure. It’s disappointing that the actions of a small number of individuals could ultimately jeopardize access for everyone else who uses the bridge responsibly,” she added.

Meanwhile, ITD is now working with local and state law enforcement for additional patrols on the bridge to discourage vandalism or other tampering with control devices.

Despite the access restrictions, the full span of the pedestrian bridge remains open, including to permitted special events. ITD is continuing to accept and evaluate permit applications and will work with organizers to balance safety, protection of the bridge structure and compliance with restricted areas.

“As with everything ITD does, safety is always our top priority,” McDaniel said. “If these safety controls cannot remain in place, ITD may be forced to consider additional restrictions — including the possibility of a full closure — until repairs can be completed.”