Little Goose Creek Bridge

Ardurra delivered environmental and engineering services for the Little Goose Creek Project, replacing an aging box culvert with a 3-sided stiffleg culvert at a new alignment near New Meadows while realigning State Highway 55 to accommodate the improved crossing. The strategic project addresses aging infrastructure while protecting critical habitat for federally listed Snake River spring-summer chinook salmon and bull trout.

The environmentally sensitive project required extensive multi-agency coordination with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service due to the presence of critical habitat for endangered species. Ardurra successfully negotiated an earlier in-water construction start date, enabling single-season construction completion while minimizing environmental impacts.

Key Project Services:

• Designed a 3-sided stiffleg culvert replacement with creek re-routing and State Highway 55 realignment, accommodating improved crossing infrastructure

• Prepared Programmatic Biological Assessment addressing critical habitat for Snake River chinook salmon and bull trout protection requirements

• Coordinated extensive multi-agency consultation with IDFG, USFWS, and NMFS, securing an earlier construction start date for single-season completion

• Completed NEPA Categorical Exclusion, ensuring federal environmental policy compliance with comprehensive background studies for ESA-listed species

• Performed Aquatic Resources Delineation, receiving Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• Prepared Joint Application for Permits currently under review by USACE and Idaho Department of Water Resources

• Conducted Forest/State sensitive species studies, ensuring comprehensive environmental protection throughout project implementation

The environmental coordination demonstrates expertise in complex regulatory compliance while protecting critical aquatic habitat. Strategic agency coordination and comprehensive permitting enable infrastructure improvements while maintaining environmental stewardship commitments essential for species protection and regulatory approval.