Idaho

Transportation Department

6/22/2012

Contact:
Reed Hollinshead
Public Information Specialist
(208) 334-8881

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southwest Idaho highway report for June 22-29

BOISE - The following projects in southwest Idaho are now under way or will begin soon.

ADA COUNTY

BOISE - Idaho 16 Extension

Work is under way for the first phase of the extension of Idaho 16. Crews are working on access roads, temporary fencing and irrigation structures.

Crews will connect State Street to Chinden Boulevard, including a new bridge over the Boise River.

Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on this $19.4 million project.

ADA COUNTY

BOISE – Connector resurfacing

A preventative maintenance project is scheduled for this summer on the Connector (I-184) in Boise. A pre-construction conference is planned for July 11.

For about five miles, from the Flying Wye to 13th Street, crews will re-seal joints and grind off the concrete surface to increase skid resistance. The project will finish in August.

Crews will adhere to a 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. schedule, working overnight in order to minimize traffic interference. Work will not be allowed on the nights of Boise State University home football games.

A temporary closure of the ramps will be necessary for the contractor to properly grind and re-seal in those areas.

Weekend work is not expected but is not prohibited if necessary.

At least one lane will be maintained during the work, with the speed limit reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone. 

Penhall Corporation, of Anaheim, Calif., is the contractor on this $919, 000 project.

ADA COUNTY

MERIDIAN - Eagle Road resurfacing and medians

Work started June 10 on this project, which will resurface Idaho 55 from Fairview Avenue in Meridian to State Street in Eagle, and install raised medians from Franklin to Oakhampton Drive, one-half mile north of Chinden Boulevard.

Crews will be grinding off the pavement surface in a one-half-mile segment between Fairview Avenue and River Valley Street (where the new traffic light was installed in late April). Crews will also prepare to install raised medians between Franklin Road and River Valley Street, an area of 1.5 miles.

The work will take place overnight between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Access to businesses and residences will be kept open except for brief closures when crews are paving right at those approaches or driveways.

Crews continue to work between Franklin Road and Fairview Avenue. The work includes excavating the median and adding gravel to that median area. Crews anticipate placing concrete in the median beginning next week, starting on Sunday night (June 24).

Idaho Sand & Gravel Co., of Nampa, is the contractor on this $4.7 million project.

ADA, ELMORE COUNTY

Repair of seven bridge decks in Ada and Elmore counties

The bridge decks on seven bridges from Boise through Mountain Home and to the east will be repaired and resurfaced in a six-month project that began in early May.

U.S. 20 was recently paved at Mountain Home. Some operations are completing and moving to new locations throughout the next week. Crews are also switching traffic on I-84 from the westbound structure to the eastbound structure, and width restrictions have likewise changed, with eastbound set at 16 feet and westbound at 14 feet.

Currently all lane closures on I-84 for work activity will be during daylight hours only.

The bridges, their ages and the work is detailed below:

•  The east- and westbound U.S. 20 Interchange at Exit 95 (1971) – This work involves removing and replacing the deck concrete, replacing expansion joints, and injecting filler in cracks in the abutments and wing walls.

• The East Mountain Home/Oregon Trail Interchange at milepost 99 (1972) - This work involves removing and replacing concrete, replacing expansion joints, and injecting filler in cracks in the piers and wing walls.

• The Eisenman Interchange bridge at Exit 60 (1997) – The bridge deck will receive an epoxy overlay (deck seal).

• The Mayfield Interchange bridge east of Boise at Exit 71 (1960) – This work involves removing and replacing the deck concrete, replacing bearing pads on the piers and replacing the expansion joints.

• The Canyon Creek underpass in Mountain Home at milepost 92 (1971) – This work involves removing and replacing the deck concrete and replacing expansion joints.

•  The 18th Street underpass in Mountain Home at milepost 94 (1971) – This work involves removing and replacing the deck concrete, replacing expansion joints, and injecting filler in the cracks in pier walls.

•  The Hammett Interchange bridge at milepost 112 (1973) – This work involves removing and replacing concrete, replacing expansion joints, and injecting filler in cracks in the piers and wing walls.

Several of the structures, along the I-84 corridor, have been completed and work shifted to a couple of others.

Completed:        

- MP 59 Eisenman
- MP 99 Oregon Trail / Bennett Mtn Road
- MP 94 18th St Overpass
- MP 95 U.S. 20 / American Legion Blvd. repaving
 
The westbound structure at the Exit 95 Interchange has work continuing, with eastbound traffic reduced to a single lane and westbound reduced to a single lane detoured to the eastbound side. Crews anticipate completion and restoring I-84 traffic to their normal lanes by Friday morning (6-29-12).
 
New work has begun on the MP 92 Canyon Creek Overpass at Exit 92 and the West Hammett Interchange at milepost 112

The work on these structures will be similar to previous work, as crossing traffic will be reduced to a single lane under the control of temporary traffic lights, with ½ of the deck being rehabbed at a time.

During deck removal the I-84 traffic will be reduced to a single lane long enough for the equipment to work from one end of the structure to the other with no restrictions.
 
Approximately the fourth week of July, work on all of the structure mentioned will be completed and crews will be diverted to the Exit 71 Mayfield /Orchard Interchange. The projected work on this will be more extensive and will require some nighttime closing of the structure itself.

Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the apparent low bidder on the $1.72 million repairs.

BOISE COUNTY

BANKS – Resurfacing

Preliminary work is under way to realign a half-mile section of Idaho 55 further toward the river in preparation for a 10.5-mile resurfacing north of Banks.

On Monday (June 25) crews will sawcut, remove and relocate concrete guardrail. The following evening, work will begin at 7 p.m. on wedge milling for the resurfacing project.

The initial work on the spot realignment, about four miles north of Banks (near milepost 82.5), will be done during daytime hours. It is a section of roadway frequently impacted by mud and rockslides.

Once the bigger overlay project begins a few weeks later, most of the paving will be overnight from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., with no work on the weekends (except Sunday nights). The project will extend from Banks north to the Boise National Forest boundary near milepost 91.

CANYON COUNTY

U.S. 95 Parma-Wilder resurfacing

A stretch of U.S. 95 from the south city limits of Wilder to the south city limits of Parma, and from the north side of Parma to the junction with Interstate 84 will be resurfaced in a project now under way.

In all, about 23 miles of the route will be resurfaced and repaired in areas during the three-month project. It will begin with the segment listed first, below:

• 8.2 miles of U.S. 95, from Wilder south city limits to Parma south city limits 

Paving is complete. Work continues to install the joints in the new pavement over the Boise River Bridge. Guardrail insulation and approach paving is in progress. Width restrictions will vary from day to day.           

This will be followed by a section of work expected to be constructed starting in mid-July 2012, and finishing in mid-August.

• 13.2 miles of U.S. 95, from Parma north city limits to Jct. I-84
• 1.6 miles of U.S. 20/26, from Snake River Bridge to Jct. U.S. 95

In two-lane sections, at least one lane will remain open at all times. In three- or four-lane segments, at least two lanes will remain open.

Work on nights or weekends is not expected, but is not prohibited if needed.

Idaho Sand & Gravel Co., of Nampa, is the contractor on this $5.7 million project.

ELMORE COUNTY

I-84 repair Mountain Home to Hammett

A 25-mile pavement maintenance and repair project on Interstate 84 from Mountain Home east to Hammett is now under way. The project is expected to finish by the July Fourth holiday.

Crews are working a Monday-Friday schedule unless Saturday work is needed to stay on schedule.??The project, on both sides of the highway, involves the replacement of several joint seals, extensive crack sealing and the replacement of deteriorated concrete slabs. It also involves the application of sealant to highway shoulders to protect the surface against weather and water damage and prevent additional cracking.

Typically one lane will be closed in the immediate project area, which will be limited to about a half-mile at a time. In some areas of slab replacement, lanes will remain closed longer. The lane closures will vary in length based on the contractor’s progress.

The contractor will not be working through the weekend, except to remove a westbound lane closure at milepost 97 on Saturday (June 23), and removal of lane closures at milepost 103 eastbound and 101 westbound on Sunday (June 24) afternoon.

All slab replacements have been completed and there should be no need for any more overnight lane closures.

Remaining work will be conducted during daylight hours and lane restrictions will be minimal until completion of the work.

During daylight hours when workers are present and lane closures are in effect, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph.  During other construction times, the speed limit will be 65 mph. The posted speed will return to 75 mph when work is not being conducted (nights and weekends).

A-Core of Idaho, of Boise, is the contractor on the $2.54 million project.

GEM COUNTY

EMMETT - Idaho 16, SH 44 to Substation Road

A road, bridge and guardrail-repair project for a 12.5–mile stretch of Idaho 16 from just north of its junction with Idaho 44 to Emmett’s Substation Road is under way. The project is expected to finish in late July.

Crews will work an overnight, 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. schedule. The contractor plans to work Monday through Thursday nights on paving, with some non-paving work occurring during the day (8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.) as necessary.

The first stretch of nearly four miles of paving is completed, and work began Tuesday (June 19) on the second four-mile segment. Paving will continue in the evenings, with guardrail replacement and delineator installation during the day next week. The anticipated completion of Phase Two is June 29.

Traffic will follow pilot cars through the work zone with expected delays of up to 15 minutes. As work is completed, the contractor will reduce the overall length of the work zone behind them.

Aside from morning and evening rush-hour commutes, traffic will be limited to one lane, with a speed-limit reduction. The speed limit will be reduced by 10 mph in the work-zone segment.

The section of road was built in 1959 and 1966. An overlay was performed in 1996 on the first nine miles, followed by a CRABS (Cement Recycled Asphalt Base Stabilization) resurfacing project in 1998 on the northern end.

When crews transition to repair work on the Black Canyon Irrigation Canal bridge, a lane closure will be required for 13 calendar days, with a temporary signal used to guide traffic.

Work on the bridge, located at approximately milepost 12, will include waterproofing, sealing and replacing joints, and removing and replacing portions of the concrete deck. Approaches to the bridge and transitions to surrounding roads will be adjusted to match the new grade of the road. Crews also are replacing 8,500 feet of substandard guardrail throughout the project.

Central Paving Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on this $2.5 million project.

PAYETTE COUNTY

FRUITLAND – U.S. 95/I-84 Exit 3 Overpass repair

Work is under way to resurface and repair the half-century-old U.S. 95 interchange overpass spanning I-84 at Exit 3 near Fruitland. The project is expected to finish in June.

The bridge deck and foundation for this bridge are considered to be in fair condition, with the superstructure in good condition.

The concrete deck will be overlayed and pier caps and columns patched in this project to extend the life of the bridge, built in 1960. The bridge railing will also be replaced.

Asphalt paving work will be performed to tie the bridge approaches into the road on each end of the bridge.

Crews have overlayed the deck for the second lane, and high-pressure hydro-blasting of the third lane was completed this week. Crews continue concrete removal and removal of expansion joints through next week. Guardrail and illumination work are in progress.

Cannon Builders Inc., of Blackfoot, is the contractor for this $763,000 project.

PAYETTE COUNTY

PAYETTE – U.S. 95, Payette River Bridge replacement

The project to improve the U.S. 95 bridge over the Payette River south of Payette is under way. It is expected to finish in mid-September 2012.

Crews are replacing the existing northbound truss bridge (built in 1927) located on U.S. 95 between Fruitland and Payette.

The new bridge will be two feet higher off the water. It will have no overhead bracing or struts, as the current one does, and will be 84 feet in width, eliminating current safety concerns regarding both width and height restrictions.

The new bridge will be constructed next to, and will attach to, the existing southbound bridge. The project also includes minor roadway realignment to tie into the new bridge location.

U.S. 95 is the main route connecting northern and southern Idaho. About 18,000 vehicles use this portion of the highway daily. By 2026, the volume is expected to be more than 25,000.

The last span of old bridge deck has been removed, and the replacement of bearing pads is complete. Two new sections of deck were placed this week. Crews are currently stripping forms under the deck. New concrete bridge deck and closure pours are scheduled for next week. Roadwork north and south of the bridge in the southbound lanes continues.

JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.

VALLEY COUNTY

CASCADE – Bridge and Roadwork

A replacement of the North Fork Payette River Bridge in downtown Cascade and two miles of pavement resurfacing on Idaho 55 in town will begin in mid-July. The roadwork is expected to finish in late August, while the bridge work will extend into summer 2013.

"There may be significant impacts to drivers, both those in town and those just passing through," said Jayme Coonce, ITD project manager. "We'll make every effort to keep delays and inconveniences at a minimum but with work of this magnitude, some level of interruption is unavoidable."

ROADWORK:

The existing roadway is in very poor condition, with cracking and potholing. The resurfacing will repair these deficiencies and extend the life of the highway section.

The project extends from milepost 114-116 (from south of the bridge to the north end). A CRABS (Cement Recycled Asphalt Base Stabilization) resurfacing method will be used on the section north and south. CRABS involves grinding the existing roadway down to the gravel base, then adding cement to the old asphalt. This process extends the life of the roadway. A complete reconstruction will be done on the section through the town's center.

Originally, the section of gravel road was paved over in 1937. It was reconstructed in 1955, followed by an overlay in 1975. Seal coats were placed in 1989 and 1993. Minor widening was done in 1996.

Pedestrian ramps also will be upgraded to meet ADA standards in this project. The city of Cascade also will replace some pipes in this project.

In town, the three through lanes will be reduced to one during the roadwork portion of this project. Flaggers will be used to guide traffic, and speed limits could be reduced in the work zone. While crews are rebuilding intersections, there will be detours on the local roads and side streets in place leading to an open intersection. The open intersection will change as the project progresses. Traffic control will be coordinated with emergency services.

No parking will be allowed on Idaho 55 within the active work zone, but alternate parking will be available on the side streets.

Reasonable access to businesses will be maintained during business working hours.

No work is expected on nights or weekends, but is not prohibited if needed. From noon Friday to 7 a.m. Monday, one lane of traffic in each direction will be kept open.

In addition, no work will take place north of Patterson Street until after July 28 to accommodate the Four Summit Bike Challenge, and no work will interfere with traffic flow during the Valley County Fair (Aug. 6-11).

C & A Paving, of Boise, is the contractor on this $1.86 million project.

BRIDGE WORK:

Starting at about the same time in mid-July, a one-year project will begin that will eventually replace the old (built in 1933), narrow, width-restricted bridge with one more than twice as wide.

The existing bridge is 24 feet wide, and will be replaced with a 60-foot wide, 393-foot long, three-span bridge. The new bridge will have two 12-foot lanes, two 11-foot shoulders and a 14-foot median.

In addition, a paved extension will be constructed to the dirt shared-use path under the bridge on the north side of the river that provides access from both sides of the bridge to the new riverside park.

In the first stage, two-thirds of the new bridge will be built to the west of the existing structure. Traffic will be maintained on the existing bridge through this first stage of bridge work, and then will be routed to the new section of bridge for the remaining work as the old bridge is demolished. There will be traffic interruptions while the new roadway section leading to the new bridge is built.

Flaggers will be used if lane restrictions are required. From Monday through Thursday, work that limits drivers to one lane in each direction is only allowed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Two lanes will be maintained between noon Friday and noon Monday. A river safety and navigation plan will be in place for recreationists that use this section of the river.