Orofino company lands first stimulus project bid

BOISE - Bids were opened last week on the first highway construction project in Idaho that will use federal stimulus funding, The Idaho Transportation Department announced.

Debco Construction of Orofino is the apparent low bidder on the U.S. 95, Moscow Mountain Passing Lane project north of Moscow in Latah County. Debco bid $2.7 million on the project.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-July and should be complete late this fall. The contract allows 70 working days.

"The transportation department is delivering on my promise to put taxpayer dollars to work as soon as possible and to create good jobs for Idaho families," said Gov. C.L. Butch Otter.

The Moscow Mountain project is calculated to generate or preserve more than 50 jobs.

"We are pleased to be able to advance this project so quickly and prepare it for construction this summer," said Idaho Transportation Department Director Pamela Lowe. "It addresses a much needed safety concern for U.S. 95 and is the first of eight stimulus projects we will begin this construction season."

U.S. 95 is the primary north-south route through Idaho and carries a diverse mix of traffic, including long-haul commercial trucks, wood-chip trucks, agricultural equipment, recreational vehicles and passenger vehicles. The two-lane highway winds through the rolling Palouse hills and includes moderate grades.

The limited number of passing opportunities constitutes a challenge for the motorists who are frequently slowed by commercial and agricultural traffic. An additional passing lane on Moscow Mountain will significantly improve safety.

The U.S. 95, Moscow Mountain Passing Lane project includes construction of a northbound passing lane, updated guardrail and guardrail ends and retaining walls.

Rumble strips also will be added on both shoulders of U.S. 95 at about milepost 350.

Idaho's other highway projects that qualify for about $150 million in federal ARRA funds include:

* U.S. 2, Dover Bridge replacement and approaches, $36.8 million (bid opening: June 9)
* U.S. 95, Top of White Bird Grade, widening and construction of a chain-up area, $5.2 million (bid opening: June 9)
* Interstate 84, Vista Avenue Interchange, reconstruction/realignment, $43.4 million (bid opening: June 16)
* U.S. 93, Twin Falls Alternate Route, relocation, $40.3 million (bid to be advertised June 15)
* I-86, Chubbuck Interchange to Pocatello Creek Interchange, major widening, $11.2 million (bid opening: June 23)
* U.S. 20, Henrys Lake Flat passing lanes, widening, $3.5 million (bid opening: June 9)
* Idaho 48, Rigby High School to Yellowstone Highway, major widening, $5.4 million (bid opening: June 23)

Once bids are awarded for construction, progress can be followed at http://itd.idaho.gov/accountability/stimulus_projects.htm