Idaho 78 resurfacing project to begin from junction with Idaho 45 to Murphy August 10

OWYHEE COUNTY - An Idaho Transportation Department project to resurface the nine-mile stretch of Idaho 78 between its junction with Idaho 45 and Murphy is expected to begin Aug. 10. The project is expected to be complete in mid-September.

The roadway surface will be overlayed from just before milepost 20 to milepost 29 with three inches of new asphalt. A SALSA (Stress-Absorbing Layer of Straight Asphalt) will be applied between the original surface and the overlay, creating a stronger and more durable surface.

Traffic on this two-lane rural highway will be reduced to one lane and pilot cars will guide motorists through the work zone. The speed limit also will be reduced to 45 mph.

Motorists can expect intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes during this work. Crews will work 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with no weekend work anticipated.

This road was overlayed and rehabilitated using the Cement Recycled Asphalt Base Stabilization (CRABS) method about 10 years ago. This upcoming project will extend the life of the roadway and create a smoother ride for motorists for the next decade.

This route is primarily used by local traffic, as well as agricultural interests and trucks traveling to the hazardous waste facility near Grandview.

Central Paving Co. Inc. of Boise is the contractor on this $1.8 million project.