BOISE - Whether you're behind the wheel of a car or truck, or peddling on two wheels, the ride from Diversion Dam to Sandy Point on Idaho 21 will soon be a whole lot smoother as the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) repairs and repaves the roadway and bike path along the scenic two-mile stretch.
Crews will begin putting up signs next week, with construction starting on
July 20. The project involves a 1.8-inch overlay utilizing the SALSA method of
resurfacing - Stress Absorbing Layer of Straight Asphalt, which helps
to minimize roadway surface cracking. Allow for extra time when driving through the area.
ITD has a cooperative agreement with Ada County to overlay a portion of the bike path running parallel with the northbound lane of Idaho 21 in this area. The popular path will be closed for two weeks, from
July 20 to August 4, although every effort will be made to reopen the path as soon as possible.
To see a map of the area in question click here:
http://itd.idaho.gov/images/Diversion_Dam_to_San.jpg
This key path section has not been repaved since originally constructed in the 1980s. Time and weather have deteriorated the paving surface over those 20+ years, so users must navigate frequent cracks and bumps in the riding surface. State and County governments doing this work together in one contract will save significant amounts of taxpayer money.
As this work wraps up in late July/early August, a resurfacing project at the Idaho 21 exit off I-84 (Exit 57) is slated to begin, extending to Federal Way.
Staker & Parson Companies dba Idaho Sand & Gravel Co. of Nampa is the contractor on the $1.1 million project.
