Traffic advisory: Pole Line Road closure to begin next week as Twin Falls Alternate Route gets under way

TWIN FALLS - The start of major work on the Twin Falls Alternate Route, Stage 2 stimulus project is expected to begin Monday (Sept. 28) with the closure of Pole Line Road at Rock Creek, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.

The contractor, W.W. Clyde Inc. of Springville, Utah, will begin with asphalt removal followed by excavation of the canyon dirt-fill section. The fill section is being removed to build a new steel-girder bridge as part of the U.S. 93 Alternate Route to connect north Twin Falls with the U.S. 93/U.S. 30 junction.

All traffic will be required to detour on U.S. 93 through Twin Falls (Blue Lakes Boulevard and Addison Avenue).

Crews will begin work throughout the 5.5-mile construction zone at several points over the coming weeks, including at the railroad crossing immediately north of the U.S. 93/U.S. 30 junction and at the several irrigation crossings. Road closures and detours will be clearly signed.

The highway construction project, which uses federal stimulus funds, will construct a bypass option for through and commercial traffic traveling past Twin Falls. The reconstructed roadway will have turn lanes and a new intersection at the corner of 4100 North (Poleline Road) and 2400 East. The contractor will construct the base for the future expansion to four lanes when needed.

Construction should be complete by mid-2011. The first stage of the Twin Falls Alternate Route from Blue Lakes Boulevard to Grandview Drive was completed in 2006.

An estimated 500 jobs will be created or sustained by the $26.6 million, 18-month project.

ITD and the Idaho State Police caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.