Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Oct. 30-Nov. 6

BOISE - The following projects are part of the GARVEE Transportation Program in southwest Idaho, which uses funds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite highway projects.

BOISE - Interstate 84, Orchard Street Interchange
Work continues on a project to reconstruct the Orchard Street Interchange in Boise.

Traffic will switch to the new eastbound off-ramp when it opens Friday night (Oct. 30).

The speed limit on I-84 is 55 mph and shoulders are restricted in the project area. The speed limit on surrounding roadways (Orchard Street, Wright Street, Victory Road) is 25 mph. ITD advises motorists to be cautious of trucks and equipment.

Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2010.

BOISE - Interstate 84, Vista Avenue Interchange Reconstruction*

Work is under way to rebuild the Vista Avenue Interchange to reduce congestion and accommodate future I-84 lanes.

The speed limit on I-84 is 55 mph. Watch for trucks entering and exiting the construction zone.

Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2010.

* Design for the project was funded by GARVEE, but project construction is funded through the federal stimulus program, created to generate jobs and help boost Idaho's economy while upgrading our foundation for future economic growth.

BOISE - Interstate 84, Cole Road to Broadway Avenue widening

ITD is rebuilding and widening east- and westbound I-84 between the Cole and Broadway interchanges in Boise. When complete, the interstate will have four lanes in each direction.

The speed limit is 55 mph in the project area on I-84.

This project is expected to be complete in summer 2011.

WEST TREASURE VALLEY - Interstate 84, Garrity to Meridian widening

ITD is adding a third east- and westbound lane to I-84 between Nampa and Meridian. The first 2.5 miles of the third lane opened near the Meridian Interchange in August 2009.

The westbound portion of the third lane opened the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 30 as part of a dedication ceremony with Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.

The eastbound portion will open by Sunday, Nov. 1 or Monday, Nov. 2.

One lane will be closed in both directions at night throughout the weekend (Oct. 30-Nov. 1) as crews clear the work zone and complete the project.

The I-84 speed limit is 55 mph during construction.

MERIDIAN - Interstate 84, Ten Mile Interchange construction

Work continues to replace the current Ten Mile Overpass with an interchange with on- and off-ramps. This project includes widening Ten Mile Road and constructing two undercrossings for local roads north and south of I-84.

Crews are driving steel piles into the ground to support the interchange and two undercrossings. Pile driving operations are noisy and are only allowed between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The pile driving work will resume on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the future location of the Ten Mile Interchange near Ten Mile Road and I-84.

The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph on Ten Mile Road between Franklin and Overland roads. Motorists should watch for trucks traveling in the area.

Construction is expected to be complete in summer 2011.

In addition, this GARVEE project will begin in the fall:

NAMPA - Interstate 84, Garrity Bridge/11^th Ave. to Garrity

ITD will replace two bridges in the Garrity Interchange with a single, wider bridge to support additional lanes on the interstate. The project will construct a third east- and westbound lane on I-84 through the Garrity Interchange.
Est. Start: Late Fall 2009

Est. Completion: Winter 2010

Following is an update on non-GARVEE state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.

CANYON COUNTY
CALDWELL - Indian Creek Bridges replacement

Work to improve the structural integrity of two bridges over Indian Creek in Caldwell is in its final stages. The projects to replace bridges at 21st and 11th Avenue started in June and are scheduled for completion in November.

Abutments are in place at 11th Avenue and Arthur and crews will begin setting the steel girders this week.

Vehicles continue to be detoured around the intersection but pedestrian access to local business remains open and signs are in place to direct customers.

The bridge deck on the 21st Avenue structure was completed this week and in the next few days, concrete approaches will be in place. Traffic remains shifted to the new half of the structure while work to finish the deck on the second half of the bridge is completed.

Removal of the existing 21st Avenue bridge and construction of the new concrete bridge is being completed in two phases. During the first phase, the east portion of the bridge was removed and reconstructed, and traffic was routed onto the existing bridge. During the second phase, traffic has been shifted to the completed portion of the new bridge while the other half is reconstructed.

When construction is complete the new bridge will have four lanes (two lanes in each direction) to better serve the well-traveled route between Interstate 84 and The College of Idaho. Two lanes of traffic are being maintained during construction and business access on 21st remains open. Temporary signs are in place to direct customers.

Braun-Jensen of Payette is the contractor on this $2.3 million project. This is a Local Highway Technical Assistance Council project sponsored by the city of Caldwell.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

MIDVALE HILL - rest area improvement project
A project to upgrade the rest area on U.S. 95 at Midvale Hill is nearing completion. The project is expected to be finished by late November.

This project is rehabilitating the existing rest area - built in 1987 - and caretaker facilities, creating additional truck parking, and includes other repairs. The rest room building is being completely reconstructed.

Perimeter fencing, some electrical and mechanical system installation and some roofing remains to be finished. A security system also is being installed.

The rest area will be closed during this project, and signs will be posted in Cambridge and Weiser to announce the closure. No temporary facilities are planned during this work.

WF Construction & Sales LLC of Meridian is the contractor on this $1.4 million project.

WEISER - Snake River Bridge replacement
The Snake River Bridge on the U.S. 95 Spur in Weiser is being replaced with a wider structure. The bridge connects Annex, Ore., to Weiser.

The contractor is setting the rest of the girders, and will work on pouring intermediate diaphragms (to keep the girders in place/stabilize them), and work on decking the bridge in preparation for pouring it. Crews also are removing the work bridge.

The right and left ramps on the Idaho side of the bridge are closed. Traffic must follow the detour to access Old Highway 70. In addition, any traffic 12 feet or wider and/or taller than 14 feet 2 inches will need to detour through Payette.

Both abutments on the Idaho side of the bridge have been finished.

The original bridge was built in 1903, with an additional span added in 1911. Traffic signals were added in 1949. The bridge was replaced in the 1950s - that's the one being replaced in this project. Once completed, the bridge will be 16 feet wider and able to carry greater traffic volumes. The highway on both sides of the bridge also will be reconstructed.

New curb, gutter and sidewalks are being reconstructed on the Idaho side of the bridge.

The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph on the Oregon side of the bridge.

Sletten Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $10 million project. The project is expected to be completed by January.

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.

WEST TREASURE VALLEY - Interstate 84, Garrity to Meridian widening

MERIDIAN - Interstate 84, Ten Mile Interchange construction

NAMPA - Interstate 84, Garrity Bridge/11th Ave. to Garrity

NAMPA - Interstate 84, Garrity Bridge/11^th Ave. to Garrity