Final project in I-84 Nampa widening begins after holiday

NAMPA - The final project in the widening of I-84 to three lanes from Nampa's Franklin Boulevard to Garrity Boulevard starts next week.

Beginning Monday night (July 5), lanes on I-84 will be reduced in each direction between the Franklin Road Interchange and 11th Avenue. The lane reduction will continue through the end of the week and will allow crews to perform pipe work in the median and prepare for widening activities.

The project also includes the replacement of the Union Pacific Railroad and Phyllis Canal bridges.

Bridge projects at Garrity and at 11th are already under way to accommodate the additional lanes on I-84.

When these improvements are complete, I-84 between the Franklin and Garrity interchanges will be widened to three lanes in each direction, with an additional auxiliary lane for eastbound traffic. The auxiliary lane will allow motorists to enter I-84 at Franklin, remain in the lane farthest right, and exit at Garrity - never having to merge with interstate traffic.

Construction is expected to be complete by early summer 2012. Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the contractor on this $22.2 million project.

The widening project is one of several interstate improvement projects occurring in an 18-mile stretch of I-84, funded by the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses proceeds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to accelerate highway improvements throughout Idaho.