TWIN FALLS - Savings on the U.S. 93 Twin Falls Alternate Route will mean the entire roadway will be completed during the current project instead of a future construction project to build the full four lanes, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Construction of two lanes was initially planned to reduce project costs, with plans to complete the final two lanes of the alternate route likely years away. Full construction of the 5.5-mile project has been made possible through project savings in roadway materials.
"We're pleased that we get to complete this project now," District Engineer Devin Rigby said. "The fact that we don't have to commit any additional funds to construct the full build-out of the alternate route is a huge bonus to the people of Idaho."
The highway construction project, which uses federal stimulus funds, will complete a bypass option for commercial and through traffic traveling past Twin Falls. The reconstructed roadway features a new bridge over Rock Creek Canyon and a "flyover" structure for eastbound traffic at the intersection of 4100 North (Poleline Road) and 2400 East.
"By using construction savings from this and other projects, we've been able to add both the flyover structure and the final two lanes on this project," Rigby said. "These improvements will not only create the roadway we anticipated, but it will also increase roadway safety and allow for better traffic flow."
When complete, the $26.6 million U.S. 93 Alternate Route will connect north Twin Falls with the U.S. 93/U.S. 30 junction west of Twin Falls. The $2.7 million flyover is a separate project. Both projects, expected to be complete by early 2011, are under contract with W.W. Clyde Inc. of Springville, Utah.
For more information on the U.S. 93 Twin Falls Alternate Route and a link to live construction photos of the new Rock Creek Bridge project, please visit itd.idaho.gov, then follow the links titled Projects, South-Central Idaho, and U.S. 93 - Twin Falls Alternate Route.