Twin Falls Alternate Route ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday

TWIN FALLS - The Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Idaho Transportation Department are hosting a community ribbon cutting for phase II of the U.S. 93 Twin Falls Alternate Route beginning at noon on Wednesday (Dec. 8) on the west end of the new Rock Creek Bridge.

The community is invited to join members of the chamber, area elected officials and transportation leaders for a short ceremony and ribbon cutting.

The recent cold and wet weather has slowed construction crews as they near completion, but opening of the roadway is near enough to commemorate the accomplishment.

"The construction of this new roadway has created jobs and stimulated our local economy," Chamber of Commerce President Shawn Barigar said. "Now that it's complete, it will continue to support our local businesses as they move goods to market or bring goods here for sale. And it will provide safe traveling for those of us who live here and visitors to the Twin Falls area."

The $26.6 million, 5.5-mile Alternate Route connects the U.S. 93/U.S. 30 junction to north Twin Falls. A project highlight is the new bridge over Rock Creek Canyon. The former dirt fill and culvert are being removed as part of the project and a restoration of Rock Creek under the bridge is being done.

Through construction savings on the Alternate Route and other regional projects, the construction was expanded to include the full four-lane configuration and a flyover structure for east-bound traffic from the Filer/Buhl area.

"We're as excited as everyone to see this roadway completed," ITD District Engineer Devin Rigby said. "It's been a long time since this roadway was proposed and developed, and to finally see its completion is a milestone for our area."

Roadway opening and the conclusion of construction is expected to take place within a few weeks as winter weather has slowed completion of many necessary details. W.W. Clyde Inc. of Springville, Utah, is the contractor for the project. The first stage of the Twin Falls Alternate Route, from Blue Lakes Boulevard to Grandview Drive, was completed in 2006.

Attendees of the event are asked to take U.S. 93/30 west from Twin Falls to 2600 East Road, north to the new roadway and east to the Rock Creek Bridge (about two miles west from St. Luke's Magic Valley, two miles north, and east to the bridge).