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Highway projects power economic engine

Highway construction projects remain one of the state’s most powerful economic engines in the midst of recovery. A report this week by the Idaho Business Review indicates how strong that engine is and the role ITD plays in fueling it.

Eight ITD projects are listed in the publication’s recent Top Projects of 2011. Projects were divided into three categories – government, private and office/retail.

Following are ITD projects that made the Business Review’s list, with a brief description of the work. The costs listed are for construction only and do not include right-of-way acquisition or engineering:

Government Division

1. I-84, Franklin to 11th, Canyon County
Description: Crews reconstructed approximately two miles of four interstate lanes and constructed an additional three-lane segments. This includes replacement of two bridges over a canal and two bridges over railroad tracks, as well as replacement of all drainage structures/features and irrigation crossings. Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, is the prime contractor on this ongoing $22.2 million project.

4. U.S. 26, Idaho Falls to Ririe
Description: The project consisted of construction of a four-lane highway with turn bays at county road intersections on U.S. 26 in a 9.4-mile stretch. Knife River Corp. – Northwest, of Boise, was the prime contractor. $13.3 million.

6. I-84, Burley to Declo & Heyburn Overpass, Minidoka County
Description: Several resurfacing methods were used on eight miles of I-84 - cold mill, CRABS (Cement Recycled Asphalt Base Stabilization) and asphalt pavement overlay, including crossovers. Crews also repaired deficient sections of the bridge at the Heyburn Overpass, both east-and westbound. Knife River Corp. – Northwest, of Boise, was the prime contractor. $12.8 million.

11. I-15, 1-86, U.S. 91, Chubbuck IC to Pocatello Creek IC, Phase 2
Description: The project involved widening Interstate 86, I-15 and U.S. 91/Yellowstone Ave, including grading, base, pavement, bridge widening, guardrail, drainage, retaining wall, curb & gutter, sidewalk, illumination, traffic signal, communication and landscaping. Knife River Corp. – Northwest, of Boise, was the contractor. $8 million.

24. 1-84, 11th Avenue Bridge, Canyon County
Description: McAlvain Construction, of Boise, was the general contractor for the new $4.1 million 11th Avenue two-lane, two-way bridge over I-84. The new bridge replaces the old 11th Avenue Bridge in Nampa. Reconstruction of the bridge was required to allow the addition of one lane in each direction on I-84 between the Franklin and Garrity boulevards. Construction was completed 29 days before the contractual deadline.

26. U.S. 30, McCammon to 12th Street
Description: Crews reconstructed and widened U.S. 30 from two lanes to four lanes. The project included earthwork, crushed aggregate, granular barrow, super pave plantmix, chip seal, traffic control and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPP) measures. LaGrand Johnson Construction of Logan, Utah, is the contractor. $4 million.

30. I-84B, North Overland, Burley
Description: Crews reconstructed North Overland Avenue from 2nd Avenue to the I-84 ramps; including sidewalks, curb and gutter, storm drains, sanitary sewer, medians, widening, three traffic signals and illumination. Knife River Corp. – Northwest, of Boise, was the contractor. $3.1 million.

32. Idaho 21, Mores Creek Bridge, Ada County
Description: The project included rehabilitation of pier footing (including pressure armoring and rock grouting), installing seismic restrainers and bearing cap extension, painting of the steel truss superstructure, expansion-joint repairs, bridge-railing replacement, bridge-deck rehab and guardrail installation. RSCI, of Meridian, is the contractor. $2.7 million.