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New highway extension emerging from landscape

Construction continues to transform land south of Emmett into the first part of a corridor that eventually will link the community with Interstate 84 by way of Idaho 16. The initial two-year project includes construction of a new 1,700-foot bridge crossing the Boise River.

Two photos, from vastly different perspectives, show progress on a 2.5-mile segment from State Street to Chinden Boulevard west of Boise. One offers a ground view looking north of the Phyllis Canal and South State area. Shown in the foreground, crews place granular borrow. Cranes are visible among the trees in the background where pile driving continues for the new bridge.

Another perspective, from an airplane vantage point (bottom photo), was provided by Rep. Joe Palmer (R-Meridian), chairman of the Transportation and Defense Committee.

The project began in May and is expected to be completed in August 2014.

Published 11-2-2012