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I-84 interchanges will continue Treasure Valley transformation

Three interchanges on Interstate 84 – at Meridian Road, Broadway Avenue and Gowen Road – will be replaced starting early next year, and a third lane will be added between Broadway and Gowen. The ITD projects will improve safety, enhance commerce and reduce congestion.

“Rebuilding these interchanges will add capacity and functionality to the highway system for many years into the future,” said Amy Schroeder, ITD GARVEE Program manager, “The GARVEE Program has made significant improvements to highways around the state, and now has an opportunity to update even more of the department’s aging infrastructure with the savings in the program.”

ITD will replace the Broadway and Meridian interchanges with a Single-Point Urban Interchange (SPUI). The SPUI design uses one signal in the middle of the interchange to improve traffic flow and movement of vehicles. A new diamond interchange will replace the current interchange at Gowen.

Longer, wider ramps will be built at all three interchanges to allow traffic more room to merge. Curb, gutter, sidewalk and bike lanes also will be added to safely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.

Between 2006 and 2011, the Idaho Legislature authorized $857 million in Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to fund critical transportation improvements statewide. In early 2012, ITD identified $80 million in program savings from efficient program management and competitive construction bids.

The Idaho Transportation Board decided to invest the savings in additional roadway improvements. The three interchange replacements and widening I-84 between Broadway and Gowen were chosen through statewide evaluations based on project readiness, pavement and structure conditions, congestion and safety.

Over the next month, ITD will meet with property owners and businesses near the interchanges to provide information about the design, gather input and answer questions. Public meetings this summer will present the design plans for the new interchanges.

This year, ITD will finalize the designs for each project, identify and purchase land, and gather public input on the projects. Construction is expected to begin in early 2014 and be complete by fall 2015. For more information about this project click here.