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ITD and Canyon County partner to build new signal in Caldwell

To boost safety on Idaho 55 (Karcher Road) in Caldwell, the Idaho Transportation Department and Canyon County are partnering to install a temporary signal at Karcher Road and Lake Avenue.

Both groups met earlier this year to review future intersection improvement projects programmed for 2016. During those discussions, county officials asked if there were any opportunities to advance the project or provide some relief in the interim.

"We thought this was a great suggestion and our traffic section began working with the county to build this signal at Lake Avenue," said ITD Engineering Manager Amy Schroeder.

The interim signal is designed to increase safety and ease congestion a year ahead of scheduled ITD construction. As part of the partnership that allows for this interim signal to be constructed, ITD prepared design and bid documents, and is also providing light fixtures, signal timing plans, signs, pavement striping and inspection services.

Canyon County provided funding and secured bids for construction and selected Quality Electric to complete the $130,000 project. To keep construction costs as low as possible, the project will use salvaged parts to the extent available. When the signal is no longer needed, all reusable materials will be salvaged for use in maintainance or other signal installations.

Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-February and take a couple weeks. Advanced signing will be in place to alert drivers that a new signal is in operation

In 2016, ITD will complete improvements at Lake Avenue and two additional intersections along the heavily traveled Idaho 55 corridor, west of Nampa, including Karcher and Midway Road, and Karcher and Indiana Avenue. Upgrades at these three intersections include the addition of signal lights, road widening with right- and left-hand turn lanes and an acceleration lane.

"We'd like to thank ITD for their great partnership as we've worked to make this project a reality," said Commissioner Craig Hanson. "They were instrumental in bringing all parties together and getting this done in a timely fashion."