11/29/2007
Mollie McCarty
ITD Chief External Affairs Officer
208-334-8804
mollie.mccarty@itd.idaho.gov
Ceremony today will mark opening of I-84 Locust Grove Overpass
BOISE - The I-84 Locust Grove Overpass will open four months ahead of schedule today (Thursday), after a 2 p.m. dedication ceremony, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced.
Idaho Transportation Board member Monte McClure will be joined by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John McGee, Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd and Ada County Highway District Chairman John Franden, as they officially open the overpass by crossing it in a Meridian fire truck. They will be joined in a parade of local emergency responders, including a special appearance by Santa Claus. The public ceremony will be held on top of the overpass, near the intersection of Locust Grove and Overland roads in Meridian.
"We have been committed to this project for many years and are thrilled to celebrate its completion," said Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd. "This is a huge step forward in addressing our residents' high expectations. Not only will this new connection ease traffic on existing roadways, it will improve emergency response times."
Currently, the nearest interstate crossings are at Eagle or Meridian roads. An estimated 20,000 vehicles are expected to use the new Locust Grove Overpass each day when it opens.
"Projects like this one are crucial to address the explosive growth we are experiencing in the Treasure Valley, and to ensure a vital economy for the future of our communities," said Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell. "Our challenge is to meet other growing transportation needs in the face of limited resources and skyrocketing inflation costs," the Senate Transportation Committee chairman said.
The $5.8 million project was sponsored by ACHD and administered by ITD using federal funds. ACHD began the first phase which consisted of widening Locust Grove from Fairview to Franklin. ITD completed the overpass as the second phase of the overall vision.
The project will be completed nearly four months ahead of schedule; it was originally scheduled to be complete in spring 2008. The contractor is Concrete Placing Company of Boise.
(DIRECTIONS TO EVENT: From Interstate 84, take the Eagle Road exit south; then west on Overland Road and proceed to Locust Grove. Turn north onto the Locust Grove Overpass. Parking is available at the site.)