1/11/2008
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Jan. 11 - Jan. 18
BOISE - Following is an update on highway construction projects in Southwest Idaho.
ADA COUNTY
Interstate 84 Garrity to Meridian widening
Initial work on the I-84 Garrity to Meridian widening project will begin just west of the Meridian Interchange Monday (Jan. 14). Work will begin by extending a drainage structure that runs underneath I-84 and allows Ten Mile Creek to flow beneath the interstate just west of the Meridian Interchange. Ten Mile Creek is an irrigation drain that belongs to the Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District. The drainage structure must be extended through the median before additional lanes can be built on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. The inside shoulders on east- and westbound I-84 will be closed and the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph from milepost 42 to 46. These traffic changes will continue through April 2008. ITD will have nighttime lane reductions in both directions between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Jan. 16 to Jan. 24. The lane closures will allow ITD to remove old guardrail and place temporary guardrail in the project area. At least one lane will be maintained in each direction during nighttime lane reductions and all lanes of traffic will remain open during the daytime. ITD advises motorists to be aware of heavy equipment moving on and off the interstate while crews are working in the median. Milling work to remove the ruts and bumps on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges is expected to begin in late January or early February. Milling will prepare the road for construction-related traffic changes. The start date for milling will depend on weather. The I-84 Garrity to Meridian project will widen and reconstruct 6.2 miles of interstate between the Garrity Boulevard and Meridian Road interchanges. It begins a series of interstate improvements planned for I-84 between Caldwell and Meridian through the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to design and construct needed improvements in less time than through traditional funding methods. McAlvain Construction, Inc. of Boise is the contractor for the $380,000 Ten Mile Creek work. Central Paving Co. of Boise is the contractor for the $1.1 million milling work.
CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84, Exit 29/Franklin Interchange rebuilding
The Exit 29/Franklin Road Interchange is being rebuilt to improve access to Caldwell from I-84, improve traffic flow and ease congestion. The interchange rebuilding, which started in early December 2006, will enhance several aspects of the interchange. The current two-lane Franklin Overpass will be replaced with a six-lane bridge. The new overpass will have two through lanes in each direction and dual left turn lanes in each direction. The interchange ramps are being lengthened and widened to two lanes at their intersection with Franklin. The eastbound off-ramp is the only remaining ramp yet to be rebuilt. The eastbound on-ramp, the westbound off-ramp and the westbound on-ramp are open to vehicles. There is some minor work remaining to be done on the westbound on-ramp this spring that won't impact traffic or that will be done at night. The project also involves widening Franklin Road from two to five lanes between the overpass and Specht Avenue. The new road will have a curb, gutter, sidewalk, bicycle lanes and shoulder. Aviation Way will be widened at the intersection with Franklin Road. A new traffic signal also will be added. Lanes may be reduced temporarily on Franklin Road and Aviation Way during the widening. Aviation Way will close on the north side of U.S. 20-26 this spring to complete concrete paving work. The paving work will be done at night and with temperature and weather conditions that include a minimum temperature of 40 degrees during the night-time hours. One or both lanes of I-84 may be closed between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. for safety while crews replace the overpass. Traffic will be detoured. A new bridge and three new lanes are now being used after the old overpass was torn down. At the project's completion, all six new overpass lanes will be opened. Concrete Placing Co. is the contractor for the $25 million project. Construction is scheduled to be finished this fall.
PAYETTE COUNTY
Snake River View Rest Area
The Snake River View Rest Area will close later this month for renovations. The rest area, on the eastbound side of Interstate 84 on the Idaho side of the state's border with Oregon, will undergo new landscaping, new fixtures in the men's and women's restrooms, a repaving of the parking lot and sidewalk improvements to increase handicapped-access. A patio area that overlooks the Snake River also will be renovated. Walls and a window will be added to make the patio more comfortable for year-round use. The eastbound off-ramp from Interstate 84 to the rest area will be closed, and signs posted to inform motorists of the closure. The rest area is scheduled to reopen in May. Eastbound motorists on Interstate 84 will be able to use a rest area on the Oregon side of the border, before entering Idaho. King Excavation of Middleton, Idaho, is the contractor for the $995,500 project.
For current driving conditions on Idaho highways, dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov.
ADA COUNTY
Interstate 84 Garrity to Meridian widening
Initial work on the I-84 Garrity to Meridian widening project will begin just west of the Meridian Interchange Monday (Jan. 14). Work will begin by extending a drainage structure that runs underneath I-84 and allows Ten Mile Creek to flow beneath the interstate just west of the Meridian Interchange. Ten Mile Creek is an irrigation drain that belongs to the Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District. The drainage structure must be extended through the median before additional lanes can be built on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. The inside shoulders on east- and westbound I-84 will be closed and the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph from milepost 42 to 46. These traffic changes will continue through April 2008. ITD will have nighttime lane reductions in both directions between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Jan. 16 to Jan. 24. The lane closures will allow ITD to remove old guardrail and place temporary guardrail in the project area. At least one lane will be maintained in each direction during nighttime lane reductions and all lanes of traffic will remain open during the daytime. ITD advises motorists to be aware of heavy equipment moving on and off the interstate while crews are working in the median. Milling work to remove the ruts and bumps on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges is expected to begin in late January or early February. Milling will prepare the road for construction-related traffic changes. The start date for milling will depend on weather. The I-84 Garrity to Meridian project will widen and reconstruct 6.2 miles of interstate between the Garrity Boulevard and Meridian Road interchanges. It begins a series of interstate improvements planned for I-84 between Caldwell and Meridian through the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to design and construct needed improvements in less time than through traditional funding methods. McAlvain Construction, Inc. of Boise is the contractor for the $380,000 Ten Mile Creek work. Central Paving Co. of Boise is the contractor for the $1.1 million milling work.
CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84, Exit 29/Franklin Interchange rebuilding
The Exit 29/Franklin Road Interchange is being rebuilt to improve access to Caldwell from I-84, improve traffic flow and ease congestion. The interchange rebuilding, which started in early December 2006, will enhance several aspects of the interchange. The current two-lane Franklin Overpass will be replaced with a six-lane bridge. The new overpass will have two through lanes in each direction and dual left turn lanes in each direction. The interchange ramps are being lengthened and widened to two lanes at their intersection with Franklin. The eastbound off-ramp is the only remaining ramp yet to be rebuilt. The eastbound on-ramp, the westbound off-ramp and the westbound on-ramp are open to vehicles. There is some minor work remaining to be done on the westbound on-ramp this spring that won't impact traffic or that will be done at night. The project also involves widening Franklin Road from two to five lanes between the overpass and Specht Avenue. The new road will have a curb, gutter, sidewalk, bicycle lanes and shoulder. Aviation Way will be widened at the intersection with Franklin Road. A new traffic signal also will be added. Lanes may be reduced temporarily on Franklin Road and Aviation Way during the widening. Aviation Way will close on the north side of U.S. 20-26 this spring to complete concrete paving work. The paving work will be done at night and with temperature and weather conditions that include a minimum temperature of 40 degrees during the night-time hours. One or both lanes of I-84 may be closed between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. for safety while crews replace the overpass. Traffic will be detoured. A new bridge and three new lanes are now being used after the old overpass was torn down. At the project's completion, all six new overpass lanes will be opened. Concrete Placing Co. is the contractor for the $25 million project. Construction is scheduled to be finished this fall.
PAYETTE COUNTY
Snake River View Rest Area
The Snake River View Rest Area will close later this month for renovations. The rest area, on the eastbound side of Interstate 84 on the Idaho side of the state's border with Oregon, will undergo new landscaping, new fixtures in the men's and women's restrooms, a repaving of the parking lot and sidewalk improvements to increase handicapped-access. A patio area that overlooks the Snake River also will be renovated. Walls and a window will be added to make the patio more comfortable for year-round use. The eastbound off-ramp from Interstate 84 to the rest area will be closed, and signs posted to inform motorists of the closure. The rest area is scheduled to reopen in May. Eastbound motorists on Interstate 84 will be able to use a rest area on the Oregon side of the border, before entering Idaho. King Excavation of Middleton, Idaho, is the contractor for the $995,500 project.
For current driving conditions on Idaho highways, dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov.