2/29/2008
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Feb. 29 - March 7
BOISE - Following is an update on highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
ADA COUNTY
Interstate 84 Garrity to Meridian widening
Night-time traffic changes on Interstate 84 began Feb. 12 for milling work between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. This work was scheduled to begin Jan. 28, but was delayed due to weather. I-84 is reduced to one lane in each direction from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. The traffic changes are expected to last through March 31 and will allow crews to remove ruts. During the daytime, all lanes of traffic will remain open. There may be daytime traffic delays when crews paint lane stripes. A reduced speed limit of 55 mph is in effect throughout construction. Removing the ruts will prepare this segment of I-84 for construction-related traffic shifts during the I-84 Garrity Interchange to Meridian Interchange project. The project will widen and reconstruct 6.2 miles of interstate between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. Milling is expected to be complete by March 31, 2008. After that, the transportation department will begin construction of a third lane in each direction in the existing median. A permanent barrier will be placed between east- and westbound lanes. The widening work will allow the transportation department to add a fourth lane in each direction in the future. Additional environmental work, traffic analysis and overpass widening are needed before the fourth lane can be completed. When finished, the new six-lane divided interstate will reduce congestion and improve safety for motorists. The project is expected to be complete in 2010. It's part of a series of improvements planned for I-84 between Caldwell and Meridian. The project is funded through the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to design and construct needed improvements throughout the state in less time than through traditional funding methods. Central Paving Co. of Boise is the contractor for the $1.1 million milling work. Crews also are 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 the additional lanes can be built on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. The inside shoulders on east- and westbound I-84 have closed and the speed limit is reduced to 55 miles per hour from milepost 42.5 to milepost 43.5. These traffic changes will continue through April 2008. ITD advises motorists to be aware of heavy equipment moving on and off the interstate while crews are working in the median.
Interstate 84 East improvements
Local utility providers are relocating lines underground on Panama Street in Boise in preparation for soundwall construction on I-84. Interstate 84 shoulder closures will be required from Monday, Feb. 25, to March 14. Shoulders will re-open during rush hours (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.) The utility work is the first step toward building the soundwall on the north side of I-84 from Cole Road to Broadway Avenue. The wall will range from 14 to 16 feet on the motorist side and will help reduce traffic noise for residents north of I-84. The soundwall project is one of several improvements planned for the I-84 East corridor in the next two years, including completing I-84 rehabilitation between Broadway Avenue and Eisenman Road, reconstructing the Orchard Street Interchange, reconstructing the Vista Avenue Interchange and widening I-84 between Cole Road and Broadway Avenue. These projects are part of the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses proceeds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to fund needed interstate improvements in less time than through traditional funding methods. The Broadway to Eisenman rehabilitation will be complete in late summer 2008. The transportation department expects soundwall construction to begin in late April 2008 and cost $11.5 million.
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 temperatures 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 closed on Jan. 25 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. Work inside the rest area to remove old fixtures is nearing completion, and will allow construction work to start. 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 is closed, and signs are posted to inform motorists of the closure. The rest area is scheduled to reopen in mid-May. 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
Night-time traffic changes on Interstate 84 began Feb. 12 for milling work between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. This work was scheduled to begin Jan. 28, but was delayed due to weather. I-84 is reduced to one lane in each direction from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. The traffic changes are expected to last through March 31 and will allow crews to remove ruts. During the daytime, all lanes of traffic will remain open. There may be daytime traffic delays when crews paint lane stripes. A reduced speed limit of 55 mph is in effect throughout construction. Removing the ruts will prepare this segment of I-84 for construction-related traffic shifts during the I-84 Garrity Interchange to Meridian Interchange project. The project will widen and reconstruct 6.2 miles of interstate between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. Milling is expected to be complete by March 31, 2008. After that, the transportation department will begin construction of a third lane in each direction in the existing median. A permanent barrier will be placed between east- and westbound lanes. The widening work will allow the transportation department to add a fourth lane in each direction in the future. Additional environmental work, traffic analysis and overpass widening are needed before the fourth lane can be completed. When finished, the new six-lane divided interstate will reduce congestion and improve safety for motorists. The project is expected to be complete in 2010. It's part of a series of improvements planned for I-84 between Caldwell and Meridian. The project is funded through the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to design and construct needed improvements throughout the state in less time than through traditional funding methods. Central Paving Co. of Boise is the contractor for the $1.1 million milling work. Crews also are 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 the additional lanes can be built on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. The inside shoulders on east- and westbound I-84 have closed and the speed limit is reduced to 55 miles per hour from milepost 42.5 to milepost 43.5. These traffic changes will continue through April 2008. ITD advises motorists to be aware of heavy equipment moving on and off the interstate while crews are working in the median.
Interstate 84 East improvements
Local utility providers are relocating lines underground on Panama Street in Boise in preparation for soundwall construction on I-84. Interstate 84 shoulder closures will be required from Monday, Feb. 25, to March 14. Shoulders will re-open during rush hours (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.) The utility work is the first step toward building the soundwall on the north side of I-84 from Cole Road to Broadway Avenue. The wall will range from 14 to 16 feet on the motorist side and will help reduce traffic noise for residents north of I-84. The soundwall project is one of several improvements planned for the I-84 East corridor in the next two years, including completing I-84 rehabilitation between Broadway Avenue and Eisenman Road, reconstructing the Orchard Street Interchange, reconstructing the Vista Avenue Interchange and widening I-84 between Cole Road and Broadway Avenue. These projects are part of the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses proceeds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to fund needed interstate improvements in less time than through traditional funding methods. The Broadway to Eisenman rehabilitation will be complete in late summer 2008. The transportation department expects soundwall construction to begin in late April 2008 and cost $11.5 million.
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 temperatures 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 closed on Jan. 25 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. Work inside the rest area to remove old fixtures is nearing completion, and will allow construction work to start. 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 is closed, and signs are posted to inform motorists of the closure. The rest area is scheduled to reopen in mid-May. 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.