4/4/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for April 4-11
BOISE - Following is an update on highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
These two Ada County projects are part of the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses funds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite interstate improvements.
ADA COUNTY
Interstate 84 Garrity to Meridian widening
Nighttime traffic changes remain in effect on Interstate 84 between Garrity and Meridian for the completion of rut removal. When crews are working, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., I-84 is reduced to one lane in each direction in the project area.
During the day, all lanes of traffic 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. Traffic changes are expected to last through Tuesday (April 8).
Milling work on the project is finished, and minor pavement work is expected to be completed next week.
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, which will widen and reconstruct 6.2 miles of interstate.
Central Paving Co. of Boise is the contractor for the $1.1 million milling work.
The transportation department will begin construction this spring of a third lane in each direction in the existing median. Following expansion work, a permanent barrier will be placed between east- and westbound lanes.
When finished, the new six-lane divided interstate will reduce congestion and improve safety for motorists. The project, part of a series of improvements planned for I-84 between Caldwell and Meridian, is expected to be complete in 2010.
Widening also 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 built.
Crews also are extending a drainage structure that runs under I-84 and allows Ten Mile Creek (an irrigation drain belonging to the Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District) to flow beneath the interstate just west of the Meridian Interchange. The drainage structure must be extended through the median before the additional lanes can be built on I-84. During this work, the inside shoulders on east- and westbound I-84 between milepost 42 to milepost 44 are closed, and the speed limit is reduced to 55 mph. These traffic changes will continue through April.
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 in May. Interstate 84 shoulder closures are required. Shoulders will re-open during rush hours (6 a.m. - 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 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 high and will help reduce traffic noise for residents north of I-84.
Record Steel and Construction Inc. (RSCI) of Meridian is the contractor on this $9.5 million soundwall project.
The soundwall is one of several improvements planned for the I-84 East corridor in the next two years, including completion of repaving on I-84 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.
The Broadway to Eisenman rehabilitation, which started in September 2007, resumed April 1. It involves the repaving of 6.1 miles of roadway and should be completed in June. The final two inches of new asphalt pavement will be placed on the roadway. Last year, the first four inches were placed. The project is expected to extend the roadway surface life 20 to 30 years.
The speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph in the project area for safety.
Western Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $12 million project.
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 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 rebuilding, which started in early December 2006, will enhance several aspects of the interchange. Ramps are being lengthened and widened to two lanes at their intersection with Franklin. Construction is scheduled to be finished this fall.
The eastbound off-ramp is also being rebuilt. Crews are working on roadway illumination and drainage.
All ramps are open to vehicles during construction. Minor work remains on the westbound on-ramp this spring. It will not impact traffic, or will be done at night to minimize impact.
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, and bicycle lanes.
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 north of U.S. 20/26 this spring for concrete paving. Paving may be done at night or day, depending on weather restrictions that include a minimum temperature of 40 degrees.
This closure is tentatively slated for two weeks, starting April 21. However, it is weather- and temperature-dependent, so the start date may change as conditions dictate.
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.
Concrete Placing Co. of Boise is the contractor for the $24.8 million project.
U.S. 20, Junction of U.S. 95 to Notus East City Limits
A repaving project to extend the life of the roadway on seven miles of U.S. 20 to the east of Parma in Canyon County, from the junction of U.S. 95 to Notus, will cause minor delays and speed reductions through the completion of the project at the end of May.
Traffic will be maintained throughout the project, and no significant delays or restrictions are anticipated. Flaggers will be on hand to direct traffic.
During the work, there will be more immediate speed reductions from 65 mph to 45 mph as traffic approaches town from both the east and west.
Western Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $2.6 million project.
Idaho 45, Melba Road to Deer Flat Road south of Nampa
A pavement rehabilitation project along eight miles of Idaho 45 south of Nampa, from Melba Road to Deer Flat Road, will begin Monday (April 7).
Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the construction zone and will be assisted by flaggers and a pilot car.
This project also will upgrade substandard bridge guardrail at the Mora Canal.
The project is scheduled for completion in late May.
American Paving Co. of Meridian is the contractor on this $2.2 million project.
PAYETTE COUNTY
Snake River View Rest Area
The Snake River View Rest Area, closed since Jan. 25 for renovations, 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.
Work inside the rest area to remove old fixtures is complete, and the contractor is working on installing the new fictures.
The original rest area was built in 1966, and refurbished in 1987.
King Excavation of Caldwell is the contractor for the $995,500 project. The rest area, on the eastbound side of Interstate 84 on the Idaho side of the Oregon border, is scheduled to re-open in June.
The eastbound off-ramp from Interstate 84 to the rest area is closed, and posted signs inform motorists of the closure.
For current driving conditions and reports on construction activity, dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov on the Web.