4/11/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for April 11-18
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
Rut removal and minor repaving work on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges will be complete by the end of this week. Preparation work for the addition of a third lane in the median in a two-mile stretch of roadway between Ten Mile and Meridian is under way. The third lane will eventually extend throughout the project, but will be built in this area first.
Beginning in late May, construction of the third lane in each direction will begin, first from Ten Mile to Meridian, then from Ten Mile west to Garrity. Following expansion work, a permanent barrier will be placed between east- and westbound lanes as a safety improvement.
During the day, all lanes of traffic will remain open. A reduced speed limit of 55 mph is in effect throughout construction.
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.
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.
Record Steel and Construction Inc. (RSCI) of Meridian is the contractor on this $9.5 million soundwall project.
The Broadway to Eisenman rehabilitation, which started in September 2007, resumed April 1 and is on schedule to be completed in June. Several lane and ramp closures are expected on eastbound I-84 during paving Sunday (April 13) through Sunday (April 20).
The eastbound on-ramp at Gowen Road will be closed April 13-18. The eastbound off-ramp will be closed briefly during non-rush hours on April 15 and 17, as weather permits. The eastbound off-ramps will be closed at
Eisenman Road. One ramp at Eisenman Road will re-open during closures at the Gowen eastbound off-ramp.
The eastbound on- and off-ramps will be closed April 18-21 at the Broadway Interchange. The closure will begin at 8 p.m. Friday and end at 6 a.m. Monday.
In addition, I-84 lane closures are expected between the Broadway and Eisenman interchanges.
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 repaving project.
Idaho 44, Glenwood Bridge to Riverside Drive
Motorists can expect minor traffic impacts during a month-long project starting Monday (April 14) on Idaho 44 between the Glenwood Bridge and Riverside Drive.
The project will add approximately 700 feet of curb, gutter and sidewalk, and improve drainage along the east side of Idaho 44.
Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in the daytime, and during nighttime work both northbound lanes will be closed. Flaggers will be on hand to assist motorists. Work requiring lane closures will be completed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
McAlvain Excavation of Boise is the contractor on this $99,739 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 also is 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 28. 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, motorists are urged to exercise caution, as the speed limit drops from 65 mph to 45 mph near the project.
Western Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $2.6 million project.
Chicago Street and 21st Avenue, Caldwell
Motorists are reduced to one lane in each direction throughout April for intersection improvements at the intersection of Chicago Street and 21st Avenue in Caldwell.
The project will widen both Chicago Street and 21st Avenue at the intersection to add a left-hand turn bay on 21st Avenue, and add traffic signals, construct sidewalks, curb and gutter, and enhance the stormwater drainage facilities. It is the first of several enhancements to 21st Avenue between Chicago Street and Franklin Road.
WF Construction and Sales LLC of Meridian is the contractor on this $448,145 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, began April 7.
Traffic is 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 fixtures.
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.
Jct. U.S. 30 to Vista Ave., Fruitland
This half-mile project to widen the existing roadway and construct a new roadway segment, bike paths, curb, gutter and sidewalk on N. Allen Avenue in Fruitland resumed April 11. The project originally began in February, but closed for 30 days for the relocation of utilities.
The project is scheduled to end in May 2008.
WF Construction & Sales of Meridian is the concractor on this $756,675 project.
Motorists can expect road closures, lane restrictions, or delays. The City of Fruitland is also doing work in the same area.
ITD and the Idaho State Police warn motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for driving information on the state highway or interstate system.