5/15/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Blasting will cause brief closures in I-84 Franklin Interchange area on Sunday morning (May 18)
BOISE - Motorists will be delayed near the I-84 Franklin Interchange on Sunday morning (May 18) while crews blast rock, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
East- and westbound I-84 will be closed for approximately 10 minutes at Exit 29 (Franklin Road) between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. The Franklin Road Overpass also will be closed at that time. Flaggers and pilot cars will direct traffic.
Utilization of the gas pumps and parking on the side of the Sage Travel Plaza closest to the blasting will be restricted during the blast.
The blasting will remove rock under the eastbound on-ramp. It is part of the Franklin Road Interchange project that will lengthen and widen all four interchange ramps at their intersection with Franklin Road. The project includes building a new overpass with two through lanes in each direction and dual left turn lanes in each direction.
Aviation Way, which had been closed recently as part of the construction, is now open.
The project also will widen Franklin Road from two to five lanes on both sides of the new interchange overpass. The improved road will have a curb, gutter, sidewalk, bicycle lanes and shoulder.
Construction is scheduled to be finished this summer.
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.