7/30/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Soundwall placement to begin Friday (Aug. 1) along I-84 between Cole Road and Broadway Avenue
BOISE - Work begins Friday (Aug. 1) to place soundwall panels along I-84 between Cole Road and Broadway Avenue, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The panels are the first of 1,500 pieces that will be used to build a concrete soundwall on the westbound side of I-84. The wall will range from 14 to 16 feet high on the motorist side and will help reduce traffic noise for residents north of I-84.
Wall panels will be lowered onto a concrete foundation by a crane on the interstate shoulder. Each panel weighs approximately 3,300 pounds.
To avoid disrupting traffic on the busy interstate, all foundation pieces and wall panels will be cast off-site and delivered to the work zone.
"The construction process will be challenging because the work will be done within a narrow space close to the roadway," said project manager Tisha Hyde. "We are asking motorists to keep their eyes on the road and avoid the temptation to watch the construction. This will help keep our work zone safe."
The ITD Office of Highway Safety reported this month that following too closely and driver inattentiveness were the top two contributing factors to Idaho work zone crashes in 2007.
The speed limit is 55 mph on westbound I-84 between the Cole and Broadway interchanges, and some westbound off-ramp lanes have been narrowed.
The soundwall project is expected to be complete in early 2009. It is one of several improvements planned for the I-84 East corridor, including reconstruction of the Orchard and Vista interchanges and the addition of a third and fourth lane to I-84 between the Cole and Broadway interchanges.
The projects are funded by the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses proceeds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite interstate improvements.
RSCI of Meridian is the contractor for the $9.6 million I-84, Cole to Broadway soundwalls project.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Media representatives are invited to observe soundwall construction anytime between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday (Aug. 1). Crews will be placing the first series of wall panels. ITD staff will be available for interviews. An ITD van will shuttle media representatives between the Holiday Inn entrance and the work site at designated appointment times. To reserve a time, call Reed Hollinshead at 334-8881. Hard hats and orange vests will be provided and required at all times.