8/29/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho weekly highway construction report for Aug. 29-Sept. 5
BOISE - Following is an update on interstate and state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
ADA & CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84 East improvements - Soundwalls
Work is under way to build a soundwall north on I-84 from Cole Road to Broadway Avenue. The wall will range from 14 to 16 feet high on the motorist side and up to 24 feet high on the property owner side, and will help reduce traffic noise for residents.
The outside shoulder of westbound I-84 is closed to traffic at all times, and the speed limit is 55 mph. Flaggers on the westbound off-ramps of the Broadway, Vista and Orchard interchanges may stop traffic briefly for construction vehicles.
Record Steel and Construction Inc. (RSCI) of Meridian is the contractor on this $9.6 million soundwall project.
The soundwall is one of several improvements planned for the I-84 East corridor in the next two years, including reconstructing the Orchard Street and Vista Avenue interchanges and widening I-84 between Cole Road and Broadway Avenue.
Interstate 84, Garrity to Meridian widening
Crews are working day and night to construct additional lanes on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges.
Median work to prepare for new lanes between the Garrity Interchange and the Ten Mile Overpass is expected to be complete this fall. Construction of additional lanes in that location will begin soon.
Reconstruction of existing westbound lanes between the Ten Mile Overpass and the Meridian Interchange is expected this fall. During reconstruction, westbound traffic will be shifted onto the new pavement in the existing median between the Meridian Interchange and the Black Cat Overpass.
Motorists can expect nighttime lane closures on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges to continue through September. Two lanes of traffic in each direction are always open during the day (5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends). The I-84 speed limit is reduced to 55 mph and the inside shoulders are closed in the project area.
I-84 widening and reconstruction from Garrity to Meridian is expected to be complete in 2010.
Beginning this fall, a separate project will reconstruct the Robinson and Black Cat overpasses to accommodate four lanes in each direction on I-84. Construction of a new interchange at Ten Mile Road is anticipated to begin in summer of 2009 and be complete in summer of 2011.
Interstate 84, Franklin Boulevard Interchange Bridge reconstruction
Demolition of the east half of the Franklin Boulevard Bridge over I-84 in Nampa will continue at night tonight (Friday, Aug. 29) and Sept. 2-4. Built in 1965, the bridge will be reconstructed to match the west half built in 1999 and allow future widening on I-84.
Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction on the bridge. The I-84 speed limit is 55 mph in the project area.
During demolition, motorists traveling on I-84 near the Franklin Boulevard Interchange between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. will be delayed for about 15 minutes each night. All lanes on I-84 under the Franklin Boulevard Bridge will be closed. Traffic will be directed off I-84 then back on using the interchange. Motorists on the bridge also can expect to be delayed for about 15 minutes. Nighttime noise is expected to increase in the project area.
Concrete Placing Company of Boise is the contractor on this $3.1 million project.
The above projects are part of the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses funds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite interstate.
PAYETTE COUNTY
IDAHO/OREGON STATE LINE - Snake River View Rest Area
The Snake River View Rest Area is receiving new landscaping and irrigation, new fixtures in the men's and women's restrooms, a repaved parking lot and sidewalk improvements to increase handicapped access.
The rest area, on the eastbound side of I-84 on the Idaho side of the Oregon border, is scheduled to reopen in early September. A patio area that overlooks the Snake River was renovated. Walls and a window were added to make the patio more comfortable for year-round use.
Before reopening, the final work on the project includes the interior of the rest area building being painted and cleaned.
The rest area was built in 1966 and refurbished in 1987.
King Excavation of Caldwell is the contractor for the $995,500 project.
The eastbound off-ramp from I-84 to the rest area is closed, and posted signs inform motorists of the closure.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
WEISER - Snake River Bridge replacement
The Snake River Bridge on the U.S. 95 Spur in Weiser is being replaced with a wider structure. The bridge connects Annex, Ore., to Weiser.
Ongoing work involves placement of the new bridge deck. Once that is completed, the project will be about 50 percent finished.
The girders for phase 1 on the bridge have been set. Over the next few weeks, crews are placing the wood forms to facilitate pouring the concrete bridge deck. Crews are also pouring intermediate diaphragms (concrete stabilizers) to ensure the girders stay in place.
A bridge was built in 1903, and an additional span was added in 1911. Traffic signals were added in 1949. The bridge was replaced in the 1950s, and that is the one being rebuilt today. Once completed, the bridge will be 16 feet wider and able to carry greater traffic volumes. The road on both sides of the bridge also will be reconstructed.
New curb, gutter and sidewalks are being reconstructed on the Idaho side of the bridge.
Lane closures are in effect on the west ramp on the Idaho side of the bridge. Motorists will use the east ramp in both directions to access and exit Old Highway 70 at the bridge.
The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph on the Oregon side of the bridge.
Sletten Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $10 million project. The project is expected to be completed in Fall 2009. It originally was slated for completion in 2010, but crews are significantly ahead of schedule.
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 information on the state highway or interstate system.