10/24/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Reminder: Black Cat and Robinson bridge column placement will restrict I-84 traffic tonight, Monday night
BOISE - New bridge columns will be placed tonight (Friday, Oct. 24) and Monday (Oct. 27) night for the Black Cat Road and Robinson Boulevard bridges over Interstate 84 through an accelerated bridge construction process new to the state, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Motorists should expect single-lane closures on westbound I-84 tonight and Monday night while the bridge columns are placed. Additional lane closures will be necessary Wednesday (Oct. 29) and Friday (Oct. 31) nights for placement of pier caps on the newly installed columns.
To eliminate weeks of traffic interruptions on I-84 and improve the safety of both workers and motorists, the 29-ton concrete bridge columns were cast off-site in Spokane. They will be hauled into the work zone and lifted into place in the median.
"In two months, the crews have completed work that would have required much longer if they had been working over I-84," said Shawna King, regional engineer and project manager for ITD. "We estimate that this method will expedite the widening project by up to 10 months."
The overnight placement is one of several accelerated bridge construction methods ITD is using to expedite construction on the heavily-traveled Garrity to Meridian corridor of I-84.
The old Robinson and Black Cat bridges had multiple columns that prevented work on the interstate widening currently started between Nampa and Meridian. Both bridges were demolished in late September.
New bridge decks are being constructed adjacent to I-84 and will be set on the new columns in December using heavy-duty transporters.
The $8.5 million Robinson and Black Cat bridge reconstruction is funded through the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite I-84 improvements.
Graham Construction and Management of Spokane is the contractor.
NOTE TO EDITORS - There is an opportunity for media outlets on Monday night (Oct. 27) to take photos, get video footage, or conduct interviews during the new bridge column placement (between 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.) for the Robinson Boulevard structure. If you are interested, please contact Reed Hollinshead of ITD's communications team at 334-8881.