10/31/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Oct. 31-Nov. 7
BOISE - Following is an update on interstate and state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
ADA and CANYON COUNTY
BOISE - Interstate 84 East improvements - Soundwall placement
Work is under way to build a soundwall north of westbound I-84 from Cole Road to Broadway Avenue. The wall will help reduce traffic noise for residents adjacent to I-84.
The first two segments of the wall are complete. Crews are installing panels between the Vista and Broadway interchanges. The project is expected to be complete in January.
The outside shoulder of westbound I-84 is closed between the Vista and Broadway interchanges. Flaggers may stop daytime traffic on the Broadway and Vista westbound off-ramps while construction vehicles enter or exit the work zone.
The westbound I-84 on-ramp entrance from southbound Broadway Avenue is restricted for worker safety.
The speed limit is 55 mph.
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 near future, including reconstructing the Orchard Street and Vista Avenue interchanges and widening I-84 between Cole Road and Broadway Avenue.
WEST TREASURE VALLEY - Robinson Boulevard and Black Cat Road bridge replacement
Work has resumed on portions of the project not in the immediate area of the Oct. 27 bridge collapse at Robinson Boulevard. Crews erected the 29-ton bridge support column in the median for the Robinson structure overnight on Oct. 28. It had been done a few days prior for the Black Cat structure two miles to the west. Abutment and pier work also resumed.
Graham Construction & Management Inc. of Spokane is the contractor on this $8.5 million project.
ITD has brought in two nationally recognized forensic engineering companies - WJE Engineering of Seattle and Parsons Brinckerhoff of Portland - to conduct independent investigations, complete accident reconstruction scenarios and delve into possible causes. Both companies have extensive experience in bridge engineering and forensics. Graham and OHSHA also are investigating.
Work began in late September to replace the I-84 overpasses at Robinson Boulevard and Black Cat Road. The two bridges were demolished on Sept. 26. Before the accident, the project was expected to be finished in late January.
The bridge spans are being constructed at a site just off I-84, northwest of the former Robinson Road structure. At the time of the collapse, concrete was being poured for the first of four slabs to form the decks of the bridges.
Two lanes of traffic will remain open during daytime hours. At least one lane of traffic will be open at night (10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends).
Robinson Boulevard is closed from Franklin Road to Stamm Lane. Black Cat Road is closed between Franklin Road and Overland Road.
The former overpasses were supported by multiple columns spaced too closely, making it impossible to safely add lanes to I-84 with the current bridges in place.
BOISE - Interstate 84 East improvements - New York Canal widening
Crews are widening the I-84 bridge over the New York Canal just east of the Orchard Street Interchange to allow new ramp lanes at the Orchard Interchange and future additional lanes in the I-84 median.
Traffic on I-84 between the Orchard and Vista interchanges can expect nighttime lane closures through Tuesday (Nov. 4). Daytime noise will increase for the next two to three weeks. At least one lane in each direction is open from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekends. All lanes are open during the day.
The speed limit on I-84 is 55 mph and shoulders are restricted in the project area.
The project is expected to be complete in spring of 2009.
WEST TREASURE VALLEY - Interstate 84, Garrity to Meridian widening
Intermittent nighttime lane closures continue on east- and westbound I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. At least one lane in each direction on I-84 is typically open at night. Two lanes of traffic in each direction are 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 55 mph and shoulders are restricted in the project area.
Widening and reconstruction of I-84 from Garrity to Meridian is expected to be complete in 2010. Construction of a new interchange at Ten Mile Road is anticipated to begin in June 2009 and be complete in summer of 2011.
NAMPA - Interstate 84, Franklin Boulevard Interchange Bridge reconstruction
Traffic signals will be turned off and flaggers will direct traffic on the I-84, Franklin Boulevard Interchange in Nampa on Monday (Nov. 3). Crews will be hauling bridge girders into the work zone for the I-84, Franklin Boulevard Bridge project.
Bridge reconstruction is expected to be complete in early summer of 2009. Concrete Placing Company Inc. of Boise is the contractor on this $3.1 million project.
On the nights of Nov. 3-10, I-84 lanes will be restricted and the speed limit will be 45 mph between Franklin and Garrity interchanges in Nampa. The restrictions will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays and until 7 a.m. on weekends. Crews will be conducting tests for future improvements to I-84 between Franklin and Garrity.
The above projects are all part of the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses funds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite highway projects.
BOISE - Eastbound Connector sign bridge replacement
The left lane is closed on the eastbound Connector (I-184) near the Chinden Boulevard Bridge through Saturday morning (Nov. 1) for the completion of a project to replace an old over-the-roadway signpost.
The initial lane closure is for removal of the old sign post and placement of the new T-pole sign post. The lane closure will return Nov. 6-8 as crews re-install guardrail in the median.
Short-term lane restrictions may occur through Nov. 15 for clean-up work, but will not be allowed during peak-hour traffic periods.
The lane closure is necessary for the safety of motorists traveling near the construction site and crew members within the work zone.
The inside median shoulder in the westbound lanes also will be closed during the installation of the new sign.
Drivers are urged to use caution when driving through the construction zone and watch for workers and equipment.
Specialty Construction of Boise is the contractor on this project.
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.
A significant amount of the new bridge deck has been poured, and work on the roadway approaches to the bridge proceeds.
The original bridge was built in 1903, with an additional span 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 highway 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 caution 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.