11/7/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Weekly GARVEE Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Nov. 7-14
BOISE - The following projects are part of the GARVEE Transportation Program in southwest Idaho, which uses funds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite highway projects.
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.
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.
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 - Robinson Boulevard and Black Cat Road bridge replacement
Crews will continue work on the Robinson Boulevard Bridge Monday night (Nov. 10) when a 63-ton cap is placed on a new bridge pier - comprised of two columns - on I-84. The 29-ton pier was placed in the median at Robinson on Oct. 28. It had been done a few days prior for the Black Cat bridge two miles to the west.
The pier cap is the concrete block that supports the bridge deck and distributes the weight of the bridge and vehicles driving on the structure.
The inside lane on westbound I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges will be closed overnight on Nov. 10 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. while the cap is placed. Another concrete cap will be placed on the new Black Cat Road Bridge later in the week.
The overnight placement is one of several accelerated bridge construction methods ITD is using to expedite construction on the heavily traveled interstate.
Work resumed last week on portions of the project not in the immediate area of the accident. No work is occurring on the bridge decks.
The bridge decks were being constructed in a field immediately northwest of the former Robinson Road structure. At the time of the accident, concrete was being poured for the first deck.
Investigators have begun gradually disassembling the structure in the continuing investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.
The bridge investigation is not expected to interfere with progress on the I-84 widening project.
Robinson Boulevard is closed from Franklin Road to Stamm Lane. Black Cat Road is closed between Franklin Road and Overland Road.
Graham Construction & Management Inc. of Spokane is the contractor for the $8.5 million bridge project.
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.
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 of 2009 and be complete in summer of 2011.
NAMPA - Interstate 84, Franklin Boulevard Interchange Bridge reconstruction
Motorists traveling near the I-84, Franklin Boulevard Interchange the nights of Monday (Nov. 10), Tuesday (Nov. 11) and Thursday (Nov. 13) can expect a 15-minute delay.
On Nov. 10 and 11, all I-84 eastbound lanes under the Franklin Boulevard Bridge will be closed. On Nov. 13, all westbound lanes in that area will be closed. Each night, traffic will exit and re-enter I-84 using the on- and off-ramps at the Franklin Boulevard Interchange.
The I-84 speed limit is 45 mph at night between Franklin and Garrity interchanges in Nampa through Nov. 10. Intermittent single-lane closures on I-84 will continue at night through November.
The restrictions are in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays and until 7 a.m. on weekends. The restrictions allow crews to place bridge girders for the Franklin Boulevard Bridge project and conduct tests for future I-84 improvements between the Franklin and Garrity interchanges.
The Franklin Boulevard Bridge project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2009 and will allow future widening on I-84.
Concrete Placing Company Inc. of Boise is the contractor for this $3.1 million project.