11/4/2008
Restrictions required for Interstate 86 bridge repairs at Exit 40
POCATELLO - Interstate 86 is reduced to a single lane in both directions at the American Falls Interchange (Exit 40), while contractors prepare for removal of a damaged girder, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
A replacement girder is scheduled to arrive from Teton Precast in Idaho Falls on Wednesday. Removal of the existing girder, curb and about six feet of the bridge deck above I-86 will be removed Thursday night, and the replacement will be installed.
The interstate under the bridge will be closed from 7 p.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday to facilitate removal and replacement. East- and westbound traffic will be diverted onto the interchange ramps to avoid the construction. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph on the ramps.
Interstate traffic should be fully restored by 8 a.m. Friday.
Lakeshore Road, which provides access to American Falls over the bridge, has been closed since an over-height load damaged the girder on Sept. 25. A truck hauling a wind turbine tower failed to make it under the span, damaging the outside girder of the eastbound lane.
Cannon Builders of Blackfoot was the low bidder for the emergency repairs and began work on Tuesday (Nov. 4). Cost of the repairs is about $200,000.
ITD expects the project to be completed before Thanksgiving (Nov. 27). The construction contract includes monetary incentives for completing the project ahead of the Nov. 26 deadline.
For information about construction activity on state highways, dial 5-1-1or visit 511 Traveler Services on the Web at 511.idaho.gov .