3/6/2009
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
UPDATE: Black Cat and Robinson bridges now re-open
BOISE - The Black Cat and Robinson bridges over I-84 re-opened around 5:30 this morning (Friday, March 6), the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The bridge re-opening means that more than 7,600 vehicles per day will be able to once again travel over the overpasses. According to 2007 data (2008 data will be available in mid-April), 5,500 vehicles per day cross over the Robinson bridge, and 2,100 per day over the Black Cat bridge.
The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph across the bridges until late March for the remainder of paving.
Also later in March, traffic across the bridge will be restricted to one lane for final paving.
The bridges were removed last fall. The collapse in late October of one of the bridge decks delayed the bridge from re-opening in late January.
ITD's replacement of the Robinson Boulevard and Black Cat Road bridges will accommodate new lanes on I-84 under the bridges. The re-opening of these bridges to traffic is another significant milestone in the group of projects designed to improve I-84 between Nampa and Boise.
The project, in its entirety, is expected to be complete April 1.
ITD is committed to completing this project as soon as possible. Acordingly, only two of the four nights the contractor had available for complete I-84 closures were used, and a traditional bridge-construction method was utilized once it became clear that was the quickest way to complete the project and minimize impacts to motorists. Close coordination between ITD, the prime contractor and multiple sub-contractors kept things running smoothly for commuters.
Investigations are still under way to determine the cause of the collapse. The investigation will not interfere with progress on I-84.
The contractor for this $8.5 million project is Graham Construction & Management Inc. of Spokane.
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 may 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.