3/19/2009
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho weekly highway construction report for March 20-27
BOISE - Following is an update on interstate and state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
ADA COUNTY
MERIDIAN - Eagle Road Underpass pathway
Work is under way to build a pathway underneath the Boise River's North Channel structure, connecting the Greenbelt on the east and west sides of Idaho 55 in Eagle.
This project will construct 260 feet of 10-foot-wide multi-use pathway.
All work below water level is complete. The contractor also has built the foundation for the new path, and is working to finish the concrete pathway by the end of March.
The project is expected to be complete in late April.
McAlvain Excavation Inc. of Boise is the contractor on this $184,000 project.
The city of Eagle is the local sponsor, and also is a financial contributor to this Federal Transportation Enhancement project.
CANYON COUNTY
CALDWELL - Franklin and 21st road and bridge project
A project is under way to reconstruct a one-quarter mile section of 21st Avenue in Caldwell and build a new bridge over the Notus Canal by July.
The 21st Avenue intersection with Franklin Road is about one-quarter mile west of the newly reconstructed Franklin Road Interchange (Exit 29) in Caldwell.
The 21st Avenue leg of the intersection will be closed from Franklin to Chicago through May.
The current three-lane 21st Avenue is being reconstructed into a five-lane urban roadway. The work includes excavation, base, pavement, siphon culvert structure, storm-sewer drainage, and installation of curb, gutter, sidewalk and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant pedestrian ramps.
Crews have poured concrete for the new canal structure, and are completing the second half of that structure. In addition, rebar is being prepared for the upcoming concrete pours necessary for the project.
Central Paving Co. Inc. of Boise is the contractor on this $2.6 million project.
CALDWELL - Linden and 10th Intersection improvement
A project to improve the intersection of Linden Street and 10th Avenue in Caldwell is now under way.
Intersection improvements include installation of a new traffic signal, irrigation work, a standard five-foot concrete sidewalk, curb, gutter, 200 to 300 feet of roadway approach work and signage.
Irrigation work is under way, and is expected to completed the week of March 2-6.
Idaho Sand & Gravel Co. of Nampa is the contractor on this $460,915 project, which is expected to finish by April 15.
ELMORE COUNTY
EMMETT - Payette River Bridge improvement
The bridge deck of the Payette River Bridge on Idaho 52 in Emmett will be improved in this project, which began March 16.
An inch and a half of the old surface will be removed, with two inches of new concrete added to the surface. This thicker, more dense surface material can extend the life of the bridge significantly.
One lane of traffic will be maintained across the bridge during the project. Flaggers will guide motorists initially, but temporary signals on both the north and south ends of the bridge will be used to control traffic for the remainder of the project.
The existing bridge was built in 1971. Over time, the effects of age, traffic and road salts from de-icing in the winter have contributed to a deterioration of the concrete on the deck surface. The other parts of the bridge (such as girders and piers) are still in good condition.
Braun-Jensen of Boise is the contractor on this $375,000 project, which is expected to be finished early this summer.
MOUNTAIN HOME - Idaho 67 (Airbase Rd) and Idaho 51 (Bruneau Hwy) intersection improvement
Improvements to the intersection of Idaho 67 (Airbase Road) and Idaho 51 (Bruneau Highway) are under way.
A traffic signal will be added, as will turn lanes on both the Idaho 51 and Elmcrest Street legs of the intersection. On the five-lane Airbase Road leg of the intersection, one lane will remain open in each direction, as will the center-turn lane. At Elmcrest Street and Idaho 51, one lane will remain open during work and flaggers will help guide traffic.
The roads will remain open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day during the project. Because of noise restrictions, work is not planned overnight.
WF Construction & Sales LLC of Meridian is the contractor on this $514,000 project.
The project is expected to be complete by mid-May.
OWYHEE COUNTY
HOMEDALE - Snake River Bridge improvement
This project will improve the Snake River Bridge on U.S. 95 at Homedale, restoring and overlaying the bridge deck, which consists of two 16-foot travel lanes with a sidewalk on the west side.
The project is expected to be complete by mid-May.
One lane of the bridge will be closed. Temporary traffic signals will be used on both the east and west ends of the project to control the remaining open lane. Flaggers also may be used during the project.
The bridge was built in 1969, with no significant repairs since. An extra inch of thickness will be added to the bridge deck (driving surface) during the overlay. The approaches on both the north and south ends also will be repaved for 50 feet. In addition, the bridge joints will be replaced and one of the piers patched. Fifty feet of curb and gutter also will be replaced and 27 feet of guardrail reset.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc. of Boise is the contractor on this $639,000 project.
PAYETTE COUNTY
NEW PLYMOUTH - Pedestrian pathway project
Pedestrian movement will be enhanced in this project in New Plymouth.
This project will reconstruct 987 feet of sidewalk and construct ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant ramps - with greater radius to accommodate wheelchairs - through downtown New Plymouth.
The project is expected to be complete by this summer.
Diamond Contractors of Eagle is the contractor on this $257,000 project. The city of New Plymouth has also partnered in funding this Transportation Enhancement project.
PAYETTE - 7th Avenue North improvement
A project is under way to improve about one-half mile of 7th Avenue North in Payette, which leads to McCain Middle School and the Western Idaho Community Action Partnership (WICAP) Head Start. The construction project extends from 11th to 18th on 7th Avenue and crosses U.S. 95.
The road will be rebuilt and widened with new curbs, gutters and pedestrian ramps per ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. New sidewalk and bike lanes will be completed, the bridge over the irrigation canal in this location replaced and drainage improved for residents.
Traffic reductions remain in effect this coming week (March 23-27) as crews remove and replace irrigation line under the highway. Flaggers will control traffic at the intersection of U.S. 95 and 7th Avenue North. Lane restrictions are expected. Motorists on U.S. 95 will be limited to one lane as they travel through Payette and could encounter delays of up to 10-15 minutes.
Following the completion of work each day, restrictions will be lifted and full use of U.S. 95 will be allowed.
West of U.S. 95, 7th Avenue is open at night, but east of U.S. 95, 7th Avenue is closed due to the canal bridge construction.
Knife River is the contractor on this $1.5 million project, which is expected to be complete in July.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
MIDVALE HILL - rest area improvement project
A project to upgrade the rest area on U.S. 95 at Midvale Hill began March 2. The rest area is now closed to the public.
This project will rehabilitate the existing rest area (built in 1987) and caretaker facilities, create additional truck parking, and include other repairs. The rest room building is being completely reconstructed.
Erosion control measures and earthwork have begun on the project. The earthwork will widen the parking area for commercial trucks.
The rest area will be closed during this project, and signs will be posted in Cambridge and Weiser to announce the closure. No temporary facilities are planned during this work. The project is expected to finish by August 2009.
WF Construction & Sales LLC of Meridian is the contractor on this $1.4 million project.
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.
Motorists were switched from the old bridge to a new section of the rebuilt bridge Dec. 4. Only one lane of traffic can safely pass over the new bridge section. To accommodate traffic crossing over the bridge in opposite directions, portable signals are being used.
The contractor has stationed a crane on the Idaho side of the bridge in preparation to remove the rest of the old bridge. The removal of the old bridge is already about 65 percent complete.
The contractor will continue to work on the new bridge as the old bridge is removed.
The right and left ramps on the Idaho side of the bridge are closed. Traffic must follow the detour to access Old Highway 70. In addition, any traffic 12 feet or wider and/or taller than 14 feet 2 inches will need to detour through Payette.
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 - that's the one being replaced in this project. 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.
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 early winter. 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.