4/20/2009
Construction on U.S. 20-26 east of Butte City and on U.S. 26 east of Ririe begins today (April 20)
RIGBY - Construction on U.S. 20‑26 east of Butte City and on U.S. 26 east of Ririe began today (April 20), the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced.
The projects originally were scheduled to begin a week ago, but road conditions were too wet. The project will improve safety and comfort for motorists and will extend the life of the highway surface.
Crews will repave 19 miles of U.S. 20‑26 from east of Butte City to its junction with the Idaho National Laboratory access highway at the U.S. 20-26 junction. They will use a type of construction known as cement recycled asphalt base stabilization (CRABS), which involves pulverizing the road surface and then adding a small amount of cement to the pulverized material. The mixture is compacted in place and used as the base for a layer of new plant mix -- a blend of asphalt and crushed rocks.
Construction crews also will repave 12 miles of U.S. 26 from Clark Hill east of Ririe to the Swan Valley Bridge.
Between Clark Hill and Granite Hill, the contractor will use a new construction process called Stress Absorbing Layer of Straight Asphalt, which involves shooting a layer of straight asphalt on the pavement and then overlaying this asphalt with two layers of plant mix.
Both projects will include seal‑coating, which entails spraying liquid asphalt on the highway and spreading a layer of crushed rock over it. The purpose is to protect pavement from weather damage and to provide a semi‑rough surface for improved vehicle traction.
After applying the seal-coats, crews will paint yellow centerlines and white edge stripes, and add other pavement markings.
During construction, motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. Travel will be reduced to one lane, with flaggers directing traffic through work zones.
A width restriction of 12 feet will be in force for commercial vehicles.
Work will take place on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Both projects are scheduled for completion by mid-September.
ITD awarded H‑K Contractors Inc. of Idaho Falls the $5.6 million contract for the U.S. 20‑26 project and the $4.6 million contract for the U.S. 26 project.
The transportation department urges motorists to drive carefully in and near construction zones. Orange highway signs with black letters or symbols and orange flags indicate construction activity ahead, even if the work cannot be observed immediately. Drivers should anticipate merging traffic, construction personnel and equipment, flaggers and pilot cars, and can experience uneven surfaces in construction areas.
The Idaho State Police reminds motorists that fines may double for work zones traffic violations.
For construction information on state highways, access the Idaho Traveler Services Web site at 511.idaho.gov, or dial 5‑1‑1 from phones within Idaho. Outside Idaho, dial toll‑free (888) 432‑7623. Reports are updated as road conditions change.