6/11/2009
CALDWELL - Indian Creek Bridge replacement
BOISE -- Demolition is underway on two deteriorated bridges (21st and 11th Avenue structures) that span Indian Creek. The bridges are being replaced to improve their structural integrity and extend the life of the roadway.
Pile driving will begin next week on the 21st Avenue Bridge near Chicago Street. The bridge is being widened to four lanes (two lanes in each direction) to better serve the well-traveled route between I-84 and The College of Idaho.
Two lanes of traffic are being maintained during construction, and business access on 21st Avenue remains open. Temporary signs are in place to direct customers.
Removal of the existing bridge and construction of the new concrete bridge is being completed in two phases. During the first phase, the east portion of the bridge will be removed and reconstructed, and traffic routed onto the existing bridge. During the second phase, traffic will shift to the completed portion of the new bridge while the other half is reconstructed.
The 11th Avenue structure at Indian Creek is beneath the intersection of 11th and Arthur Street. Because of the structure's alignment with the intersection and the creek, the intersection must be closed during installation of the new steel structure. Through-traffic is being detoured around the work zone.
Access to homes and businesses remains open and temporary signs are in place to direct customers to local businesses.
To minimize noise impacts to nearby residents, crews are limiting work hours to daytime only, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Additional measures, such as equipment mufflers, intake silencers or engine enclosures are also being used to reduce noise from construction equipment.
Construction is expected to be complete in November 2009.
Braun-Jensen of Payette is the contractor on this $2.3 million project. This is a Local Highway Technical Assistance Council project, and the local sponsor is the city of Caldwell.