8/11/2009
Traffic Alert: Chinden seal coat work to affect traffic through Friday (August 14)
BOISE -- If you can avoid Chinden Boulevard between the I-84 connector ramps and Eagle Road between now and Friday, you'll save yourself time and aggravation. The Idaho Transportation Department is doing everything possible to minimize traffic impacts caused by a seal coat operation along Chinden, yet the reality is that motorists will be affected by the effort to strengthen and repair the heavily traveled road.
"We put signs up weeks in advance of this project warning drivers of traffic delays," said ITD project manager Daris Bruce. "We have flaggers directing traffic through and across Chinden. With a project of this magnitude, there's not much more we can do to make it any easier for people, while still completing the work in a timely manner. The best idea would be to avoid the area altogether if possible."
Today (Tuesday, August 11) is the last day that crews will be applying rock and oil to the roadway surface, and cleaning up. The next two days (Wednesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 13) will be spent applying a fog coat, which is the final layer. While this work can be done faster, the pavement will be sticky for a few days. A week later, the entire stretch will be re-striped.
Snake River Construction of Twin Falls is the contractor on this $1.4 million project.
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.