11/25/2009
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Bridge closures in Weiser start Monday night (Nov. 30)
WEISER - The Snake River Bridge on the U.S. 95 Spur in Weiser will be closed overnight from midnight to 6 a.m. Monday to Tuesday (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) and again Wednesday to Thursday (Dec. 2-3) for the pouring of the new concrete bridge deck. The bridge connecting Annex, Ore., to Weiser is being replaced with a wider structure.
Electronic message boards will be put out on each end of the bridge starting on Sunday to announce the impending closures, and flaggers will be stationed on each end to control traffic during the pour itself.
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 is being reconstructed.
Sletten Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $10 million project. The project is expected to be completed by mid-February 2010.
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.