12/9/2009
Apparent low bidder announced for U.S. 95 project north of Hayden
COEUR d'ALENE - Interstate Concrete and Asphalt of Coeur d'Alene is the apparent low bidder on a project that will eliminate a two-lane, two-mile bottleneck on U.S. 95 north of Hayden, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The project will widen a two-lane section of U.S. 95, between Wyoming Avenue and the Idaho 53 junction, to connect with four-lane segments on both ends. Widening the highway will create four continuous lanes from Coeur d'Alene to north of Garwood. A traffic signal at Lancaster Avenue also will be constructed, improving safety at the intersection.
The project is funded with savings from federal highway stimulus projects bid earlier this year. Construction will begin in the spring 2010 and be completed in the fall.
"Designating some of the savings from stimulus projects to this heavily traveled segment of U.S. 95 makes good sense, both in terms of job creation and transportation efficiency," said Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter. "Funneling traffic from four lanes to two lanes in this short section creates a real safety risk that needs to be eliminated."
State Rep. Frank Henderson, one of the Idaho Legislature's key proponents of the project, said he was pleased with the bid opening.
"This project is a very important investment in public safety," he said, "I'm pleased the Governor helped expedite the award of stimulus money so this project could begin next summer."
The segment of U.S. 95 is one of seven additional shovel-ready highway projects that were approved by the Idaho Transportation Board at its August meeting using stimulus savings. More than $50 million in bid savings were realized on the first eight highway stimulus projects, which were advertised earlier this year.
The two-mile long project includes significant safety improvements to U.S. 95, according to transportation board member Jim Coleman, who represents Idaho's five northern counties.
"With the help of Governor Otter and Representative Henderson and other local legislators, this project has become a reality," Coleman said. "The project is also a great economic stimulus for northern Idaho in these difficult times. In addition, the positive effect on traffic, safety and the economy will be broad and long lasting."
The project is estimated to create or sustain 108 jobs.
Eight contractors bid on the project that was initially estimated to cost almost $16 million. The low bid by Interstate Concrete and Asphalt was $6 million. Competition among bidders and stable prices for construction materials are credited for the low bids.
---
Media note (not for dissemination): Video clips and photographs of the U.S. 95, Wyoming Avenue to Idaho 53 Junction project are available at the Idaho Transportation Department's FTP site.
To access the video or photos, please go to the willowing Web site: ftp://ftp1.idaho.gov
Log on with the user name itdcommu and use the password W39gy7D2. For those who do not have the FTP software, the video and photos can be retrieved from http://itd.idaho.gov/news