1/8/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Jan. 8-15
BOISE - The following projects are part of the GARVEE Transportation Program in southwest Idaho, which uses funds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite highway projects.
BOISE - Interstate
84, Orchard Street Interchange
Work continues on a project to reconstruct the Orchard Street Interchange
in Boise.
The speed limit on I-84 is 55 mph and shoulders are restricted in the
project area. The speed limit on surrounding roadways (Orchard Street, Wright
Street, Victory Road) is 25 mph. ITD advises motorists to be cautious of trucks
and equipment.
Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2010.
McAlvain Group of Companies Inc. is the contractor for this $15.1
million project.
BOISE - Interstate 84, Vista Avenue Interchange Reconstruction*
Work is under way to rebuild the Vista Avenue Interchange to reduce
congestion and accommodate future I-84 lanes.
Motorists should watch for intermittent lane closures and minor delays
near the westbound off-ramp and eastbound on-ramp during overnight work Sunday
through Tuesday (Jan. 10-12). Lanes will re-open at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning
(Jan. 13).
The off- and on-ramps will be shifted slightly on Wednesday morning.
This work is weather dependent.
The speed limit on I-84 is 55 mph. Watch for trucks entering and exiting
the construction zone.
Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2010.
Central Paving of Boise is the contractor on this $17.8 million project.
* Design for the project was funded by GARVEE, but
project construction is funded through the federal stimulus program, created to
generate jobs and help boost Idaho's economy while upgrading our foundation for
future economic growth.
BOISE - Interstate 84, Cole Road to Broadway Avenue widening
ITD is rebuilding and widening east- and westbound I-84 between the Cole and Broadway interchanges in Boise. When complete, the interstate will have four lanes in each direction.
The speed limit is 55 mph in the project area on I-84.
This project is expected to be complete in summer 2011.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc. of Boise is the prime contractor for the $35.9 million project.
WEST TREASURE VALLEY - Interstate 84, Garrity to Meridian widening
ITD has added a third east- and westbound lane to I-84 between Nampa and
Meridian.
Between Black Cat and Ten Mile roads, the third lane will remain closed
until spring 2010 during work on the Ten Mile Interchange.
The I-84 speed limit is 55 mph during construction.
MERIDIAN - Interstate 84, Ten Mile Interchange construction
Work continues on a project to replace the current Ten Mile Overpass
with an interchange with on- and off-ramps. This project includes widening Ten
Mile Road and constructing two undercrossings for local roads north and south
of I-84.
Beginning Tuesday (Jan. 12), crews will set girders for a future
undercrossing at Tasa Drive.
Trucks carrying the girders will arrive between 8 a.m. and 5
p.m. Tuesday. Motorists on Tasa Drive and Ten Mile Road should expect 5-minute
delays while each truck is backed into position.
Crews will set four girders on the bridge between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday (Jan. 13-14). Traffic will be stopped on Tasa Drive
while each girder is swung into position, and motorists should expect delays of
10 minutes.
This work is weather dependent.
Ten Mile Road is closed between Franklin and Overland roads until summer
2011.
Motorists should watch for trucks traveling in the area.
Idaho Sand & Gravel of Nampa is the contractor on this $33.8 million
project.
In addition, this GARVEE project
will begin soon:
NAMPA - Interstate 84, Garrity Interchange Bridge reconstruction
Construction on the I-84 Garrity Interchange improvement project is anticipated to begin Sunday, (Jan. 10).
Crews will begin placing traffic barrels for the project and installing advanced warning signs on Sunday night. Trucks and heavy equipment will begin working in the area on Monday (Jan. 11).
Later this month, lane restrictions are anticipated to begin on Garrity Boulevard. At least one lane in each direction will be open on Garrity during daytime hours. Drivers can expect two lanes open in one direction and one lane open in the opposite direction during some of the construction. Many times, two lanes will be open in each direction. The speed limit will be lowered to 35 mph on Garrity and 55 mph on I-84 through the construction zones.
The project will remove two bridges on I-84 at the Garrity Interchange and replace them with a single bridge that will accommodate three lanes in each direction on the interstate. Work also includes reconstructing the interstate about a mile east of the interchange to tie into the widening of I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges, and removing the bridge piers in the roadway at Garrity Boulevard.
This project is part of ITD's plans to improve I-84 between the Franklin and
Garrity interchanges in Nampa. The completed improvements will include three
lanes in each direction from the Franklin to Garrity interchanges, and four lanes
in each direction from the Garrity to Meridian interchanges.
The project will be constructed in three stages:
Stage 1 - Build the median section of the bridge between the
existing bridges. Traffic will remain on existing bridges, with two lanes open
in each direction.
Stage 2 - Remove existing westbound bridge and build new westbound portion of
bridge. Westbound traffic will be moved onto the new median section. Two lanes
will remain open in each direction.
Stage 3 - Remove existing eastbound bridge and build new eastbound portion of
bridge. Westbound traffic will be shifted onto the new westbound portion of the
bridge, and eastbound traffic onto the median section.
Completion - By summer 2011, three lanes will be open in each direction over
the bridge, eventually connecting with a fourth lane in each direction east of
the interchange.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc. of Boise is the contractor of the $15 million
project.
Following is an update on non-GARVEE state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
GEM COUNTY
EMMETT - Bishop Road Bridge project for
Farmers Co-op Canal
A project to build a
detour over the Farmers Co-op Canal on the east side of the existing bridge off
Idaho 52 began Jan. 5. A new bridge
will then be constructed, with a new intersection at Bishop Road and Bishop and
Bill Burns Road next to the canal.
The project is south of the intersection of Dewey and Bishop roads.
The traffic control during this project may include flaggers and intermittent
minor delays, but at least one lane of traffic will be maintained at all times
for drivers to travel through the work zone.
Once work has begun, the contractor must be done with work over the canal by
March 15, 2010, and is expected to be completely finished - except grass re-seeding
that fall - by early May.
Idaho Sand & Gravel of Nampa is the contractor on the $622,000 project. Gem
County is the local sponsor, also participating financially in the project.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
WEISER - Snake River Bridge replacement
The Snake River Bridge on the U.S. 95 Spur in Weiser is being replaced with a
wider structure. The bridge connects Annex, Ore., to Weiser.
Another concrete pour remains, as well as asphalt paving work that requires warmer temperatures, so the new bridge will not be open to two-way traffic until spring.
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 will be reconstructed.
New curb, gutter and sidewalks are being reconstructed on the Idaho side of the
bridge.
The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph on the Oregon side of the bridge.
Sletten Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $10 million project.
The project may extend into spring 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.