1/29/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Jan. 29-Feb. 5
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 outside northbound lane will be
closed on Orchard Street from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday (Feb. 3) while
crews work on the bridge that spans I-84.
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.
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.
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.
* 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 outside westbound lane between the
Vista and Orchard interchanges on I-84 will be closed from 10 p.m. Sunday (Jan.
31) until 5 a.m. Monday (Feb. 1). Crews will stripe the pavement, place
guardrail and repair the asphalt.
This project is expected to be complete
in summer 2011.
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.
The
outside westbound lane on I-84 will be closed from 10 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 31) to
5 a.m. Monday (Feb. 1). Crews are adding a work-zone entrance for construction
vehicles.
Ten Mile
Road is closed between Franklin and Overland roads until summer 2011.
Construction is expected to be complete
in summer 2011.
NAMPA
- Interstate 84, Garrity Interchange Bridge reconstruction
Construction on the I-84 Garrity
Interchange improvement project is under way. 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.
Current
Conditions
Garrity Boulevard
Garrity Boulevard is restricted to one
lane in each direction while crews use the outside lanes to install guardrails
and temporary shoring on the bridge abutments. This stage could last until
summer.
Occasionally a different lane
configuration will be needed for limited-duration, overnight work.
Interstate 84, Franklin IC to Robinson
Rd Overpass
I-84 between Franklin and Robinson is
reduced to one lane in each direction overnight while crews work on temporary
widening along the shoulders. The overnight lane restrictions will continue
until work is completed.
Closures are not expected on Friday and
Saturday nights. Both lanes are open for the morning commute and during the
day.
Crews are also digging two ponds and
clearing in the median of I-84.
The speed limit
is lowered to 35 mph on Garrity and 55 mph on I-84 through the construction
zones.
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.
CANYON
COUNTY
CALDWELL - Franklin Rd. & 21st Ave. reconstruction
Traffic on Franklin Road between 21st
Avenue and Chicago Street in Caldwell will be detoured starting Monday (Feb.
1). The detour will be in place through this summer, when work at the
intersection concludes. Motorists will be detoured to 21st and Chicago.
Also, Commercial Way between Specht
Avenue and Franklin is closed to through traffic.
Commercial Way will be realigned so
that it joins the intersection of Franklin and 21st. Crews will install a new
traffic signal at this location. The Franklin-21st Avenue intersection is about
one-quarter mile west of the newly-reconstructed Franklin Road Interchange
(Exit 29).
The roadway reconstruction project will
improve sight distance and safety, and the road will align to match up with the
new five-lane roadway on 21st Avenue. The project also includes excavation, new
asphalt pavement, curb and gutter, storm sewer, sidewalk, lighting, and
installation of a 35-foot concrete bridge over the Notus Canal.
The first phase of this project, about
a quarter-mile section of 21st Avenue, was rebuilt last summer. The three-lane
roadway was widened to five lanes.
Work on this phase is anticipated to be
complete in September.
Central Paving Co. of Boise is the
contractor on this $1.66 million project. Central Paving also was the
contractor on the work last summer.
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 is under way.
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.
Currently the old bridge has been
removed, and the contractor is preparing a pre-stressed concrete slab
structure. Overall, the project is progressing as scheduled.
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.
A concrete closure pour is
planned for February, and the contractor is continuing to work on the
parapet/barrier. Asphalt paving work also remains 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 will 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.