2/18/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Controlled burn on U.S. 26 east of Idaho Falls planned Friday (Feb. 19)
RIGBY ‑ The Idaho Falls Fire Department and the Jefferson Central Fire District will conduct a controlled burn of a vacant house on U.S. 26 east of Idaho Falls Friday (Feb. 19) in a training exercise, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced.
The burn had been scheduled for last week, but complications involving items not yet removed from the premises postponed the activity.
The house is being removed to enable realignment of a bend in the federal route at that location. It is part of reconstructing a 10‑mile stretch of the highway between Beaches Corner and the intersection of the Ririe business loop from two to four lanes.
The house borders the south side of the highway, 11 miles northeast of downtown Idaho Falls, west of milepost 344 on U.S. 26 (7734 East Ririe Highway). Motorists should slow down and proceed cautiously when passing the burn site. ITD purchased the house last year.
Training will consist of live fires in the vacant home for exercises conducted by separate crews, according to Division Chief Dorin Howard of the Idaho Falls Fire Department. Plans call for controlled burns from approximately 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with the final burn being the full structure.
Reconstruction of the highway got under way Jan. 25, with crews installing underground pipes. Pipe replacement is progressing as weather permits.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane at various locations to accommodate bridge and pipe‑crossing installations. Motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph through the construction zones.
A width restriction of 12 feet will be in force for commercial vehicles. Work on the project takes place weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Major reconstruction is scheduled to start late this month or early in March, if weather cooperates. Crews will build a temporary roadway to accommodate two‑way traffic while each side of the highway is reconstructed. At that point, work will take place Mondays through Saturdays from dawn to dusk.
The project will be constructed in two‑mile sections, starting near Ririe. Completion is expected by Thanksgiving, with seal coating and striping to be added in 2011.
The transportation department awarded the $13.2 million contract to Knife River Corporation's southern Idaho division based in Boise.
Motorists should obey all traffic signs and watch for construction workers, equipment, merging traffic and uneven surfaces.
Reconstruction of U.S. 26 between Idaho Falls and Ririe aims to improve traffic safety and flow by increasing the highway's capacity and by adding turn lanes at major county intersections.
For further information on the controlled burn, contact Division Chief Howard at 612‑8495.
For current information on road conditions of Idaho highways, visit the Idaho Traveler Services Web site at 511.idaho.gov or dial 5‑1‑1 from phones within the state. Outside Idaho, dial toll‑free (888) 432‑7623. Information is updated as conditions change.