8/31/2005
Construction update for eastern Idaho for Aug. 30-Sept. 5
RIGBY - Construction will be suspended on all state highway projects through the Labor Day weekend and resume Tuesday (Sept. 6), the Idaho Transportation Department announced. Following is the eastern Idaho highway construction update for Aug. 31-Sept. 5:
Sunnyside I-15 Interchange to I-15B: Demolition of the Bellin overpass north of the new Sunnyside/Interstate 15 Interchange is nearly complete. Deck forms are being placed on the new Snake River Bridge. Traffic on I-15 south of Idaho Falls continues to be one lane in each direction between mileposts 115 and 117. The speed limit is 55 mph from milepost 115 to 119. Idaho Construction of Kimberly is the contractor for the $23 million project that is scheduled for completion by fall 2006.
I-15, Hamer to Dubois, Northbound: The project is complete except for the addition of rumble strips between mileposts 150 and 168. Motorists should watch for flaggers as work on the rumble strips proceeds. Western Construction of Boise is the contractor on the $5.2 million project.
U.S. 20, Hitt and St. Leon interchanges: Excavation and grading continues on the on- and off-ramps and the connector roads for the two new interchanges north of Idaho Falls. Traffic remains limited to one lane in both directions using the southbound lanes. The speed limit is 55 mph between mileposts 311 and 313. Western Construction of Boise is building the $19 million project that is scheduled for completion by the end of October. Seal coating will be done next year.
Idaho 33, Fremont County Line to Ashton: Construction is complete, but the contractor will place rumble strips along a four-mile stretch in the Lamont area adjacent to the Ashton-to-Tetonia Rails-to-Trails pathway. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.
Idaho 33, Canyon Creek Bridge: An eight-hour nighttime closure is planned the second week of September while the middle section of the new bridge deck is placed at Canyon Creek east of Newdale. The date and times will be announced in advance. The speed limit is 45 mph. Sletten Construction of Great Falls, Mont., is scheduled to complete the $4.3 million project this fall.
Idaho 33, Teton East and West: Zollinger Construction of Rexburg has completed the paving on Idaho 33 from Sugar City to Newdale and will work on approaches for another two weeks. Flaggers will move traffic through the work zones as the approach work proceeds.
Idaho 33, Intersection of U.S. 20 and 12th West near Rexburg: H-K Contractors is setting up traffic control this week and will begin work on Tuesday (Sept. 6) to widen Idaho 33 to five lanes from the U.S. 20 overpass to the 12th West intersection. A traffic signal and turn lanes will be added. The project includes curb, gutter and minor alignment changes. The $576,000 project will be completed this fall.
Idaho 87, Henrys Lake fish passages: Cannon Builders will pave detour roads this week on Idaho 87 at Howard and Targhee creeks in preparation for the replacement of culverts and building a new bridge. Traffic will be diverted onto detour roads Tuesday (Sept. 6). The $1.82 million project is scheduled for completion in November.