4/8/2010
ITD plans 38 highway construction projects in eastern Idaho
RIGBY ‑ The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) plans 38 highway construction projects in eastern Idaho this construction season.
These projects will enhance and preserve the state highway system in nine counties.
Bonneville County
Idaho Falls to Ririe ‑ Crews are reconstructing a 10‑mile stretch of U.S. 26 between Idaho Falls and Ririe. The project will replace the existing two‑lane highway with four lanes and will add center‑ and right‑turn lanes at county road intersections. Construction is from Beaches Corner (junction of U.S. 26 and Idaho 43) to the intersection of the Ririe business loop (115 East). This $13.2 million project began in January, with installation of underground pipe, ditches and canal bridges to improve irrigation crossings. The bulk of the reconstruction is scheduled for completion by Thanksgiving 2010.
Idaho Falls to Osgood ‑ Crews will resurface an eight‑mile stretch of Interstate 15 between Idaho Falls and Osgood. Savings from federal stimulus projects last year will pay the $2.2 million cost of the project. This is one of eight stimulus‑funded projects in eastern Idaho this year, with work to be completed this spring.
Idaho Falls to Butte County ‑ Crews will resurface an 18‑mile stretch of U.S. 20 from Cinder Butte Road in Idaho Falls to the Bonneville‑Butte county line this summer.
Idaho Falls to Beaches Corner ‑ Crews will install pavement markings on U.S. 26 between Woodruff Avenue and Beaches Corner (junction of U.S. 26 and Idaho 43) northeast of Idaho Falls.
Idaho Falls Signs ‑ Crews will replace some overhead signs on I‑15 and U.S. 20 in Idaho Falls this summer.
Old Butte Road Traffic Signal ‑ Crews will install a traffic signal at the intersection of Old Butte Road (26th West) and U.S. 20 in Idaho Falls this summer.
Idaho Falls Streets ‑ Crews will seal coat and apply pavement markings on various arterial and collector roads in Idaho Falls this summer. ITD is administering this stimulus‑funded project in cooperation with the city, the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) in Boise, and the contractor using federal funds.
Snow Fences West of Idaho Falls ‑ Crews will install snow fences along U.S. 20 west of Idaho Falls this summer or fall.
Eagle Rock Canal Bridge ‑ Crews will resurface the Eagle Rock Canal Bridge east of the intersection of U.S. 26 and the Ririe business loop on U.S. 26 this summer or fall.
Clark Hill Rest Area ‑ Crews will install new guardrail at the Clark Hill Rest Area on U.S. 26 east of Ririe this summer.
South Fork Snake River Bridge ‑ Crews will replace bridge rail on and seal the deck of the South Fork Snake River Bridge on U.S. 26 west of Swan Valley this summer.
Rainey Creek Bridge ‑ Crews will replace the Rainey Creek Bridge on Idaho 31 in Swan Valley this fall and winter.
Butte County
Knighton Lane Bridge ‑ Crews are replacing the Knighton Lane Bridge that spans the Big Lost River two miles northeast of Moore. ITD plans to complete the bridge, including its approaches, by mid‑August.
Clark County
Rest Area in Dubois ‑ Crews will reconstruct the I‑15 rest area in Dubois, upgrading it for year‑round operation. In the past, ITD closed the rest area during winter months to prevent freezing inside. Considered a gateway facility, the rest area will include a visitor's center, the fourth such center in the state. Reconstruction will take place this summer.
Main Street in Dubois ‑ Crews will resurface and improve drainage along Main Street in Dubois, between Idaho 22 and Riverside Boulevard, this summer. ITD is administering this stimulus project in cooperation with the city, the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) and the contractor using federal funds.
Idaho 33 in Mud Lake and Terreton ‑ Crews will seal‑ and fog‑coat an eight‑mile stretch of Idaho 33 from its junction with Idaho 28 through Mud Lake and Terreton to beyond Bott Road.
Pleasant Valley ‑ Crews will replace guardrail on I‑15 from Pleasant Valley eight miles south of the Montana state line to the Humphrey Interchange about two miles north of Pleasant Valley. Replacing existing guardrail reduces snowdrift problems caused by the old guardrail. Work is scheduled to take place in late summer.
Custer County
East Darlington Bridge ‑ Crews are replacing the East Darlington Bridge that spans the Big Lost River a mile east of Darlington on U.S. 93. ITD plans to complete this bridge, including its approaches, by early June.
Trail Creek Road ‑ Crews will resurface a three‑mile stretch of Trail Creek Road from milepost 38 to 41 in Custer County. It is being funded with $460,000 of federal stimulus money.
Fremont County
St. Anthony City Streets ‑ Crews will resurface the U.S. 20 business loop in and northeast of St. Anthony this spring. This project will include milling the existing surface, leveling the base with a layer of asphalt plant mix, placing a reinforcing paving fabric and then overlaying the fabric with a second layer of asphalt plant mix. Crews also will seal‑coat the new pavement.
St. Anthony Main Street ‑ Crews will improve half a mile of Main Street in St. Anthony between Bridge Street and 6th East this spring. This project will include upgrading drainage, curb, gutter, sidewalk, ramps, manholes and valves. ITD is administering this stimulus project in conjunction with LHTAC.
Ashton City Streets ‑ Crews will resurface U.S. 20 and Idaho 47 on Main Street in Ashton this spring, following the same process as in the St. Anthony city streets project above.
Madison‑Fremont County Line to South St. Anthony (Exit 344) ‑ Crews will resurface a 3.3‑mile stretch of northbound U.S. 20 between the Madison‑Fremont county line and south St. Anthony, Exit 344. Work will take place this spring.
U.S. 20 in Island Park ‑ Crews will seal‑ and fog‑coat a 17‑mile stretch of U.S. 20 from south of Green Canyon Road to past Island Park Lodge this summer.
Henry's Lake Flat Passing Lanes ‑ Crews will seal‑ and fog‑coat new passing lanes on northbound U.S. 20 between Island Park Lodge and Red Rock Road and on southbound U.S. 20 between the Henry's Fork Outlet Bridge and the junction of Idaho 87. The contractor will seal‑coat the lanes of this stimulus‑funded project this summer.
Teton Highway ‑ Crews will seal-coat a 5.3‑mile stretch of Teton Highway in and south of St. Anthony this summer. ITD is administering this stimulus project in conjunction with LHTAC.
Ashton Hill to Island Park ‑ Between the top of Ashton Hill and Island Park on U.S. 20, crews will expose pavement to sunlight by trimming trees along stretches of the highway. This is to reduce ice buildup in shady areas during the winter. Trimming will take place this summer and fall.
Jefferson County
Menan‑Lorenzo Interchange ‑ Crews are constructing the Menan‑Lorenzo Interchange (overpass) on U.S. 20 north of Rigby. Work started March 15, with the digging of a large trench for a 550‑foot‑long concrete culvert to carry water from the Island Canal at Lorenzo. Once the culvert is complete, there will be roughly a four‑week break in construction activities, with the majority of work resuming in June. The project will take two construction seasons and be finished in late August 2011 at a cost of $10 to $15 million.
Butte Market Lake Canal Bridge ‑ Crews will resurface the Butte Market Lake Canal Bridge south of the Roberts exit (Exit 135) on the northbound lanes of I‑15 this summer.
Rigby High School to Yellowstone Highway ‑ Crews will seal coat and apply pavement markings to Idaho 48 between Rigby High School and Yellowstone Highway, finishing a major reconstruction project that began last year. The project included widening the highway to three lanes, adding a right‑turn bay to the high school entrance, including a bike lane on both sides of the street and installing curb, gutter and sidewalk along the busy route in Rigby. Work on this stimulus‑funded project will be completed this summer.
Idaho 48 Overpass in Rigby ‑ Crews will resurface the Idaho 48 Overpass of U.S. 20 in Rigby this summer.
Burgess Canal Bridge (U.S. 20) ‑ Crews will resurface the Burgess Canal Bridge on U.S. 20 this summer or fall. The bridge is approximately one‑quarter of a mile north of the south Rigby interchange, Exit 320, of U.S. 20 in Rigby.
Burgess Canal Bridge (U.S. 20 business loop) ‑ Crews will resurface the Burgess Canal Bridge on the U.S. 20 business loop this summer or fall. The bridge is approximately one‑fifth of a mile northwest of the south Rigby interchange, Exit 320, of U.S. 20 on the business loop in Rigby.
Lemhi County
Salmon River Bridge in Salmon ‑ Crews will upgrade the Salmon River Bridge on U.S. 93 in Salmon, resurfacing the deck, replacing the sidewalk and installing railing on the south side of the bridge, including a pedestrian rail between the sidewalk and the bridge deck and a six‑foot‑high railing on the edge of the bridge. Work will take place this summer.
Madison County
Rexburg to Sugar City ‑ Crews will resurface a four‑mile stretch of Idaho 33 between 2nd East in Rexburg and the intersection of 7th East and Idaho 33 north of Sugar City. This spring, the project will include milling the existing surface, leveling the base with a layer of asphalt plant mix, placing a reinforcing paving fabric and then overlaying the fabric with a second layer of asphalt plant mix.
Teton County
Pack Saddle Road ‑ Crews will finish reconstructing a 1.7‑mile stretch of Pack Saddle Road near Idaho 33, widening it by six feet. ITD is administering the project for Teton County.
Trail Creek Bridges and Moose Creek Bridge ‑ Crews will replace two Trail Creek Bridges and one Moose Creek Bridge on Idaho 33 in Teton Valley this summer and fall.
Slope Stabilization
Crews also will remove loose rock from and install wire retaining mesh on slopes along highways in eastern Idaho, especially U.S. 93 north of Salmon, this construction season.
Caution Advised
ITD urges motorists to drive with caution near construction zones. Orange highway signs with black letters or symbols and orange flags indicate construction activity, even if the work cannot be readily observed.
Drivers should anticipate merging traffic, construction workers and equipment, flaggers, pilot cars and uneven surfaces.
The Idaho State Police reminds motorists that traffic violations in work zones will be fined at double the rate of violations elsewhere.
For information on construction along state highways, visit the Idaho Traveler Services Web site at 511.idaho.gov, or dial 5‑1‑1 from phones within Idaho. Outside the state, dial toll‑free (888) 432‑7623. Reports are updated as road conditions change.