4/21/2010
Initial construction on Menan-Lorenzo Interchange complete
RIGBY ‑ Initial construction on the Menan‑Lorenzo Interchange (overpass) on U.S. 20 north of Rigby is complete, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The speed limit will be restored to 65 mph in the construction zone starting Thursday (April 22).
Crews, Wednesday afternoon, finished installing a 550‑foot‑long concrete culvert under U.S. 20 to carry the Island Canal flow at Lorenzo. Installation was completed 10 days earlier than scheduled.
The county roads at 700 North on both sides of U.S. 20 will remain closed. Motorists must use 600 North, 605 North, and the Menan‑Lorenzo Highway intersection to access areas east and west of the highway.
Western Construction Inc. of Boise was the contractor for the $378,000 culvert installation contract. Oldcastle Precast Inc. of Idaho Falls manufactured the box culvert at a cost of $639,000.
The transportation department is advertising for bids to construct the new overpass and interchange. Bids will be opened May 11. Construction will resume in mid- to late June.
The project will elevate U.S. 20 over the Menan‑Lorenzo Highway and will realign and improve the Menan‑Lorenzo Highway south of its existing location.
When construction begins, the contractor will permanently close all direct accesses to U.S. 20 between Rigby and the Snake River, including 600 North, 605 North, 700 North, Labelle exit, old Menan‑Lorenzo Highway exit and Blue Heron Inn exit. Motorists will be required to access areas east and west of U.S. 20 via the north Rigby interchange and the Menan‑Lorenzo interchange when it is complete.
Eliminating direct access onto busy state highways improves safety for through and local traffic. ITD estimates construction will be complete in August 2011, at a cost of $10 - $15 million.
During construction, the Lorenzo Boat Ramp exit and the Archer exit (River Bridge Road) north of the river will remain open, but drivers will not be able to turn south onto U.S. 20 from the River Bridge Road intersection, which runs east into 6800 South in Madison County.
The new interchange will include north and south entrances and exits, improving access for U.S. 20 and the Menan‑Lorenzo Highway.
For information about construction projects on Idaho highways, visit 511.idaho.gov or call 5‑1‑1 from phones within the state. Outside Idaho, dial toll‑free (888) 432‑7623. ITD and the Idaho State Police urge motorists to drive with caution through highway work zones and remind drivers that enhanced fines apply for violations in those areas.