9/2/2005
Construction update for south-central Idaho Sept. 2-9
SHOSHONE - Here is the construction update for south-central Idaho for Sept. 2-9:
U.S. 93 Twin Falls Alternate Route Stage 1: Utility trenching and blasting continue in the construction corridor from Fillmore Street to Grandview Drive. Motorists should anticipate 10-15 minute delays while flaggers direct one-way traffic through the work zone. The use of alternate routes is encouraged.
NOTE: Work on the roadway will be suspended through Monday (Sept. 5) to accommodate county fair and holiday traffic.
Idaho 77, Declo to Albion: This road reconstruction project begins five miles south of Declo and continues to Albion (mileposts 18-23). A width restriction of 12 feet is in effect. Vehicles exceeding that width will be required to detour around the work areas using Idaho 81 from Declo to Malta, and then Idaho 77 from Malta to Albion. Delays of up to 10 minutes are possible. The speed limit is 35 mph and traffic is reduced to one lane. This project, expected to be complete in October, will create a smoother and safer road surface.
Idaho 77, City of Rocks Backcountry Byway: This reconstruction project from Idaho 77 to Almo (7.5 miles east of Malta) involves a detour, using 2975 South Road, 750 East Road and 2800 South Road. Delays of 15 minutes are expected. Work is scheduled for completion by the end of September.
Airport Road south of Twin Falls: The first stage of a project to replace the Highline Canal Bridge on Airport Road from 3500 North to the Twin Falls Airport is under way. Preliminary work consists of building an embankment on the road shoulder for the new bridge alignment. Work on the bridge will begin after irrigation water is turned off this fall. Motorists should expect intermittent delays with brief lane closures. This project is in partnership with the Twin Falls Highway District. Stage 1 of this $2 million project is scheduled to be complete by June 2006. Idaho Sand & Gravel of Jerome is the project contractor.
U.S. 93 Improvement Project: Lanes will be reduced on U.S. 93 from the Perrine Bridge to the Interstate 84 junction (mileposts 50-53) beginning Tuesday (Sept. 6) for a resurfacing project. Traffic will be reduced from four lanes to two, with one lane open in each direction. Delays of 10-15 minutes can be expected. The speed limit will be reduced from 60 to 50 mph. Vehicles are limited to a maximum width of 16 feet through the work zone.
Crews will work on an accelerated schedule of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week to minimize impacts on traffic. Left turns onto and off of Golf Course Road and Devils Corral Road (near milepost 51) will be prohibited, although right turns will be permitted. Motorists will have U-turn capabilities approximately two miles north of Golf Course Road. The $1.9 million project, expected to be completed by Sept. 17, will create a safer, smoother road surface. Western Construction, Inc. of Boise is the project contractor.
Motorists are reminded to slow down in the construction areas. Rear-end collisions account for most work zone crashes.
Bridge Repairs: Crews are repairing bridge joints at various locations in south-central Idaho, including:
I-84: Canal overpass (milepost 214), six miles east of Burley
I-86: Salt Lake Interchange, crews will repair the westbound lanes of the interchange
At each project, lanes are reduced and minimal delays are expected. Vehicles are limited to a width of 12 feet through the work zones. Both projects are scheduled for completion by Friday (Sept. 9).