5/21/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Construction to close U.S. 20 business loop east of St. Anthony Sunday evening (May 23)
RIGBY ‑ Construction will temporarily close the east end of the U.S. 20 business loop east of St. Anthony Sunday evening (May 23), the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced.
Crews will close the business loop at its intersection with U.S. 20 (2600 East in Fremont County) at 7 p.m. for resurfacing. The loop will reopen Monday afternoon (May 24).
The project also will require closure of the right lane of westbound U.S. 20 (Ashton to St. Anthony) at the intersection, reducing westbound travel to a single lane.
During the closure, traffic north of U.S. 20 will access the route via the interchange in St. Anthony (Exit 345). Other traffic also will access the St. Anthony area via this interchange.
Crews are resurfacing the U.S. 20 business loop in St. Anthony and to the east. The project includes removal of pavement from the existing surface, placing a new asphalt layer, adding a reinforcing paving fabric and then overlaying the fabric with a second layer of asphalt plant mix. The contractor will seal coat the new pavement later.
The project will improve safety and travel conditions for motorists, while extending the life of the road surface.
Work continues 24 hours per day on weekdays, with milling at night and paving during the day. St. Anthony city officials authorized nighttime work to speed the operation. The project is scheduled for completion Friday (May 28).
Crews will resurface U.S. 20 and Idaho 47 on Main Street in Ashton, following the same process as in St. Anthony. The Ashton work is scheduled for completion in late June.
During construction, travel is reduced to one lane; flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. The speed limit is reduced to 35 miles per hour. Motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.
Drivers should watch for construction workers, equipment, merging traffic and uneven surfaces and obey all traffic signs.
The transportation department awarded the $1.95 million contract to Knife River Corp.'s southern Idaho division based in Boise.
ITD and the Idaho State Police caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system. Information is updated as conditions change.