5/27/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Additional flaggers help traffic at Garrity after big Idaho Center events - Eagles, Carrie Underwood next
BOISE - The Idaho Transportation Department, Nampa Police Department and Idaho Center are combining efforts at the I-84 Garrity Interchange to help move traffic safely through the construction area and home following major events. The additional flaggers at Garrity will be used to expedite traffic following the Eagles concert on Sunday (May 30) and Carrie Underwood on Tuesday night (June 1).
Flaggers will direct traffic through the construction area between on- and off-ramps at the interchange following Idaho Center events with expected attendance of 6,000 people or more. ITD began the new flagging operation with the Sugarland concert May 6.
"With flaggers at the intersections, traffic should flow through the construction zone more quickly," said Gary McKinney, ITD project manager. "We will continue to evaluate and adjust the flagging operation to reduce traffic problems."
Changing traffic configurations and conditions at the Garrity Interchange due to construction of the new interstate bridge, and increased attendance for the spring and summer events add to the traffic congestion near the interchange.
"We are excited about the new interchange at Garrity. It's definitely going to make it easier to attend events at the Idaho Center," said Craig Baltzer, the center's general manager. "We are working with ITD, the city of Nampa, and Nampa Police Department to get people in and out as quickly as possible."
The I-84 Garrity Interchange project will replace two bridges on I-84 at the Garrity Interchange with a single bridge. Work includes reconstructing the interstate about a mile east of the interchange to tie into the widening of I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. It includes also removing the bridge piers in the roadway at Garrity Boulevard.
The project is expected to be completed by summer 2011, with three lanes open in each direction over the bridge, and eventually connecting with a fourth lane in each direction east of the interchange.