Idaho

Transportation Department

6/25/2010

Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov

Southwest Idaho highway construction report for June 25-July 2

BOISE - The following projects are part of the GARVEE Transportation Program in southwest Idaho, which uses funds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite highway projects.

 

BOISE - Interstate 84, Vista Avenue Interchange Reconstruction*

Work is under way to rebuild the Vista Avenue Interchange to reduce congestion and accommodate future I-84 lanes.

 

The speed limit on I-84 is 55 mph and shoulders are restricted in the project area. The speed limit on Vista Avenue is 25 mph. ITD advises motorists to be cautious of trucks and equipment.

 

Construction on the $17.8 million project is expected to be complete in late summer 2010.

 

* Design for the project was funded by GARVEE, but project construction is funded through the federal stimulus program, created to generate jobs and help boost Idaho's economy while upgrading our foundation for future economic growth.

 

BOISE - Interstate 84, Cole Road to Broadway Avenue widening

ITD is rebuilding and widening east- and westbound I-84 between the Cole and Broadway interchanges in Boise. When complete, the interstate will have four lanes in each direction.

 

Between the Cole and Broadway interchanges, one east- and westbound lane will continue to have intermittent lane closures overnight (10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on week nights, and 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends) through June 30.

 

Crews will pour concrete in the median during the closures.

 

This $35.9 million project is expected to be complete in summer 2011.

 

MERIDIAN - Interstate 84, Ten Mile Interchange construction

Work continues on a project to construct a new interchange with on- and off-ramps at Ten Mile Road.

 

Weather permitting, ITD will open a third lane on I-84 between Ten Mile and Black Cat roads over the weekend. The westbound lane will be opened on Saturday (June 26) and the eastbound lane will be opened by Monday morning (June 28).

 

I-84 will be reduced to one lane the nights of June 25-27 while crews re-stripe I-84 from 10 p.m. each night to 7 a.m. the following morning and 5 a.m. on Monday morning (June 28).

 

I-84 between Ten Mile and Black Cat roads will be reduced to two lanes in early 2011 for two weeks while the bridge falsework is removed and again for a few months while crews pave I-84 near the Ten Mile bridge.

 

Crews will continue curb, gutter and sidewalk work on Tasa Drive through the weekend (June 25-27). Work will begin at 8 a.m. each day and be complete by 5 p.m. Traffic will continue to use the temporary gravel road through the weekend.

 

A paving schedule for Tasa Drive will be released early next week.

 

Ten Mile Road is closed between Franklin and Overland roads during construction.

 

The $33.8 million project is expected to be complete in summer 2011.

 

NAMPA - Interstate 84, Garrity Interchange Bridge reconstruction

Construction on the I-84 Garrity Interchange improvement project continues. The project will replace two bridges on I-84 at the Garrity Interchange with a single bridge that will accommodate three lanes in each direction on the interstate.

 

Work also 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, and removing the bridge piers in the roadway at Garrity Boulevard.

 

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the God & Country rally at the Idaho Center Wednesday night (June 30). To accommodate heavy event traffic, the westbound I-84 off-ramp will be closed at Garrity for a few hours that night, starting around 10:15 p.m. when it is dark enough for the fireworks display. Traffic also will be stopped from going north under the bridge. ITD, the city of Nampa, Nampa Police and Idaho State Police are collaborating on the traffic plans.

 

Under normal conditions, two lanes southbound and one lane northbound on Garrity under I-84 will be open by the morning commute and be open during the day. Overnight restrictions are not expected to occur on Friday or Saturday nights. Lane restrictions are expected to continue for the next few weeks until the bridge work is completed.

 

ITD continues flagging around the intersection of the westbound Garrity off-ramp and Garrity Boulevard. The flagging will take place from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Work will be intermittent and should be completed in about two weeks.

 

Flaggers will direct traffic through the construction area. The flagging is needed to allow crews to repair and modify the storm-water drainage system.

 

This project is part of ITD's plans to improve I-84 between the Franklin and Garrity interchanges in Nampa.

 

The completed improvements will include three lanes in each direction from the Franklin to Garrity interchanges, and eventually four lanes in each direction from the Garrity to Meridian interchanges.

 

The project is being constructed in three stages:

 

Currently Under Way

Stage 1 - Build the median section of the bridge between the existing bridges. Traffic will remain on existing bridges, with two lanes open in each direction.

Tentatively starts December 2010

Stage 2 - Remove the existing westbound bridge and build a new westbound portion of bridge. Westbound traffic will be moved onto the new median section. Two lanes will remain open in each direction.

Tentatively starts Spring 2011

Stage 3 - Remove the existing eastbound bridge and build a new eastbound portion of bridge. Westbound traffic will be shifted onto the new westbound portion of the bridge, and eastbound traffic onto the median section.

Completion - By summer 2011, three lanes will be open in each direction over the bridge, eventually connecting with a fourth lane in each direction east of the interchange.

 

Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on the $15 million project.

 

NAMPA - Franklin to 11th interstate widening

The final project in the widening of I-84 to three lanes from Nampa's Franklin Road to Garrity Boulevard is expected to start in the last week of June. Bridge projects at Garrity and at 11th are already under way to accommodate the additional lanes.

 

The project will improve I-84 between the Franklin and Garrity interchanges by widening the interstate to three lanes in each direction and adding an auxiliary lane for eastbound traffic. The auxiliary lane will allow motorists to enter I-84 at Franklin, remain in the lane furthest right, and exit at Garrity - never having to merge with interstate traffic.

 

The project includes also the replacement of the Union Pacific Railroad and Phyllis Canal bridges.

 

Construction is expected to be complete by late spring or early summer 2012. The widening project is one of several interstate improvement projects occurring in an 18-mile stretch of I-84, funded by the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses proceeds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to accelerate highway improvements throughout Idaho.

 

Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the contractor on this $22.2 million project.
 

 

 

Following is an update on non-GARVEE state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.

 

ADA COUNTY

MERIDIAN - Eagle Road resurfacing

The resurfacing project on heavily traveled Eagle Road (Idaho 55) is nearing completion.

 

Last weekend the railroad crossing was replaced. The contractor is planning on returning to mill and repave the permanent transitions to the crossing this weekend (June 25-27). As usual, the work will be performed overnight. The start time on Sunday has been moved up to 7 p.m. To ensure all paving is finished on time. The entire project should be completed except minor change order work and final clean-up items by the end of the month.

 

Crews are working a Sunday-through-Thursday, 8 p.m to 6 a.m., overnight schedule to minimize inconvenience for drivers. Two lanes each way, with turn bays, will be maintained at all other times. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph.

According to the Ada County Highway District (ACHD), the intersection of Eagle and Fairview is the busiest intersection in Ada County and the state. Four intersections on Eagle Road are in ACHD's top eight. This project encompasses three of them. ITD statistics show that only the Flying Wye (134,500) is busier than the 132,500 vehicles the Eagle Road Interchange sees every day.

 

ITD initiated the Eagle Road Arterial Study in 2003. Local municipalities, ACHD, the Community Action Partnership of Southwest Idaho, homeowners associations and ValleyRide were all involved in the initial study. This project is largely a result of those initial meetings.

 

Central Paving Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on the $1.35 million project.

 

ADAMS COUNTY

S. OF COUNCIL - Indian Valley Road repaving

About three miles of Indian Valley Road, south of Council in Adams County, will be resurfaced in a project now under way. The paving work may take several months to complete.

 

Crews are working on full-depth and asphalt repairs. The overlay is expected to begin next week (June 28-July 2), followed by preparations for the seal coat.

 

Traffic impacts have been minimal, with one-way traffic being controlled around the work zone.

 

The 2.8-mile section from the end of pavement to the intersection with West Indian Valley Road will be resurfaced. Improvements include repairing areas of distressed pavement, overlaying a portion of the roadway and applying a seal coat on a portion of the roadway. This will improve the driving surface and extend the life of the road.

 

Traffic is reduced to one lane around work area.

 

Adams County is the local sponsor of the project.

 

The project is located about 10 miles south of Council off of U.S. 95.

 

Knife River Corp. Northwest, of Boise, is the contractor on the $349,000 project.

 

BOISE COUNTY

NORTH OF HORSESHOE BEND HILL SUMMIT - spot repair

Repairs to a slight depression on Idaho 55 on the north side of Horseshoe Bend Hill continue.

 

Crews will shore up an area about 400 feet long near the Horseshoe View Subdivision at milepost 60.4, which is about halfway down from the summit on the Horseshoe Bend side of the hill. The work is expected to be complete in July.

Crews completed paving on the southbound lanes Wednesday (June 23).

 

For the Fourth of July weekend, all four lanes will be open, although speed reductions will remain in effect because of the abrupt edge along the centerline of the road. Traffic control will resume on July 6, with the two northbound lanes restricted.

  

This section of roadway has settled about 18 inches since it was paved in the early 1980s. Crews will grind the pavement off, add about 1,500 cubic yards of road base to restore the road level, re-compact it and pave over the new surface.
 
The damaged area extends across both directions of travel.

 
The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph through the work zone. The road will be reduced to one lane in each direction. ITD will separate the work zone from traffic with concrete guardrail.

This $22,000 project will be done by State of Idaho forces, with assistance from Western Construction for the rotomilling and Idaho Sand & Gravel on the paving. Knife River is contracted to supply the road base material for compaction.

CANYON COUNTY

CALDWELL - Franklin and 21st reconstruction

The reconstruction of the intersection of Franklin and 21st in Caldwell continues.

 

Crews removed the existing striping and performed milling work on the roadway on Wednesday on 21st Avenue. 

 

Work continues to finish parking lot and driveway entrances and sidewalks. A new signal will be installed in mid-July.

 

Commercial Way between Specht and Franklin is closed to through traffic. Franklin is closed while the roadway is reconstructed and realigned to match up with the new five-lane roadway constructed last summer. Motorists are detoured to 21st and Chicago streets. Businesses on Franklin can be accessed via Chicago.

 

The Franklin-21st intersection is about one-quarter mile west of the newly reconstructed Franklin Interchange (Exit 29). The project will improve sight distance and safety on 21st and includes new asphalt pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk and lighting.

 

The first phase of this project, about a quarter-mile section of 21st, was rebuilt last summer. The three-lane roadway was widened to five lanes.

Work on this phase is ahead of schedule and should be complete in July.

Central Paving Co., of Boise, is the contractor on this $1.66 million project. Central Paving also was the contractor on the first phase of the project last summer.

 

GEM COUNTY

EMMETT - Main Street resurfacing

Work is under way on a project to resurface and improve a mile of Main Street in Emmett.

 

This project, from the intersection of Boise Avenue to the intersection of Washington Street (Idaho 52), includes pavement rehabilitation to remove excessive rutting and cracking, with pothole repair and slope work included for proper drainage. Sidewalks also will be replaced, maintaining the current 11-foot width, along with curb and gutter work.

 

Lighting and adjustments to the traffic signal at the intersection of Main and Washington also will be included.

 

WF Construction & Sales LLC, of Meridian, is the contractor on this $475,000 project.

The city of Emmett is the local sponsor for this project.

 

ELMORE COUNTY

SOUTHWEST OF MOUNTAIN HOME - Road to C.J. Strike Reservoir paving

The Dam Cutoff Road carrying recreational traffic to the C.J. Strike Reservoir area in Elmore County is being paved in a project now under way.

 

Crews have clearance for minor blasting and clearing. Paving is expected to begin in July.

 

The road will be closed during construction, which is expected to finish this fall.

 

This route is one way to get to C.J. Strike, but possibly the least-common route. However, the improvements will make it a more desirable route and will shorten the trip from Mountain Home to the dam.

 

The Strike Dam Cutoff Road currently is a two-lane unpaved rural route in rolling terrain. The project begins at the junction of Idaho 67 and extends about one-quarter mile north of the C.J. Strike Dam, from about milepost 100 to 107.

 

The paving is designed to provide a safer route and save on annual maintenance costs.

 

Western Construction Inc. of Boise is the contractor on the $1.86 million project.

 

This project is locally sponsored by the Mountain Home Highway District.

 

PAYETTE COUNTY

WEST OF CALDWELL - I-84 resurfacing, Black Canyon to Sand Hollow

The pavement resurfacing and repair project on I-84 west of Caldwell continues. The project, funded through stimulus savings, will treat the roadway surface beginning west of the Black Canyon Interchange and extending for five miles, to east of the Sand Hollow Interchange.

 

All traffic within the project area has been traveling on the westbound side of the interstate for several weeks. Crews continue replacing damaged concrete slabs on eastbound I-84. In late July, crews should be finished with slab repair on the eastbound side and begin working in the westbound lanes.

 

During the majority of the work, only one interstate lane will be open in both directions. 

 

On Wednesday (June 23), the detour route for oversize loads changed and drivers started to use exit 3 to U.S. 95 to Idaho 16 to I-84B to exit 27 on I-84. The detour had been exit 3 to U.S. 95 to U.S. 20/26 to I-84s exit 26.
 
The speed limit is 45 mph over the median crossovers, and 55 mph between them.

 

The project is expected to be complete this fall.

 

Several badly damaged concrete slabs in that stretch will be removed and replaced. Repairs also will include resealing pavement joints, repairing pavement cracks and chips, grinding portions off of the existing pavement surface and completing guardrail safety improvements. Work will start in the eastbound lanes (through July), then turn around and come back westbound.

 

A highly competitive construction environment led to significant savings on the eight original projects funded by the federal stimulus program ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). This is one of nine smaller projects financed through those initial bid savings.

 

Multiple Concrete Enterprises, of Ogden, Utah, is the contractor on the $6.9 million project.

 

FRUITLAND, PAYETTE - pavement resurfacing

Work is under way on several pavement rehabilitation projects encompassing about six miles of U.S. 95 from north Fruitland to north Payette as well as about one-half mile of U.S. 30 between the Snake River and Fruitland. In addition to resurfacing, pavement cracks also will be filled throughout the project area.

Standard work hours will be 7 a.m. to dusk Monday through Thursday, and to noon on Friday. No weekend work is expected. There may be some overnight (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) work when the contractor is working on the signalized intersections at U.S. 95 and U.S. 30 (Gayway Junction) and the U.S. 95/95 Spur intersection south of Payette. The traffic signals at those intersections will be upgraded to video detection-based operating systems.

Most recently, the contractor removed and replaced a portion of the existing guardrail and updated the terminal sections (guardrail north of the Payette River project) on both the east and west side of U.S. 95.  

 

Crews are planning next week (June 28-July 2) to begin milling at the edge of the gutter and paving back from Gayway Junction.

 

Knife River, of Boise, is the contractor on this $2.1 million project.

 

FRUITLAND - S. Pennsylvania Avenue resurfacing

A project to resurface South Pennsylvania Avenue in Fruitland is under way.

 

Construction is expected to last about two months.

 

The project will include a mill and overlay (about two inches of the existing surface will be removed, and replaced with two inches of new pavement) between U.S. 95 and SW 4th Street.

 

Earlier this week (June 21-25), crews poured curb, gutter and sidewalk, and repaired asphalt areas later in the week.

 
The contractor plans to mill the existing asphalt and begin the asphalt overlay between June 29 and July 2.  South Pennsylvania will be closed from U.S. 95 to 7th Avenue, and will have lane restrictions from 7th Avenue to 4th Avenue during this time.

 

A detour will be in place and flaggers will be used when less than two lanes of traffic are open. Two lanes of traffic will be open during non-working times.
  
Milling and asphalt overlay work is expected to begin during the week of June 28.  The public should expect traffic delays when this begins. 

 

Improvements to the existing crosswalks and advanced signing will be constructed to increase pedestrian safety. After this overlay, pavement markings would be replaced and will improve vehicle circulation at the elementary and middle schools.

South Pennsylvania Avenue is an integral part of the transportation system for Fruitland. It is the only roadway access to the Fruitland elementary and middle schools and also provides approach to the Fruitland intermediate and high schools. The avenue also serves as a northbound gateway into Fruitland.

The city of Fruitland is the local sponsor of this project, and also is participating financially.

 

Irvco Asphalt & Gravel Inc., of Fruitland, is the contractor on this $298,000 project.

 

PAYETTE U.S. 95, Payette River Bridge replacement

The project to improve the U.S. 95 bridge over the Payette River south of Payette has been pushed back and is now likely to start soon. Once construction has started, it is expected to take about two years to complete.

 

Recent rain and flooding of the Payette River is delaying the start of work on the bridge. Road resurfacing work near Payette, which is now under way in a separate project, is also finishing later than anticipated. This resurfacing work must be completed before work on the Payette River Bridge can begin.

ITD will replace the existing northbound truss bridge (built in 1927) located on U.S. 95 between Fruitland and Payette. The new bridge will be two feet higher off the water. It will have no overhead bracing or struts as the current one does and will be 84 feet in width, eliminating current safety concerns regarding both width and height restrictions.

 

The new bridge will be constructed next to, and will attach to, the existing southbound bridge. The project includes also minor roadway realignment to tie into the new bridge location.

U.S. 95 is the main route connecting northern and southern Idaho. About 18,000 vehicles use this portion of the highway daily. By 2026, the volume is expected to be more than 25,000.

Traffic will utilize the southbound bridge while the new bridge is constructed. Traffic will then be switched to the new bridge while modifications to the southbound bridge are made and it is connected to the new bridge.

JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.

 

WASHINGTON COUNTY

WEISER - Snake River Bridge replacement

The project to replace the Snake River Bridge on the U.S. 95 Spur in Weiser 

is nearing completion.

 

Final clean-up items remain, as well as the seeding/planting (planting may be in the spring), fencing, returning new mailboxes, and a couple of signs that need to be replaced. 

 

The original bridge was built in 1903, with an additional span added in 1911. Traffic signals were added in 1949. The bridge was replaced in the 1950s - that one is being replaced in this project. Once completed, the bridge will be 16 feet wider and able to carry greater traffic volumes. The highway on both sides of the bridge also will be reconstructed.

New curb, gutter and sidewalks are being reconstructed on the Idaho side of the bridge.

The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph on the Oregon side of the bridge.

Sletten Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $10 million project. The project is expected to be completed by mid-July.

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.