7/2/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
UPDATE: Idaho 21 wildlife undercrossing to begin July 12
BOISE -- Heavy construction activities on a wildlife underpass and associated big game fence on Idaho 21 have been pushed back a week and will begin July 12, says the Idaho Transportation Department. Once under way, the project is expected to take 75 calendar days to complete.
The underpass and fence near milepost 18, which is being built with federal stimulus dollars, is intended to reduce the high number of vehicle-wildlife collisions that occur along the scenic byway as mule deer and elk migrate between their summer and winter ranges. Each year, there are approximately 75-100 collisions with mule deer and 5-10 collisions with elk, costing the state an estimated $750,000 to $1 million in insurance claims, deductibles, medical expenses, disability leave, lost wildlife resources, and manpower and equipment for carcass removal.
Before the actual construction of the underpass begins, crews will first build a paved diversion road around the area for traffic. The temporary bypass will take about 10 days to construct.
Once traffic is moved onto the temporary bypass, a small section of Idaho 21 roadway will be demolished and the soil underneath dug out to create the underpass. A new bridge will be constructed over the excavated section and traffic returned to the highway.
The location of the underpass was selected due to its historic road-kill numbers and known migratory routes.
McAlvain Construction is the contractor. The cost of the bridge and surrounding fencing is $756,000.
ITD reminds
drivers to slow down in the work zone, watch out for construction trucks moving
in and out of the roadway, and pay close attention to traffic signs and
signals. Motorists also are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit
511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.