7/23/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for July 23-30
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*
The new Single Point Urban Interchange
traffic light was activated at the Vista Interchange this morning (Friday, July
23). ITD is finishing the last stage of reconstruction on the interchange. The
project will reduce congestion and accommodate more lanes on I-84.
Airport Way will be reduced to one lane
in both directions until late July or early August.
The new left-turn lanes on Vista Avenue
will remain closed while ITD finishes paving and constructing center islands.
All lanes are expected to be open in late August.
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 or early fall 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 July 31.
Crews will pave new lanes 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. The project includes several improvements to Ten Mile Road.
The
outside lane of westbound I-84 will be closed near Ten Mile Road from 10 p.m.
Monday (July 26) to 5 a.m. Tuesday (July 27).
The
outside lane of eastbound I-84 will be closed during the same hours on Tuesday
night.
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 - Franklin to 11th interstate widening
Work has begun
on widening Interstate 84 to three lanes from Nampa's Franklin Boulevard to
Garrity Boulevard.
Nighttime lane closures are expected through August.
The project also includes replacement of the Union Pacific Railroad and Phyllis
Canal bridges. Bridge projects at Garrity and 11th are already under way to
accommodate the additional lanes on I-84.
When these improvements are complete, I-84 between the Franklin and Garrity
interchanges will be widened to three lanes in each direction, with an
additional 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.
Construction is expected to be complete by early summer 2012.
Concrete
Placing Company, of Boise is the contractor on this $22.2 million project.
NAMPA 11th Avenue Bridge
Work is progressing on the 11th Avenue
bridge over I-84 in Nampa.
The
bridge deck pours are now complete.
The 11th Avenue
Bridge closed to all traffic in May and will remain closed until late summer.
Reconstruction of the bridge is required to allow the addition of one lane in
each direction on I-84 between Franklin Boulevard and Garrity Boulevard. That
project began this week and is scheduled to be complete by early summer 2012.
The bridge reconstruction and I-84 widening projects are
among several interstate improvements occurring in an 18-mile stretch of I-84,
funded by the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses proceeds from
Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle bonds.
McAlvain
Civil Constructors the contractor on the $4.1 million 11th Avenue Bridge
project.
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.
This
project is part of ITD's plans to improve I-84 between the Franklin and Garrity
interchanges in Nampa.
The westbound
(northern-most) portion of the Garrity Boulevard Bridge was taken down Friday and
Saturday night (July 16 and 17). The median section was demolished earlier, and
demolition of the eastbound piece is slated for Dec./Jan.
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
Step
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.
Step
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 Dec./Jan.
Step
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.
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.
Crews have
completed permanent pavement markings.
Some occasional nighttime lane closures will be necessary in the coming weeks
for installation of some permanent pavement markings and signs. In addition,
some final work will be done closer to the freeway later in July.
Central
Paving Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on the $1.35 million 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 August.
Crews prepared
the base for paving, which is expected to start on Tuesday (July 27).
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 is nearing completion.
The Franklin Road-21st Avenue
intersection will open to traffic on Friday (July 23), nearly two months ahead
of schedule. Crews turned on the new traffic signal for the intersection July
22. Over the next few days, the signal timing will be fine-tuned.
In addition, the project area will be re-seeded this coming fall.
The Franklin-21st intersection is about
one-quarter mile west of the newly reconstructed Franklin Interchange (Exit 29).
The project improves 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.
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.
The project is expected to be
finished in early October.
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.
The project is
complete on the south side. The contractor is currently building subgrade on
the north side.
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 are now
paving. Guardrail installation and restriping is scheduled for later in July. The
road is slated to re-open by Aug. 1. The project is running ahead of
schedule.
The
road will be closed during construction.
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.
OWYHEE COUNTY
DUCK VALLEY State Line to Sheep Creek
Road resurfacing
A
pavement resurfacing project on approximately 20 miles of Idaho 51, from the
Nevada State Line to Sheep Creek Road in Owyhee County, is now under way. The
project is expected to take until late
August to complete.
The work is about 70 miles south of Mountain Home and travels through the Duck
Valley Indian Reservation.
On
this two-lane road, the first 11.4-mile stretch will receive a thin overlay of
asphalt (about 1.8 inches) and the entire 20-mile area will be seal coated.
A
half-inch scrub coat, to mitigate cracking, was applied to the first eight
miles.
Crews are waiting for the scrub coat to cure, and will resume paving operations
on Monday. All lanes are open to traffic, but the speed limit is still
reduced to 45 mph.
Traffic will be directed when necessary
by flaggers and pilot cars.
Valley Paving & Asphalt Co., of Cottonwood, is the contractor on this $1.92
million project.
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, begins west of the Black Canyon Interchange and
extends 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, but traffic will switch to the eastbound side
Sunday (July 25).
Crews continue replacing damaged concrete slabs, grinding concrete and installing
new guardrail end terminals on eastbound I-84. By the end of this month, crews
should complete 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.
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.
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.
Crews completed paving through Payette
this week (July 19-23). Approach paving (public and private) has been completed
to the 7th Avenue North intersection in Payette. The remaining approaches will
be paved next week (July 26-30). Speed limit reductions will remain in place
until all work is completed.
The contractor is expecting to have
approximately five to six days of bump grinding, followed by restriping.
Knife
River, of Boise, is the contractor on this $2.1 million project.
Idaho 52, Idaho 72 Resurfacing
A
resurfacing project is expected to begin in late July on about 14 miles of
rural highway on Idaho 52, from Payette's east city limits to its junction with
Idaho 72, and on Idaho 72, from the junction with U.S. 30 to the junction with
Idaho 52. The project is expected to take about two months to complete,
finishing in late September.
In addition to the thin overlay to be applied to the roadway surface, the
project also includes guardrail upgrades.
Traffic control is expected to consist of a pilot car and
flaggers when needed.
Crews have milled off the top layer of existing pavement,
and paving is expected to begin Monday or Tuesday (July 26 or 27).
Western
Construction of Boise is the contractor on this nearly $2 million project.
FRUITLAND - S. Pennsylvania Avenue
resurfacing
A
project to resurface South Pennsylvania Avenue in Fruitland is nearing
completion.
The
project has entailed 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.
Crews have been
working on minor items such as repairing sod, adjusting and cleaning manholes
and water valves, installing signs, and general clean-up this week (July
12-16). The project is anticipated to be finished this week with the exception
of installing school crossing signs and school zone signs.
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 is now under
way. It is expected to take about two years to complete, finishing in fall
2012.
Crews
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 also includes 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
almost finished.
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.
Sletten Construction of Boise is the contractor on this $10 million project.
The project is expected to be completed by
the end of the month.
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.