8/9/2010
Seal coat project on City of Rocks Backcountry Byway begins Wednesday
SHOSHONE - The conclusion of five years worth of road construction on the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway is expected to be complete next week, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Speed restrictions, delays and loose gravel will slow traffic on the south Cassia County roadway between Idaho 77 (Connor Corner) and the town of Almo for a chip seal coat project. Traffic will be delayed by flaggers as crews apply the oil and rock chips. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph through the construction zone.
Speed restrictions will remain in place until sweeping and striping of the project is completed. Work is expected to be done by Aug. 18.
"We are pleased to be complete with major work on the byway," ITD Resident Engineer Kimbol Allen said. "We appreciate the cooperation we have experienced with the local community over the years. We see the completed roadway as a success for Cassia County and the City of Rocks National Reserve."
Drivers should use caution when approaching the work zone and follow all temporary speed limits. Following posted speed limits will reduce the risk of windshield damage caused by the loose gravel. Use caution and watch for crew members and equipment when driving through the work zone.
The seal coat is the final work of stage four in the reconstruction and realignment of the 16-mile City of Rocks Backcountry Byway. Western Construction Inc., of Boise, is the contractor of the $1.4 million final stage which oversaw the reconstruction of a one-mile section south of the village of Elba last year and the final seal coat.
The first of the four stages for the federally-funded reconstruction began in 2005 with major construction being completed in 2009. The total cost of construction was $10.6 million
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.