11/1/2010
I-84 overnight lane closures continue near Ten Mile Interchange through mid-November
MERIDIAN - Overnight lane closures will continue on a three-mile stretch of I-84 near Ten Mile until mid-November, with one lane in each direction open in that area, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
One lane will be open in both directions between Black Cat and Meridian from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends.
All lanes will be open during the day.
Construction crews are removing the temporary structure that supported the new Ten Mile bridge during initial construction. The 200-foot structure, called falsework, was assembled from heavy timber, lumber and steel panels. Each panel must be carefully lowered and transported to a site where it can be disassembled.
Resident Engineer Jeff Morf said the process had the potential for much greater traffic interruptions.
"Our priority was to keep all three lanes open during rush-hour traffic," Morf explained. "We considered keeping one lane closed 24 hours a day, but we chose the option with the least impacts during peak traffic times."
The Ten Mile Interchange is scheduled to open in summer 2011. When complete, it is expected to reduce congestion at the Meridian and Garrity interchanges as well as local roads in Meridian.
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.