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12/3/2010

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

Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Dec. 3-10

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, 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.

 

Westbound motorists bound for the Vista or Orchard interchanges will continue using the temporary ramp lanes at the Broadway Interchange until late 2010. The speed limit is 45 mph on the temporary ramp lanes.

 

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.

 

Ten Mile Road is closed to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists between Franklin and Overland roads.

 

Construction vehicles and heavy equipment are entering and exiting the project area from westbound I-84 near the new bridge. The speed limit is 55 mph on I-84.

 

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

 

NAMPA - Franklin to 11th interstate widening

Weather permitting, next week crews will pave the median between the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and Phyllis Canal bridges on a project to widen Interstate 84 between the Franklin Boulevard and Garrity Boulevard interchanges in Nampa.

 

This work was originally scheduled for last weekend, but was delayed due to weather. It will require eastbound I-84 to be reduced to one lane between Franklin and Garrity. The widening project includes replacement of the bridges to accommodate the additional lanes on I-84.

 

The newly paved median will eventually carry traffic after the first of the year, following completion of bridge work.

 

Construction is expected to be complete by early summer 2012.

 

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

Once these interstate improvements are complete, I-84 between Franklin and Garrity 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 farthest right, and exit at Garrity - never having to merge with interstate traffic.


NAMPA - Interstate 84, Garrity Interchange Bridge reconstruction

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

 

Overview of Traffic Changes

  • Garrity Boulevard will be closed overnight Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 4 and 5) for the removal of the eastbound bridge at the I-84 Garrity Interchange. Traffic will not be able to pass underneath the bridge. However, the ramps will still be open to access the interstate. Traffic north- and southbound on Garrity will be detoured using Stamm Lane, Robinson Road and Franklin Road between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
  • I-84 eastbound will be closed overnight (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) on Saturday (Dec. 4) between the Franklin and Garrity interchanges. Eastbound traffic will exit I-84 at the Franklin Interchange and be detoured south on Franklin Boulevard, Northeast on Garrity Boulevard, and re-enter I-84 at the Garrity Interchange.  
  • I-84 eastbound traffic will be moved north into the median approximately one-quarter mile east of the Garrity Interchange on Sunday morning (Dec. 5). Once motorists are past the Garrity Interchange, traffic switches back to the south out of the median. This configuration is expected to last several months while crews remove and replace the eastbound bridge at Garrity.
  • Garrity Boulevard is reduced to one lane in each direction intermittently near the Garrity Interchange while crews work under the bridge. The overnight (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) lane restrictions will not take place on Friday or Saturday nights. Two southbound and one northbound lane will be open by the morning commute and during the day.
  • I-84 is reduced to one lane in each direction most nights between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., excluding weekends, between the 11th Avenue overpass and Robinson Road overpass, while crews work along the shoulders. Both lanes will be open by the morning commute and during the day. Lane reductions are not expected to occur often on Friday or Saturday nights.
  • Weather permitting, ITD is flagging the I-84 on-ramps at Garrity following Idaho Center events to move traffic through the construction area more efficiently. Here are the two coming events for which ITD will provide flagging:
    1. Dec. 3 - Dane Cook (Comedian)
    2. Jan. 27 - Jeff Dunham (Comedian)

 

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 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 entire 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 AND ST LUKES ROAD IMPROVEMENT

Crews are going to try to work on Sunday night (Dec. 5) to excavate the two remaining dry wells, weather permitting. There will be a southbound right-hand lane closure from Autumn Way to Magic View between 8 p.m. Sunday night and 5:30 a.m. Monday morning.

 

This is part of the earlier $1.35 million Eagle Road resurfacing contract. Central Paving Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor.

 

BOISE/VALLEY COUNTY

BANKS TO ROUND VALLEY ROCKFALL

A rockfall mitigation project to improve safety along the highway is wrapping up on Idaho 55 from Banks to Round Valley.

 

Due to weather, rock scaling is done for the winter. The contractor will do some final clean up and guardrail work, then resume next spring (after March 1) for an estimated 10 more weeks.

 

ELMORE COUNTY

MOUNTAIN HOME Canyon Creek Bridge replacement

Replacement of the old, narrow Canyon Creek Bridge is under way. The bridge is located near milepost 9 on Canyon Creek Road, north of Mountain Home.

 

The road, which sees a fair amount of hunting-related traffic each fall, will be completely closed through late January.   

 

The detour route will start at the intersection of Canyon Creek Road and Frontage Road, and continue west past the Sunset Highway on Old Oregon Trail Highway. The detour will cross I-84 to the north at Ditto Creek road and continue along Martha Avenue to the east, back to Canyon Creek.

The bridge replacement also involves minimal approach work to the connecting roads to ensure that the bridge and road fit together seamlessly. The bridge also will include guardrail (railing), which the old bridge lacks.

The old bridge has been removed and excavation has started for the new structure.

The footings for the new bridge were placed on Tuesday (Nov. 30).

 

The Mountain Home Highway District is the local sponsor of the project.

 

McAlvain Contractors, of Boise, is the contractor on this $493,000 project.

 

PAYETTE COUNTY
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.

 

Piers 1,2, and 3 have been completed. Abutment 1 is being formed and will be completed next week. Pile driving for Abutment 2 will be completed this week. The crane is being broken down and moved from the North side to the South side to set girders. Setting the girders will follow the cure time on the structures. Girder delivery is on hold, pending trucking permits through Washington and Oregon because of winter conditions. Once the girders are set, the cofferdam on the south side will be removed and moved to the north side so construction can begin on piers 4 and 5.

 

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


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.

 
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