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12/17/2010

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

Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Dec. 17-24

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

Drivers at the Vista Avenue Interchange can expect lane restrictions and flaggers Monday night (Dec. 20) as additional signs are installed at the new SPUI interchange, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
 
Minor delays are expected overnight from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as the work progresses. An additional one-half dozen signs are being installed to help direct motorists.

 

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.

 

On Sunday and Monday (Dec. 19 and 20), the eastbound right lane of I-84 will be restricted from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. Crews will be repairing pavement near the shoulders. This work is weather dependent.

 

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.

 

 Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, is the contractor.

 

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 all motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists between Franklin and Overland roads.

 

Workers will finish manholes on Tasa Drive between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Dec. 20 and 21. Motorists are advised to drive slowly and cautiously.

 

The speed limit is 55 mph on I-84.

 

Idaho Sand & Gravel is the contractor on this $33.8 million project, which is expected to be complete in summer 2011.

 

NAMPA - Franklin to 11th interstate widening

On the project to widen Interstate 84 between the Franklin Boulevard and Garrity Boulevard interchanges in Nampa, crews are building new bridges over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and Phyllis Canal.

 

Replacement of the bridges will accommodate additional lanes on I-84. Work on both bridges is expected to be complete before the new year.

 

Other ongoing activity includes pipe work, concrete paving in the median and construction of foundations for overhead signs. This work does not impact traffic, and no lane reductions are anticipated within the next two weeks.

 

Crews will suspend work Dec. 25-26, and Jan. 1-2.

 

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

    - The I-84 eastbound on-ramp is restricted at Garrity - vehicles more than 12 feet wide are not allowed.

   -  I-84 eastbound is reduced to one lane 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.

    - 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.

    - 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. The only event on the schedule right now is the Jeff Dunham show on the night of Jan. 27.

 

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:

 

COMPLETED

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.

CURRENTLY UNDER WAY

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.

 

Crews will work through Dec. 23, then take off Dec. 24-Jan. 2, and resume work Jan.3.

 

Following is an update on non-GARVEE state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.

 

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 contractor is working on rebar for the last abutment and the wing walls. Once concrete for the footings, abutments and wing walls cures, the detour will be removed. The new bridge girders are scheduled to be placed in late December.

 

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 1-3 and Abutment 1 are complete. The girders have been set in Span 3. The contractor will finish setting girders in Spans 1 and 2 by next week (Dec. 20-23). Once the girders are set, the cofferdam on the south side will be removed and moved to the north side, so construction on Piers 4 and 5 can be constructed.

 

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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