12/21/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Resurfacing of 21 miles of Idaho 51 in Owyhee County to begin in spring
BOISE - A project to rehabilitate about 21 miles of Idaho 51 from Grasmere north to Broken Wagon Flat Road in Owyhee County is expected to begin this spring.
The
Idaho Transportation Department expects the
project is expected to last about a month and a half, finishing in early June.
The speed limit will be reduced, and only one lane will remain open on this
two-lane road.
The
majority of the work on this project will occur on weekdays during daytime
hours. Nighttime work will be prohibited, but occasional weekend work may be
required. The first 13.3 miles will be
overlaid with a few inches of new asphalt, and the last 7.6 miles will use the
Cold In-Place Recycle method of resurfacing, for which there are temperature
requirements precluding the nighttime work.
During
the Cold In-Place Recycle, crews break up the top layer of
old asphalt pavement, add a few inches of new asphalt, compact and shape it and
generally use it as the base for a top layer of new pavement. This is primarily
used on medium- or low-volume roads.
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.