10/11/2005
Temporary road closures planned through Craters of the Moon National Monument
RIGBY - A roadway improvement project on a nine-mile section of U.S. 20/26/93 through Craters of the Moon National Monument will involve some blasting and temporary road closures beginning the week of Oct. 24, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The Tom Cat Hill East project, which includes some blasting, will continue for about five weeks. Although the existing highway alignment will not be disturbed, intermittent road closures of 30 minutes to two hours can be expected for blasting. A schedule of road closures will be publicly announced in advance.
There are no local detours around the project site. Signs will be posted at areas well away from the project to give motorists the opportunity to make alternate travel plans.
Work will be suspended about Thanksgiving and some blasting will resume after April 1. The project road work will continue through the summer of 2006.
U.S. 20/26/93 between mileposts 224 and 226 will be reconstructed to improve sight distance. Between mileposts 226 and 233, the roadway will be rehabilitated. All work will be done within the existing right of way.
Seeds gathered from Craters of the Moon will be used to plant the roadway shoulders.
Western Construction of Boise is the contractor for the $8.4 million project.