4/1/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for April 1-8
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.
Starting Thursday (April 7), eastbound I-84 shoulders will be restricted to two feet between Cole and Orchard as crews begin to pave the new eastbound lanes. Shoulder restrictions will continue for several days.
East- and westbound I-84 will be restricted between Cole/Overland and Broadway interchanges intermittently at night during the month of April. All lane restrictions will occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor. This $35.9 million
project is expected to be complete in summer
2011.
MERIDIAN - Interstate 84, Ten Mile Interchange construction
Construction of the new I-84, Ten Mile Interchange will continue until early summer. The new interchange will include additional lanes on Ten Mile Road and on- and off-ramps to I-84.
Idaho Sand & Gravel, of Nampa, is the contractor on this $33.8 million project, which is expected to be complete in summer 2011.
The landscaping, under a separate $580,000 contract to Franz Witte Landscape Contracting, is now beginning as the ground thaws.
NAMPA - Franklin to 11th interstate widening
On the project to widen Interstate 84 between the Franklin Boulevard and Garrity Boulevard interchanges in Nampa, traffic has shifted to the paved concrete median while crews work on the original travel lanes.
Motorists can expect overnight lane closures tonight (March 31) while crews remove the final section of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) bridge that spans the old I-84 eastbound lanes. In the coming weeks, crews will build abutments and retaining walls for the bridge. The portion of the UPRR bridge that spans westbound lanes is scheduled for removal later this spring.
Construction of two new bridges over the UPRR and Phyllis Canal will accommodate the additional lanes on I-84.
Crews will perform additional work at the Garrity eastbound off-ramp tonight (Friday, April 1). The ramp will remain open to traffic.
Other intermittent nighttime lane closures can be expected for both east- and westbound traffic as crews work to complete the project by early summer 2012.
All I-84 lanes remain open during the day. The work schedule may be affected by weather.
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.
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.
Work on the sidewalks began this week, but it is not very visible. Sidewalks will be built on both sides of Garrity beneath I-84, but at this time pedestrian crossings will only be installed on the east side of Garrity to match up with existing sidewalks and crossing signals. The sidewalk work should take a few weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions.
The work schedule is still highly dependent on weather conditions, with much concrete work and paving remaining. Also, there will be some restriping on I-84 that may cause intermitted interruptions.
In the future, the city of Nampa may improve the sidewalk being built on the west side by installing pedestrian crossings and signals.
Traffic on Garrity Boulevard will be shifted around into different configurations during daytime hours as crews work underneath the bridge. Two southbound and one northbound lane will remain open.
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.
Following is an update on non-GARVEE state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
ADA COUNTY
BOISE - Floating Feather Road/Idaho 16 intersection turnbay project
Final paving has begun on a project to add a turnbay to the intersection of Floating Feather Road to serve north- and southbound traffic at Idaho 16. The project is expected to be open without restriction to traffic in the next week or two.
The road was paved March 22-23, striped on Thursday, and re-seeded today (Friday, April 1). New permanent signs and signposts will be installed soon possibly next week.
A 10-foot irrigation structure (concrete box culvert) within the project's limits was extended on both sides of Idaho 16 to allow for the lane addition and road widening.
The project began in mid-January, with an
irrigation-driven deadline of March 15 for the bridge work.
Deer Flat Sand & Gravel Inc., of Nampa, is the contractor on this $266,000
project.
BOISE COUNTY
East of Boise - Mores Creek Bridge upgrade
A project to update the Mores Creek Bridge (commonly known as the High Bridge) on Idaho 21 east of Boise is under way.
During this work, the bridge deck and joints will be rehabilitated and the bridge parapet and railing replaced. Work on the foundation during the low-water winter period will include a retaining wall, rock anchoring, slope armoring, and seismic retrofit. Portions of the structural steel will be painted along with other repairs on the structure.
Traffic across the bridge is controlled by signals at either end, with only one direction allowed to pass through at a time. Under normal conditions, the delays are expected to be 15 to 45 minutes in length. In addition, a nine-foot width restriction will be in effect.
Crews have finished stabilization at the bridge foundation for this year. The water level rose sooner than normal, so crews will have to complete the foundation work during the next water draw-down period this fall, sometime after Labor Day. In the meantime, work will continue above water level.
Crews continue working on the bridge rails, pier columns, and bumper assemblies. Traffic is still in the one-lane configuration.
RSCI, of Meridian, is the contractor on the $2.8 million project.
BOISE/VALLEY COUNTIES
A rockfall mitigation project from Banks north to Round Valley on Idaho 55 that was discontinued for the winter has resumed for a few months.
Loose rock will be removed from the rockfall zone to prevent it from falling onto the roadway. Work must be completed by the Memorial Day holiday.
Work started again March 21, although there were several natural conditions to overcome.
Last winter crews left off at milepost 82.7, but over the winter we had several slides next to that spot. The slides this spring have filled the gutters, covered the drainage pipe inlets, and damaged several lengths of guardrail.
There was no work this past week due to saturated soils. Crews are allowing the ground to dry out before starting work. So last week ITD cleaned up the material that had come down naturally at this location, and secured the site for traffic to safely use during Spring Break.
Crews plan to resume work on Monday (April 4).
All safety signs and traffic control devices are in place, including the portable message signs. Crews will be at this location for approximately 2-3 weeks.
Lane closures and traffic delays will occur during the removal of the rocks on the slopes and the cleanup required on the road. Delays could last for more than 15 minutes because of the unpredictability of the size and amount of rock that could come down at any one time.
Crews will work on the side of the road in several locations along this 26-mile stretch of highway (milepost 76 to 102). Crews are working four 10-hour days (Monday through Thursday) with some clean-up Friday. They must be off the road by noon on Fridays and are prohibited from working on weekends to accommodate the tourism and recreational activities.
Western Construction, of Boise, is the contractor on this $1.6 million project.
CANYON COUNTY
NAMPA City traffic signal synchronization
A project now under way will link traffic signals to create a more efficient traffic flow in and around downtown Nampa. The project is on pace to be completed in June.
There will be a short lane closure at the intersection of 11th Avenue South (Idaho 45) and 2nd Street South on Tuesday (April 5) at 10 a.m. The signal light will be turned off for approximately 30 minutes as Idaho Power transfers power to the signal. The entire intersection will be controlled by flaggers during this work.
This six-month project will allow traffic signals to be synchronized through fiber optics and will add pedestrian signals with countdown indicators at intersections. The signal improvements will mean people who drive the posted speed through the area should have fewer stops for red lights.
The work will be done primarily on 2nd and 3rd Street South and on 12th and 16th Avenue South. Signals on 7th Street South also will be included, as will the signal at 1st Street South and 11th Avenue South.
Crews are continuing to modify the signals at 2nd and 13th and 2nd and 14th to operate with the new equipment. The signals at these intersections are shut off so the contractor can rewire them. The intersections are operating with stop signs on 13th and 14th avenues.
Second Street has the right of way through the intersections.
There are intermittent lane closures in the downtown area from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for equipment storage.
Construction crews will try to limit closures to sidewalks and parking stalls in the work areas. The contract does allow for lane closures if necessary, but only in work hours.
Quality Electric Inc., of Boise, is the construction contractor on this $1.01 million project. The city of Nampa paid for the design on this project and will pay a portion of the construction contract cost. No ITD funds are being expended on this off-system project. The funding breakdown is almost 93 percent Federal Aid and just over 7 percent Local funding. ITD is involved as a steward of the federal aid monies.
ELMORE COUNTY
MOUNTAIN HOME Canyon Creek Bridge replacement
Replacement of the old, narrow Canyon Creek Bridge is winding down.
Waterproofing of the bridge deck is expected on Monday (March 28) and paving on Tuesday.
Seeding will happen later this month.
Because of weather, no work happened until waterproofing on Wednesday and paving on Thursday (March 29-30). Seeding is planned for early next week.
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 under way. It is expected to take about
two years to complete, finishing in fall 2012.
Crews are replacing 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.
All piers are complete and bridge girders have been set. The cofferdams have been removed from the river. Diaphragms are being formed and placed between the girders, and formwork for the bridge deck is under way on the south side.
JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.
Questions? Visit us online at itd.idaho.gov, follow ITD on Twitter (IdahoITD) or Facebook and check travel conditions at 511.idaho.gov or dial 5-1-1. Please slow down in highway construction zones and pay attention. Safety - for drivers and workers - is our highest priority.