5/4/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
New westbound I-84 lanes will open Thursday between Broadway, Cole interchanges in Boise
BOISE - The Idaho Transportation Department will open two additional lanes of westbound I-84 in Boise on Thursday (May 5), a full three months ahead of schedule. If weather cooperates, the new lanes will be open in time for the Thursday morning commute.
The new westbound lanes begin at the Broadway on-ramp and
continue past the Cole/Overland Interchange.
The new lanes were originally scheduled to open in late July.
In addition to four through lanes, motorists will have dedicated lanes for merging on and off I-84 at the Broadway and Vista interchanges. Click here for a map of westbound I-84.
"We had planned to use the new westbound lanes to accommodate eastbound traffic this spring and make room for construction," explained ITD Project Manager Dana Weiss. "Our contractor and ITD staff found a way to continue constructing the eastbound lanes without moving traffic. This will be much more convenient for the traveling public."
Two new eastbound through lanes are expected to open this summer.
The speed limit will remain at 55 mph while construction on eastbound I-84 continues. Motorists can still expect occasional overnight lane restrictions as the contractor finishes signage and drainage work.
Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the contractor for the $35.9 million I-84,
Cole to Broadway widening project.
Construction began in the fall of 2009.