5/13/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for May 13-20
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.
Motorists should expect ongoing, intermittent east- and westbound I-84 lane restrictions between Cole/Overland and Broadway interchanges during the month of May. Restrictions will occur from 10 p.m. to 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
The city of Meridian will be celebrating the interchange in a dedication ceremony on Tuesday (May 17) at 1 p.m. The ramps will open later this month. Construction of the new interchange will continue through early summer.
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 under way.
ITD is doing the initial Ten Mile landscaping. Once the landscaping project is finished in late July, the day-to-day maintenance of that landscaping system reverts to the city of Meridian.
The landscapers have finished most of the mainline and lateral piping on the interstate sides of the on- and off-ramps. Next week crews will focus their work on the SPUI ramp islands. Next weeks work will include the pouring of the concrete mowing strip, lateral irrigation lines, and placement of topsoil.
NAMPA - Franklin to Garrity I-84 widening
Work is progressing on the project to widen Interstate 84 between the Franklin Boulevard and Garrity Boulevard interchanges in Nampa.
Crews continue work at the eastbound Garrity and westbound Franklin off-ramps and westbound Garrity and eastbound Franklin on-ramps. Paving of the ramps is scheduled for completion in early June. Work is planned during daytime hours, and traffic will be shifted around the work zone.
Ongoing activity includes building abutments and retaining walls for the Pacific Railroad (UPRR) bridge. In late May, crews are scheduled to remove the remaining sections of the bridge and set girders for the new structure. Construction of two new bridges over the UPRR and Phyllis Canal will accommodate the additional lanes on I-84.
Motorists can expect ongoing, intermittent nighttime lane closures 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.
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.
Motorists can expect additional congestion around the westbound Garrity off-ramp for sidewalk construction. Sidewalks will be built on both sides of Garrity beneath I-84, but 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.
In the future, the city of Nampa may improve the sidewalk being built on the west side by installing pedestrian crossings and signals.
At some point next week, traffic on the I-84 eastbound on-ramp will be shifted to the left (north) to allow on-ramp construction. Concrete barriers will separate ramp traffic from both I-84 traffic and the construction work zone. This configuration will remain in place for most of the ramp construction.
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.
BOISE COUNTY
Near Banks Road & Bridge project
Work began April 11 on a bridge project on Idaho 55 near Banks. The work should be completed on the South Fork Payette River Bridge just prior to Memorial Day, and paving from Banks south to occur after the holiday weekend.
At milepost 78.7, the deck of the bridge will receive a silica fume treatment to prevent further corrosion and penetration by water and salts. Bridge rail also will be repaired and repainted.
A pavement preservation project involves approximately 14 miles of roadway from just north of Horseshoe Bend at the Payette River Bridge north to about two miles north of the Idaho 55 and Banks-to-Lowman road intersection. About 1.8 inches of new pavement will be applied in a thin-lift paving procedure.
Work is complete on the east side of the bridge, and the contractor is now working on the west side. Traffic has been reduced to one lane, with temporary signals controlling traffic. Bridge work is scheduled to be completed by May 26, with paving from the bridge south to milepost 81 beginning June 1.
Once paving operations begin, traffic will be reduced to one lane. Pilot cars and flaggers will direct traffic.
Knife River Corp., of Boise, is the contractor on this $2.6 million project.
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 are replacing railing with new posts, and have completed work on the wing walls. A one-lane configuration remains. The work zone is on the right side as drivers go from Boise toward Idaho City.
RSCI, of Meridian, is the contractor on the $2.8 million project.
Robie Creek to Idaho City Idaho 21 overlay
A thin asphalt layer will be added to a 17-mile stretch of Idaho 21 between Robie Creek and Idaho City beginning Tuesday (May 17), the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The work will take about two months to complete.
This project, from milepost 22-39, will receive a thin-lift overlay of 1.8 inches of new pavement to extend the life of the pavement and restore the driving surface for a smoother ride.
Please access ITD's Facebook page here for a map of the project area.
One lane will be closed during the overlay work, with pilot cars and flaggers directing traffic. No lane closures are allowed at night. Crews will work from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The speed limit in that area will be reduced to 35 mph, and to 25 mph in some areas.
Central Paving Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on this $2.1 million project.
CANYON COUNTY
CALDWELL I-84 westbound slip ramp construction
Work
is set to begin today (Friday, May 13)
in advance of construction on an I-84 westbound slip ramp in Caldwell. The
project is expected to be completed in late July.
Starting at 10 p.m. Friday night and continuing through Saturday morning at 5
a.m., crews will be removing existing concrete barriers to reset them to the
north, removing existing pavement strips and installing new pavement strips.
The restriction is expected to be repeated overnight Saturday night and Sunday
night as well. The purpose is to create a work zone in the median and provide
for future traffic control during the project.
The two westbound I-84 traffic lanes will be reduced to one until May 23.
The slip ramp - a lane that starts and ends between an on-ramp and an off-ramp
- will run between the 10th Street Interchange and Franklin Road Interchange.
The mile-long slip ramp will allow motorists to enter I-84 at Franklin, remain
in the lane farthest right, and exit at 10th - never having to merge with
interstate traffic. A similar auxiliary lane is expected to run eastbound on
I-84 between Franklin and Garrity boulevards when that project is completed in
2012.
I-84 westbound in the area will be unable to accommodate loads over 14 feet in
width. Oversized loads headed west on I-84 will be detoured at Exit 29, up the
ramp to Idaho 20/26, east to Middleton Road on Idaho 20/26, north to Idaho 44
on Middleton Road, and then west on Idaho 44 back to I-84.
"This is yet another good example of road construction that will improve
traffic flow here in the Treasure Valley," said former Senate
Transportation Chairman John McGee, who was the chairman when this project was
first identified and proposed.
"Canyon County drivers will especially benefit from this slip ramp,"
McGee added.
McGee noted that by 2009, westbound travel between Nampa and Caldwell on I-84
had increased from about 14,000 in 1995 to more than 20,000 vehicles per day.
Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, is the contractor on the $1.16 million project.
NAMPA City traffic signal synchronization
A project has been under way since January to link traffic signals, creating a more efficient traffic flow in and around downtown Nampa.
The project will allow traffic signals to be synchronized through fiber optics and 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 contractor has completed work on eight of the 12 signal cabinets. This week, the contractor began work on replacing the signal at 12th Avenue and 2nd Street, where all underground conduit for the signal has been installed. The signal replacement is being done through a change order to the project. Workers will also replace signal cabinets at 12th and 7th, and 16th and 3rd using flaggers at the intersections to direct traffic. Next week, the contractor intends to continue work on the signal at 12th and 2nd. Crews will excavate and pour foundations for six new signal poles. In addition, theyll begin work on the wireless communication equipment that will allow the city to control signal timing from their traffic service shop.
The work is expected to finish in July.
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.
OWYHEE COUNTY
SW of MARSING U.S. 95 resurfacing
Approximately
17 miles of rural, two-lane U.S. 95, from the Idaho/Oregon border northeast into
Owyhee County, will be repaved. The project is anticipated to extend into
mid-July.
Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures and pilot cars will guide
motorists during the work. The speed limit in the work zone will be reduced to
45 mph, and work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with no work
anticipated on the weekends unless necessary.
The first seven miles of the project will be done using the CRABS (Cement
Recycled Asphalt Base Stabilization) process. The remainder of the project will
require an overlay with a SALSA (Stress Absorbing Straight Layer of Asphalt).
CRABS involves grinding the existing roadway down to the gravel base, then
adding cement to the old asphalt. This process extends the life of the roadway.
SALSA is a process which involves shooting a layer of straight asphalt on the
pavement and then applying a thin coat of chips. The SALSA process also
includes an overlay of plant mix, which is a blend of asphalt and crushed
rocks.
Idaho Sand & Gravel Co., of Nampa, is the contractor on this $4.9 million
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 summer 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 complete.
Deck formwork has been completed on the south side of the new bridge and continues on the north end of the bridge. Final grade checks are being made on the bridge deck. The first deck pour on the south end of the new bridge is planned for the end of next week. The road north of the river has been brought up to subgrade. Roadwork continues on the the south side of the bridge.
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.