Idaho

Transportation Department

5/20/2011

Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov

Southwest Idaho highway construction report for May 20-27

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

Construction of the new I-84, Ten Mile Interchange is nearing completion. The new on- and off-ramps are slated to open before the Memorial Day weekend.

 

Just one lane of Ten Mile Road will be open in both directions between Franklin and Overland until the interchange fully opens. The speed limit is 25 mph on Ten Mile Road.

 

Restrictions will continue on I-84 next week while crews prepare to open the ramps. At least one eastbound and westbound lane will be open between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night. All lanes will be open during the day.

 

• On Sunday night (May 22), both eastbound and westbound I-84 will be reduced to one lane.
• On Monday and Tuesday nights (May 23 and 24), westbound I-84 will be reduced to one lane.
• On Wednesday and Thursday nights (May 25 and 26), eastbound I-84 will be reduced to one lane.

 

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.

 

Last week the landscaper installed irrigation pipe and valves in the SPUI (Single Point Urban Interchange) ramp islands. Rock cobble and topsoil was also placed in these areas. Next week, work will begin on installing two water meters for potable and reclaimed water, as well as installation of the water pump.

 

I-84 widening, Franklin to Garrity

Work is progressing on the project to widen Interstate 84 between the Franklin Boulevard and Garrity Boulevard interchanges in Nampa.

 

Overnight Wednesday (May 25), girders will be set for the new Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) structure. Eastbound lanes in that area will be reduced from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
 
Construction of two new bridges over the UPRR and Phyllis Canal will accommodate the additional lanes on I-84. Ongoing activity on the project to widen this stretch of I-84 includes building abutments and retaining walls for the bridges.

 

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.

 

Traffic on the I-84 eastbound on-ramp has been shifted to the left (north) to allow construction of the on-ramp. Concrete barriers 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 on the bridge is expected to finish early next week. Today (Friday, May 20) workers are paving the temporary ramps to the bridge to open it up to two-way traffic. 

 

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 the railing on the bridge. The work is nearly two-thirds complete on the right side. Workers are also preparing to put shoring on top of Pier 2, which is located towards the Idaho City side of the bridge, but the work is underneath the bridge. In the near future, painting of the structural steel will occur using an enclosed platform. Crews will also start the hydro-demolition of the right side of the bridge deck (as drivers go toward Idaho City) in the next few weeks. 

 

Drivers are asked to call 5-1-1 if they notice any problems with the signals. There is no cell service available in that area, but once drivers travel into cell phone range, they can notify 5-1-1, so that ITDs traffic control people can dispatch flaggers to that location or do the work needed to quickly clear traffic. 

 

RSCI, of Meridian, is the contractor on the $2.8 million project.

 

Robie Creek to Idaho City Idaho 21 overlay

A thin asphalt layer is being added to a 17-mile stretch of Idaho 21 between Robie Creek and Idaho City. The work began May 17, and 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.

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 45 mph, and to 35 mph in the immediate work zone. Crews may work on the weekends, but do not plan to do so as a rule.

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 has begun on construction of 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.
 
A restriction on wide loads will take effect in Caldwell for Interstate 84 traffic, and the westbound ramp from U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard) onto I-84 will be detoured beginning Sunday (May 22) and continue through mid-July as crews work on constructing a slip ramp in that area.
 
The ramp traffic will be directed west and the oversize loads to the east at exit 29:

- I-84 westbound traffic more than 14 feet in width will be detoured at exit 29, then east on U.S. 20/26, north on Middleton Road and then west on Idaho 44, back to I-84 at Exit 25.
 
- The I 84 westbound on-ramp will be closed. That traffic will be detoured west on Franklin Road to North 21st Avenue and then to Blaine Street, north on Blaine Street to Centennial Way and then back to I-84 at Exit 27.

 

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.

 
"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.
  
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 by 2009.
 
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.

 

This week, the contractor continued work on replacing the signal at 12th Avenue and 2nd Street by installing some of the junction boxes and pole foundations. The signal replacement is being done through a change order to the project. 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. 

 

They will also replace the last two signal cabinets at 16th and 7th, and 12th and 7th, using flaggers at the intersections to direct traffic. In addition, crews will begin work on the wireless communication equipment to 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.

 

Starting at 7 a.m. on Monday (May 23), the pulverized surface will be passable and maintained for traffic during this time. The posted speed limit will still be 45 mph. 

 

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.

 

Embankment work has continued for the road on the south side. Crews poured the first two sections of concrete bridge deck on Thursday. This should not affect traffic in the area.

 

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.