6/17/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for June 17-24
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.
The eastbound off-ramp at the Broadway Interchange was partially rebuilt last weekend. Work continues on the eastbound side. The westbound side opened up to four lanes a few months ago.
Motorists can expect ongoing, intermittent east- and westbound I-84 lane restrictions between Cole/Overland and Broadway interchanges during the month of June. 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 new Ten Mile Interchange (Exit 42) opened to traffic on May 25.
Occasional lane restrictions will continue on Ten Mile Road this summer for landscaping and guardrail work. The speed limit is 35 mph on Ten Mile Road.
The third lane for eastbound traffic will be restricted starting Saturday morning (June 18) at 7 a.m. as crews continue with necessary work under the bridge on the freeway. ITD accelerated the paving schedule, so the duration of the restriction will be less than a month, instead of the three months originally planned.
I-84 will be restricted to two lanes in both directions in late June and early July while the contractor completes permanent pavement. The lane restrictions will affect a two-mile stretch of I-84 around the interchange.
Idaho Sand & Gravel, of Nampa, is the contractor on this $33.8 million project.
All construction is scheduled to be completed later this summer.
The landscaping work is under a separate $580,000 contract to Franz Witte Landscape Contracting, but should also be done by mid-July.
ITD is doing the initial Ten Mile landscaping. Once the landscaping project is finished, the day-to-day maintenance of that landscaping system reverts to the city of Meridian.
On the landscaping project, all irrigation pipe has been placed in the ground. Crews are installing the water pump and meters through Wednesday (June 22).
NAMPA - I-84 widening, Franklin to Garrity
Asphalt paving of the eastbound Garrity off-ramp is scheduled for late next week. Work is planned during daytime hours, and traffic will be routed around the work zone. Traffic will be shifted onto the new pavement early the following week, during nighttime hours.
Crews recently removed two sections of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) bridge spanning the Interstate 84 westbound lanes.
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.
Paving of the eastbound Garrity off-ramp is scheduled for late next week. Work is planned during daytime hours, and traffic will be routed around the work zone. Traffic will be shifted onto the new pavement early the following week, during nighttime hours.
At the Franklin westbound off-ramp, traffic has shifted from the temporary asphalt off-ramp to the new concrete surface. Construction activity is ongoing at this ramp.
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, and work may be weather dependent.
Concrete Placing Co., 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 is winding down. The contractor expects to finish between June 25 and June 30. 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.
An island curb limiting left turns onto Ridgecrest was installed on Garrity Boulevard last week. Garrity paving is complete and the sidewalks nearly finished. Concrete paving continues on the ramps.
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 on the South Fork Payette River Bridge finished just prior to Memorial Day. Paving from Banks south will occur next week. A mix design for the asphalt needs to be approved.
Once paving operations begin, traffic will be reduced to one lane. Pilot cars and flaggers will direct traffic.
The 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.
The deck of the bridge received a silica fume treatment to prevent further corrosion and penetration by water and salts.
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 working with management of the Lucky Peak Reservoir and will be setting up buoys once the water level reaches the anticipated peak flow. For now, the contractor and the county sheriff’s office are discouraging boaters from gathering underneath the bridge.
Work remains in a one-lane configuration.
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 should finish in July.
From milepost 22-39, Idaho 21 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 Monday through Thursday, from 9 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.
The contractor continues paving one lane at a time - about two and one half miles per day - using a pilot car and flaggers. Crews will continue paving, alternating the lane being paved each day to keep the length of an abrupt edge down the centerline to a minimum.
Paving is about halfway done, proceeding toward Idaho City.
Central Paving Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on this $2.1 million project.
NEAR LOWMAN – Fish-passage project
A fish-passage project east of Lowman is expected to begin June 16 and continue through early December.
Initial traffic control was set up Wednesday. The bridge will be in a one-lane configuration using a traffic signal until December. The contractor will begin building a diversion for the bridge work next week.
The project includes replacing the existing culvert near milepost 83 (Lowman is at milepost 72) with a short-span bridge, followed by stream rehabilitation.
The road will be reduced to one lane for the duration of the work, controlled at each end by a temporary traffic signal. Crews anticipate working a Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.
This project is being funded through the U.S. Forest Service.
Cannon Builders Inc., of Blackfoot, is the contractor on this $1.2 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.
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 through mid-July as crews work on constructing a slip ramp in that area.
Concrete paving is still scheduled for the last week of this month. Along with the roadwork, the contractor is also placing the overhead sign structure bases and drain work.
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.
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.
The contractor has completed all contract work, with the exception of the signal poles at 12th and 2nd. The poles are expected to arrive in early July.
In addition, crews finished work on the wireless communication equipment that will allow the city to control signal timing from their traffic service shop. This finishes up the entire project except for the change order work at 12th and 2nd.
The contractor continues work on the signal at 12th and 2nd and has installed pedestrian poles. There will not be any work until approximately July 5, when the signal poles arrive.
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.
GEM COUNTY
SOUTH OF EMMETT – Idaho 16, Willow Creek Bridge replacement
The two-lane bridge north of Firebird Raceway on Idaho 16 will be replaced with a wider, three-lane structure starting Monday (June 20). The Idaho Transportation Department expects this project to finish in late November.
The bridge replacement, about eight miles south of Emmett at milepost 6.3, will result in a significantly wider bridge - 54 feet wide compared to the current 36-foot width. It also will be slightly longer - 108 feet instead of the current 90 feet. The new bridge will be a single-span structure.
The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph during construction. Traffic will be shifted but one lane each way will be maintained. Work will begin on the east half of the bridge.
Crews will use traffic drums, temporary guardrail and striping, and normal traffic-control signing. A portable message sign will be installed to alert drivers to the upcoming project a week prior to the beginning of construction.
Work on this contract will begin with construction of a temporary diversion for southbound traffic.
In addition to replacing the bridge, built in 1959, the project will require approach work to accommodate the new width of the structure and construction of a temporary detour on the west side of the existing bridge to handle southbound Idaho 16 commuter traffic.
The center lane on the new bridge will transition to match up with the current center turn lane south of the bridge, at the intersection of Chapparal Lane. North of the bridge, the road will be tapered from three lanes to match the existing two-lane configuration.
The project will improve the poor condition of the bridge substructure.
Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, is the contractor on this $1.1 million project
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, is being repaved.
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.
Crews have finished work on the first seven miles of the project, 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.
The contractor has started the SALSA section. Crews are removing guardrail for access to the pavement and replacing it where needed. Because of weather delays, the project completion is expected to be July 25.
?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.
Demolition, fill and roadwork activities are under way north and south of the river. The approach slab is being constructed on the south end of the bridge.
JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.