8/5/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Traffic restricted to one lane Aug. 14, Aug. 20 on I-84 repair east of Boise
EAST OF BOISE – Westbound Interstate 84 traffic will be funneled into one lane starting Aug. 14 for an ongoing project to correct severe pavement deficiencies between Boise and Mountain Home. On Aug. 20, eastbound traffic will also be funneled into one lane on the westbound side. Speed limits will remain at 55 mph while in this configuration, which is expected to extend through Thanksgiving.
Portable electronic message boards at each end of the project are already in place to announce the upcoming traffic switch.
The overall project, which started two weeks ago, begins near milepost 70 (the Stage Stop and Mayfield Road Interchange) and extends east of the Simco Road Interchange to milepost 82.2. The project will finish in early December.
Currently the speed limit drops to 55 mph in the areas where crossovers are being prepared for traffic, and surveyors are working. Work is only conducted during daylight hours. The temporary lane closures are removed after work each day and the speed limit restored to 75 mph.
Two crossovers were paved Tuesday (Aug. 2). The contractor anticipates having the remaining ramp extensions completed by the end of today (Friday, Aug. 5).
The ramps at exits 71 (Stage Stop) and 74 (Simco Road) will be resurfaced. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph for exiting ramp traffic.
Crews have adopted an aggressive schedule, working Mondays through Saturdays.
Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, is the contractor on this $10.4 million project.