9/21/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Traffic switch coming for Willow Creek Bridge motorists Tuesday (Sept. 27)
EMMETT – Traffic will be switched Tuesday (Sept. 27) as crews continue the replacement of the Willow Creek Bridge on Idaho 16 south of town.
The two-lane bridge north of Firebird Raceway on Idaho 16 is being replaced with a wider, three-lane structure. The project started June 20 and is expected to finish in late November. Traffic will be switched to the east half of the new bridge to allow crews to demolish the western half and begin building that new section. One lane of travel each way will be maintained. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph during construction. Width restrictions of 11 feet will remain in place.
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 switch prior to that work. The bridge replacement, 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.
In addition to replacing the bridge, built in 1959, 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.
Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, is the contractor on this $1.1 million project.