10/14/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction update for Oct. 14-21
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
I-84 drivers now have four eastbound and four westbound lanes, double the pre-construction capacity. The two-year reconstruction project in this area has included installing new drainage, replacing the original two-lane pavement from 1968, and adding two new lanes in both directions.
The speed limit has returned to 65 mph for the first time since construction started in late 2009.
Overhead signs will be placed this fall near the Vista Interchange, completing the project. If weather allows, there also will be eastbound I-84 restrictions next week near Vista for restriping.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on the $35.9 million project.
NAMPA - I-84 widening, Franklin to Garrity
On Oct. 24, a one-night detour between the Franklin Boulevard and Garrity Boulevard interchanges will be in place for eastbound I-84 traffic from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The detour will allow crews to install new overhead sign structures.
• Eastbound I-84 traffic must exit at Franklin.
• Flaggers will direct motorists through a detour route south of I-84, following Franklin to Garrity. Motorists can re-enter I-84 at the Garrity eastbound on-ramp.
• Westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in the work zone area.
The closure is weather-dependent, so travelers are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov or dial 5-1-1 for updated information.
The I-84 Franklin eastbound on-ramp remains closed until early 2012, when the project to widen I-84 between Franklin and Garrity is complete.
Crews are scheduled to complete removal of the Phyllis Canal Bridge next week. Motorists may experience intermittent nighttime lane reductions on I-84. All lanes remain open during the day.
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 farthest right lane, and exit at Garrity - never having to merge with interstate traffic.
Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the contractor on this $22.2 million project.
In late October, a one-night interstate detour will be required for eastbound traffic for the same type of work. The closures are weather-dependent, so travelers are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov or dial 5-1-1 for updated information.
Following is an update on non-GARVEE state highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
BOISE COUNTY
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. The project should be done in February 2012.
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.
Traffic was switched to the smaller east side of the bridge Aug. 31, which also narrowed the roadway to 11 feet. Weather has delayed placing the remainder of the bridge-deck work.
Work remains in a one-lane configuration.
RSCI, of Meridian, is the contractor on the $2.8 million project.
NEAR LOWMAN – Fish-passage project
A fish-passage project east of Lowman began June 15 and will continue through early December.
The bridge is in a one-lane configuration using a traffic signal.
Over the last two weeks, phase 1 of the bridge was completed and traffic switched to that northbound side. The contractor then removed the diversion lane and began excavation down to the top of the culvert. Abutment 1 piles were driven last week.
This week the contractor was pre-drilling for the abutment 2 piles and continuing with the excavation. Next week, crews will drive the pile for abutment 2 and begin the stream work.
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.
GEM COUNTY
SOUTH OF EMMETT – Idaho 16, Willow Creek Bridge replacement
Traffic has been switched to the new half (the east half) of the bridge as crews continue the replacement of the Willow Creek Bridge on Idaho 16 south of town.
Crews are working on the west-side bridge abutments of the new bridge.
The two-lane bridge north of Firebird Raceway 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.
ELMORE COUNTY
EAST OF BOISE – I-84 repair
The ongoing project corrects severe pavement deficiencies between Boise and Mountain Home. Traffic has been diverted to the westbound side of I-84, with drivers in a single lane each way. Traffic will remain that way until approximately the first of December, when the project is finished.
Repaving on the Mayfield Interchange ramps was completed, and the contractor is tentatively planning to close the ramps again Oct. 30 to modify the ramp traffic route.
Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, is the contractor on this $10.4 million project.
I-84 slab repair, near Glenns Ferry
Project work has resumed to repair deteriorating concrete slabs on the east- and westbound lanes of Interstate 84 near Glenns Ferry. It is expected to finish in mid-October.
Crews have ground the eastbound passing lane from milepost 114 to 121 for surface smoothness, and have moved to the westbound lanes working toward milepost 114. Crews are cleaning and reseal joints in the passing lane of the eastbound direction at milepost 114, working east.??This pavement maintenance project will extend from milepost 114 east from Hammett to Glenns Ferry, a distance of about seven miles.
Several badly damaged concrete slabs in that stretch will be removed and replaced. Repairs also will include resealing pavement joints, repairing pavement cracks and chips, and grinding portions from the existing pavement surface.
Crews will work Monday through Saturday. The speed limit is 65 mph from milepost 114 to 122 and 45 mph when lane closures are in operation.
Crews are in the final stages of work. Work was completed on the westbound side on Tuesday. Crews expect to finish eastbound work by Saturday (Oct. 15). Final striping is planned for early next week, weather permitting.
Next week, crews will work on the west- and eastbound travel lanes.
As with all work this time of year, the schedule is subject to change with weather conditions.
Interstate Improvement Inc., of Faribault, Minn., is the contractor on this $2.6 million project.
OWYHEE COUNTY
Grasmere north – Idaho 51 resurfacing
About 21 miles of rural Idaho 51 from Grasmere north is being resurfaced in a project that began Aug. 15.
The resurfacing will go from milepost 34 to 55 at Broken Wagon Flat Road.
A cold in-place recycling technique will be used on part of the route, during which crews break up a layer of old pavement and add additional oil to restore flexibility. The highway surface is then shaped and compacted, and overlayed with a top layer of new pavement. This is primarily used on medium- or low-volume roads.
A standard overlay will be used on the section from Grasmere north for the first 14 miles. ??The project completion date is early next week. Work is continuing on the guardrail install. Mainline paving on the highway is complete and approach paving is finishing. Traffic impacts should be minimal, with traffic control set up at the guardrail installation site and at the approach paving location.
Due to inclement weather, the application of pavement markings didn’t occur until late this week. The contractor has been told to exchange the 45 mph signs with 55 mph signs.
?Idaho Sand & Gravel Co., of Nampa, is the contractor on this $3.4 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.
The deck is finished. Crews are getting ready for paving and applying topsoil to slopes near the bridge to prepare for seeding. Paving began Thursday (Oct. 13) with a “test strip” to assure quality. Killebrew Drive will be closed during the work and Alden Road will be reduced to one lane.
Crews continue to strip forms from underneath the bridge. Deck and parapet are complete for the new northbound bridge.
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.
JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.
VALLEY COUNTY
?Cascade North City Limits to Donnelly – resurfacing
The project is winding down to provide an overlay on about 15 miles of Idaho 55, from the north city limits of Cascade to Donnelly.
Last week, the contractor added some aggregate to a turn-out near Little Donner Hill road so that the access for the residents would be less abrupt. About a day or two of work on a drop inlet for highway drainage also remains.
This thin-lift overlay pavement preservation project from milepost 116 to 131 will add about two inches of new pavement to the existing surface.
The speed limit is back up to normal levels. The contractor finished work on driveway approaches earlier this week. Final clean-up activities will continue over the next few weeks. Speed reductions may occur during this work if needed.
The new asphalt added to the traveling surface will extend the life of the roadway and provide better traction for vehicles.
Work will be done from about 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with no weekend work and the crew off the roadway by noon on Fridays to accommodate heavy recreational and tourist traffic.
Valley Paving & Asphalt Inc., of Cottonwood, is the contractor on this $2 million project.