11/30/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Replacement of Willow Creek Bridge near Emmett nearly complete
EMMETT - "Out with the old, in with the new."
There's still a month to go before the New Year, but the familiar refrain already applies in the southwest Idaho town of Emmett.
A 52-year-old, two-lane bridge north of Firebird Raceway on Idaho 16 has reached its functional end, so the Idaho Transportation Department has been building a wider, three-lane replacement the past six months. Despite the bridge's age, the $1.1 million project was done primarily to improve the poor condition of the bridge substructure.
Click here for "before," "during" and "after" photos of the bridge replacement.
“With work substantially complete and significant traffic impacts a thing of the past, the 65 mph speed limit has been restored,” said ITD's Merrill Sharp, project construction manager.
The new bridge, about eight miles south of Emmett near milepost 6, is much wider than its predecessor at 54 feet, compared to the old 36-foot wide bridge. It also is longer by 18 feet. The new bridge is a single-span structure.
In addition to replacing the bridge that was built in 1959, ITD also constructed new bridge approaches to accommodate the expanded width of the structure.
The center lane on the new bridge is aligned to match up with the existing center turn lane south of the bridge, at the intersection of Chapparal Lane.
North of the bridge, the road is tapered from three lanes to match the existing two-lane configuration.
Sharp said crews still need to install a new permanent right-of-way fence along part of the project.
“I just used the bridge and it is exceptional,” said Emmett Mayor William Butticci. “This bridge will address safety for those commuters that travel Highway 16 daily, especially in the winter months with the snow and ice.”
“The turn lane will give that needed space for the traffic coming from behind and wanting to move around the turning vehicle,” he added.
With an eye to the city’s future, Butticci explained “this will also enhance the new development that has taken place and will help in the planning of future development to come, especially with the new rural fire station coming at the old halfway village location.”
“Thank you for the new bridge. It is greatly appreciated, and the public has already been saying how it has eased their commuting experience,” he said.