1/6/2012
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Jan. 6-13
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
Westbound I-84 between the Broadway and Vista interchanges will be closed from 10 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 8) to 5 a.m. Monday (Jan. 9) while crews remove the overhead sign bridge.
Motorists who want to exit I-84 at Vista Avenue must exit early at the Broadway Interchange. Traffic will be directed south on Broadway Avenue, west on Commerce Avenue, north on Development Avenue, then west on Airport Way to Vista Avenue.
Travelers heading eastbound on I-84 to access the Boise Airport can still exit at the Vista Avenue Interchange.
A map of the detour is available here.
All lanes of eastbound I-84 will be open.
Once the overhead structure is removed, lane restrictions will begin for five weeks on east- and westbound I-84.
The schedule is weather-dependent. Travelers are encouraged to check 511.Idaho.gov or dial 5-1-1 for updated information.
The detours are part of a project to widen I-84 to four lanes in both directions between Broadway and Cole/Overland. This widening was completed in the summer of 2011.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on the $35.9 million project.
NAMPA - I-84 widening, Franklin to Garrity
Westbound Interstate 84 between Franklin and Garrity Boulevard shifted from the left two lanes to the right two lanes Thursday night, as crews completed permanent striping on the project to widen I-84 between the Franklin and Garrity interchanges. The traffic shift will remain in place through the completion of the project, scheduled for late January or early February.
Next week, motorists can expect intermittent day and nighttime lane reductions as crews install overhead signs. Lanes will be periodically reduced to two lanes during the day and one lane overnight in the direction that the sign installation is occurring. All lanes in the opposite direction will remain open.
Work is scheduled in the eastbound lanes Monday-Wednesday (Jan. 9-11) and in the westbound lanes Wednesday-Friday (Jan. 11-13).
The I-84 eastbound on-ramp at Franklin remains closed until the project is complete. The permanent on-ramp will extend on a new bridge over the Phyllis Canal and provide for a longer merging distance with I-84 traffic. Crews are currently pouring the concrete approach slabs.
By mid-January, another critical section of concrete pour is scheduled; this will join two sections of the new bridge. After each pour, the concrete needs to cure for at least 10 days.
All work is weather dependent.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on this $22.2 million project.
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 ongoing.
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.
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 continue drilling for rock anchors and permeation grouting at the Pier 4 footings.
Traffic has been switched to the east side. The nine-foot width restriction remains in place, and the contractor is doing work below bridge on piers and down at footings. Workers may not be visible from the roadway, but they are present.
Permeation grouting work at the bridge foundation has been completed.
They are starting to build the retaining beam wall below the foundation and continue to drill rock anchors. All work that can be done above ordinary high water at this time of year, such as deck work, has been completed.
Traffic remains in a one-lane configuration, and will likely continue in that manner through April.
RSCI, of Meridian, is the contractor on the $2.8 million project.
NEAR LOWMAN – Fish-passage project
A fish-passage project east of Lowman has opened to traffic.
The bridge is in a one-lane configuration using a traffic signal.
The bridge opened to traffic Dec. 22, and the speed limit was returned to 55 mph. The contractor will return in the spring to re-seed the work area and complete approach work.
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.
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 has been switched to the northbound bridge. Utilities from Syringa and Qwest have also been transferred.
Utility companies have relocated their facilities to the new conduit on the new bridge, while the conduit on the old bridge is being removed. Containment and protection systems are being installed to remove the deck from the old bridge.
JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.