2/3/2012
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Construction on stretch of I-84 in Nampa wrapping up ahead of original schedule
NAMPA – Months earlier than originally expected, all lanes are open on Interstate 84 between the Franklin and Garrity interchanges in Nampa as work wraps up on this construction project that widened two mile of interstate.
Work started in July 2010, and is reaching completion nearly three months ahead of schedule.
Minor construction activity continues as crews complete roadside sign installation, clean-up tasks and utility work along the shoulder. Short-term lane reductions may be required; in these instances, the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph as a safety precaution for motorists and for crews who work just feet from moving traffic.
This spring, crews will return to paint final lane markings on I-84 and reconfigure the traffic signal and lane markings at the westbound Franklin off-ramp.
The project included:
- Widening two miles of I-84 from two to three lanes in each direction;
- Adding an auxiliary lane for eastbound traffic; the auxiliary lane allows motorists to enter I-84 at the Franklin Boulevard on-ramp, remain in this lane, and exit at Garrity - never having to merge with interstate traffic;
- Constructing two new bridges to accommodate interstate widening: one over the Phyllis Canal and the other over the Union Pacific Railroad; and
- Reconfiguring on- and off-ramps to improve driver safety. Longer ramps and more gradual alignments allow for safer merging with interstate traffic when exiting from the interstate
ITD worked closely with businesses along the corridor, providing advance notification and detour maps, and scheduling ramp closures to avoid peak traffic times such as Idaho Center events.
The widening project improves the road surface, adds capacity and will safely accommodate projected traffic volumes through 2032, when the area is expected to see 40 percent more traffic. I-84 provides a vital link between Canyon County and Ada County for both commuters and freight, and carries the highest volume of traffic in the region. The corridor from west of Caldwell to east of Meridian experienced pressure over the last decade from rapid growth west of Boise.
The widening project is one of several interstate improvement projects in an 18-mile stretch of I-84 funded by the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses proceeds from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to accelerate highway improvements throughout Idaho.
Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the contractor on this $22.2 million project.