2/17/2012
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Feb. 17-24
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.
ADA COUNTY
BOISE - Interstate 84, Cole Road to Broadway Avenue widening
There will be both east- and westbound overnight lane closures Tuesday and Wednesday nights while new sign structures and directional signs are installed. Crews hope to be completely done with the project by the end of the month.
• Tuesday (Feb. 21) night: Eastbound I-84 between the Orchard and Vista interchanges will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists will be directed to exit at the Orchard Interchange and can re-enter eastbound I-84 at the Vista Interchange.
• Wednesday (Feb. 22) night: Westbound I-84 between the Broadway and Vista interchanges will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists will be directed to exit at the Broadway Interchange and can re-enter westbound I-84 at the Vista Interchange.
Intermittent nighttime lane restrictions will start on Sunday, Feb. 19, and continue through the end of the month. Lane restrictions will be from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. Crews will prepare for the sign installation, finish placing the directional signs and perform electrical work.
The speed limit is 55 mph throughout the work zone. Installation of the sign bridges is one of the last steps of construction before the speed limit will return to 65 mph.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on the $35.9 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 under way.
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. A nine-foot width restriction is in effect. Crews anticipate removing those temporary signals by mid-March.
Crews placed the water-diversion wall at the pier footing this week.
They are still in the process of placing rip rap (rock) material and anchoring down the slope armoring (similar to fence material) to complete work before the water rises around March 1.
RSCI, of Meridian, is the contractor on the $2.8 million project.
BOISE COUNTY
NEAR LOWMAN – Fish-passage project
A fish-passage project east of Lowman is in winter shutdown mode, as the bridge has been reopened to traffic and the speed limit returned to 55 mph. The contractor will return in the spring to re-seed the work area and resume 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 finish in fall 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.
Crews are about halfway completed with removing the old bridge deck.
JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.