3/9/2012
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for March 9-16
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
East- and westbound I-84 between the Orchard and Broadway
interchanges will be closed at night early next week while new sign
structures and directional signs are installed.
• Monday (March 12):
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.
• Tuesday (March 13): 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.
Monday night's detour map is available here, and Tuesday night's here.
The overhead sign installation, originally planned for late February but postponed due to a manufacturer's issue, is the final step in the project to widen I-84 to four lanes between Cole/Overland and Broadway.
Lane closures will be required on Wednesday night (March 14) from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to complete the installation of the overhead signs. At least one lane in each direction will remain open.
The speed limit will be lowered to 55 mph during these closures.
The schedule is weather-dependent. Travelers are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov or dial 5-1-1 for updated information.
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
The bridge has reopened to two lanes, with the width restriction removed, and the speed limit returned to 55 mph.
Crews will need to return to the bridge briefly in the spring to complete minor work, but this work will be performed under periodic lane closures. No signals will be necessary.
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 September 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 40 percent complete with removing the old bridge deck. They are removing bearing pads.
JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.