3/7/2012
MEDIA ATTENTION: Corrections requested
MEDIA ATTENTION -- corrections requested
We have learned of some confusion about two unrelated highway construction projects in the Lewiston area and wonder if you can advise your audiences of the updates.
First, we sent a news release last week indicating that, because of inclement weather, work on the Lapwai Bridges project on U.S. 95 south of Lewiston is delayed until early April. Apparently, the updated news release might have been overlooked and some information from a previous release is being disseminated that work is under way. That is not the case; it will not begin until April 2. (See news release below.)
Second, there are reports that an ITD contractor is working on the Spalding and Arrow bridges. This is inaccurate. Work is under way on girder repair under the Spalding Bridge (U.S. 95) that crosses the Clearwater River east of Lewiston. We also are rehabilitating the bridge deck of the U.S. 95 highway bridge – at basically the same location – as it crosses over U.S. 12 southbound toward Lapwai. Some reports indicate we are also working on the Arrow Bridge. There is no construction on the Arrow Bridge (U.S. 12) east of Lewiston. (See news release below.)
Thank you for clarifying the projects for your audiences.
News release
Lapwai Bridges Project
LEWISTON – An unexpected return of winter weather conditions this week will delay the resumption of bridge construction on U.S. 95 south of Lewiston by about a month. Construction was expected to begin Monday (March 5) on the Lapwai Creek Bridges project about 29 miles south of Lewiston. It has been postponed until April 2. The project, between mileposts 286 and 290, includes new approach slabs on the first half of the four northern structures, raising the road grade between several of the bridges and constructing the second half of all seven structures.
News release
Spalding, U.S. 95 bridges
LEWISTON - Two bridge rehabilitation projects will impact traffic on U.S. 95 east of Lewiston beginning tomorrow until May, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The U.S. 95 Spalding Bridge over the Clearwater River and the U.S. 95 interchange bridge over U.S. 12 are scheduled for maintenance work. Both structures are approximately 10 miles east of Lewiston.
Motorists crossing the Spalding/Clearwater River Bridge will experience 10 to 15 minute delays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Flaggers will direct traffic while crews make repairs to the underside of the bridge.
Motorists crossing the U.S. 95/U.S. 12 interchange will also experience minor delays as the bridge is reduced to one lane. A temporary traffic signal will direct motorists 24 hours a day, seven days a week until May. Crews are replacing the bridge deck and guardrail.
Vehicle widths will be restricted on the Spalding/Clearwater River Bridge to 14 feet intermittently throughout the project. The contractor on the project, Penhall Company of Tacoma, Wash., can be called to coordinate loads between 14 feet and 17 feet. For information on width restrictions, call the contractor’s project engineer Marcus Leavitt at 253-572-2045 or at 510-621-9379.
Vehicle widths on the U.S. 95/U.S. 12 interchange will be restricted to 17 feet.