3/16/2012
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for March 16-23
BOISE - The following project is 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
Overhead sign installation, done this week, was the final step in the project to widen I-84 between Cole/Overland and Broadway.
The speed limit has been returned to 65 mph throughout.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on the $35.9 million project.
In all, GARVEE dedicated $365 million to I-84 in the Treasure Valley over the last six years. Notably, GARVEE widened more than 12 miles of interstate between east Boise and west Nampa, built a new interchange at Ten Mile, reconstructed those at Vista, Orchard and Garrity, and opened up western Ada County to commerce, relieving some of the vehicle pressure on the Eagle and Meridian interchanges.
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
On the fish-passage project east of Lowman, 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
FRUITLAND – U.S. 95/I-84 Exit 3 Overpass repair
The half-century-old U.S. 95 interchange overpass spanning I-84 at Exit 3 near Fruitland will be resurfaced and repaired in a project starting Monday (March 19) and finishing about three months later.
The bridge deck and foundation for this bridge are considered to be in fair condition, with the superstructure in good condition.
The concrete deck will be overlayed and pier caps and columns patched in this project to extend the life of the bridge, built in 1960. The bridge railing will also be replaced.
Asphalt paving work will be performed to tie the bridge approaches into the road on each end of the bridge.
The normal lane, shoulders and center lane are reduced slightly and allow passage of 14-foot vehicle and cargo widths.
Cannon Builders Inc., of Blackfoot, is the contractor for this $763,000 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 continue removing concrete bridge deck - jacking girders and replacing girder- bearing pads. They are about halfway done, and will start setting deck formwork on the portion of deck that is removed once they get the bearing pads for that section replaced. Then one crew will continue removing the deck, while another crew works on formwork on the previously removed section of deck.
JC Constructors Inc., of Meridian, is the contractor for this $6.17 million project.