2/1/2006
Interstate 90 Government Way Bridge construction project reaches midpoint
COUER dALENE A year-long project to remove and rebuild the Government Way Bridge over Interstate 90 has reached the midpoint, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The bridge closed in the summer of 2005 and is on schedule to reopen by late this summer. During the last several months, crews demolished the old bridge and started placing sheet pile on the north and south sides of I-90.
The next steps in the project include pouring the bridge piers and constructing mechanically stabilized earth walls. Placement of new bridge girders is expected to begin in late spring.
Government Way is closed at I-90 during construction, but access to local businesses is maintained throughout the project. Recommended alternate routes are Ramsey Road/Northwest Boulevard, U.S. 95, 4th Street and 15th Street.
The old Government Way Bridge was built in 1958 and was showing signs of deterioration. Its successor will be widened to meet traffic needs. One lane had been closed for about a year because of safety concerns after damage by a number of over-height loads on I-90 .
The new bridge will be a steel-girder structure and will meet current height requirements. When completed, Government Way will have four lanes from Harrison Avenue to Dalton Avenue.
Morgen Oswood of Great Falls, Mont., is the contractor on this $2.7 million project.
For more information, call the project hotline at 765-4301. The recorded message is updated as construction progresses. Individuals may leave a message requesting additional information or a return phone call.