7/24/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Blasting starts soon to flatten rocky I-84 median; freeway resurfacing east of Boise follows
BOISE - Improving safety does not always mean widening a roadway,
adjusting the speed limit or installing a traffic signal. Along a
critical highway corridor on Interstate 84 east of Boise, Idaho
Transportation Department crews will take other measures to safeguard
drivers.
The five-mile stretch of I-84 between the East Boise Port of Entry and the Mayfield exit/Stage Stop (Exit 71) is home to many basalt rock outcroppings in the median that contribute significantly to run-off-the-road crashes. In the last five years, there have been 95 crashes in that stretch of highway, involving 245 people.
Starting late this week, contractors' crews will use explosives to loosen rock in those outcroppings. Once the roadway is reconstructed (see below) the rock will be used to fill areas next to the eastbound median to create 30-foot-wide ‘clear zones’ so eastbound run-off-the-road vehicles will not hit obstructions in the median.
Crews started setting up traffic control today (Wednesday, July 24) for the blasting. Several days of drilling to place explosives starts tomorrow, with approximately 80 holes to be drilled. An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and blasting plan were required to ensure adherence to safety guidelines.
Blasting shots can take place once holes are drilled, explosives loaded and connected, equipment moved, and the "rolling" traffic closures in effect to move traffic far enough away.
Click here for picture 1 and picture 2 of the area to be leveled.
Western Construction, of Boise, is the contractor for this $460,000 project.
At the same time as the blasting, a contractor will be resurfacing the I-84 lanes in the area:
Resurfacing on I-84
from Eisenman to Indian Creek starts July 29
The resurfacing of a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 84 east of Boise is set to begin Monday (July 29) from the Eisenman Road to Indian Creek at Exit 70. The I-84 westbound inside lane closest to the median will close after the morning commute Monday, with eastbound traffic shifted to the westbound side at 10 p.m. Wednesday (July 31).
The project will start first on the eastbound side of the road, with work following on the westbound side of the freeway starting in early September. The eastbound side will be closed between milepost 59.8 and milepost 70 from Aug. 1 until just after Labor Day, when traffic will be shifted to the westbound side.
One lane of traffic will be maintained at all times on I-84 throughout both directions of travel.
No detour route will be necessary on the eastbound side of the interstate as existing crossovers will be used, but a detour will be announced as work commences on the westbound side. The eastbound on-ramp to I-84 will be closed starting the night of July 31 and traffic will be detoured via Federal Way and back to Gowen Road to return to I-84.
Eastbound I-84 will be closed as crews mill, inlay and overlay the freeway and ramps, and upgrade weigh-in-motion equipment for the East Boise Port of Entry.
Central Paving, of Boise, is the contractor on this $8.8 million project.
Crews will keep one lane of I-84 closed at all times, with a "rolling" closure as blasting moves in the same direction work is progressing.
The entire project is expected to finish by mid-November 2013.