8/2/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Aug. 2-9
BOISE - The following projects in southwest Idaho are now under way or will begin soon.
ADA COUNTY
BOISE - Idaho 16 Extension, river crossing and local road connections (GARVEE)
A 2.5-mile extension of Idaho 16 is under way, connecting Chinden Boulevard (U.S. 20/26) to State Street (Idaho 44), including construction of a 1,726-foot-long, 11-span, 10-pier, 88-foot-wide bridge over the Boise River and a new crossing of the Phyllis Canal. More than 1.5 million pounds of rebar and over 36.6 million pounds of concrete are used in the bridge.
Work is expected to finish by the fall of 2014.
Idaho 44 (State Street) traffic near the intersection with Idaho 16 shifted to temporary paving on the south shoulder July 8. Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to two as crews rebuild this section of Idaho 44 in preparation for realignment and extension of Idaho 16.
Concrete guardrails will separate traffic from construction activities, and motorists are strongly encouraged to drive with caution. The speed limit is 45 mph.
For the portion of the project from Chinden to about 600 feet south of the Boise River, the new pavement base will be covered with one foot of concrete. The public will not be allowed to drive on it until the project finishes in the fall of 2014. Concrete paving will primarily take place at night.
On the bridge, crews continue to form and place concrete for the deck, and have completed placing eight of the 11 spans for the new deck. All of the deck has been placed for the spans over the river and north of it. Crews completed paving the asphalt pavement layer that the new concrete pavement will eventually be placed over. Concrete paving on the north side of the river is anticipated next year. Crews are also grading the shoulders and slopes of the new roadway, preparing it for topsoil placement.
Demolition work will continue through Aug. 10 to remove houses and trees from the new right of way along U.S. 20 (Chinden). At that point demolition will return to Idaho 44 through at least Aug. 24.
Traffic is shifted to the south around the work zone along Idaho 44 while crews reconstruct the roadway on the north side. Work also will begin clearing activities for the new local roads being constructed for residents in the areas to access Idaho 44.
Crews are installing parapet and center guardrail on the new bridge over Joplin Court Road and the Eureka Canal. They are also preparing for the start of placing the new concrete pavement from U.S. 20 (Chinden) to the south abutment of the new Boise River Bridge. Paving activities will take place at night to avoid hot, windy daytime conditions. Work will continue for the next several weeks. Crews anticipate placing at least 1,100 cubic yards of concrete per night.
GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) bonds allowed the Idaho Transportation Department to advance critical infrastructure improvements in vital corridors throughout the state.
Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, and Idaho Sand & Gravel, of Nampa, are the prime contractors on these projects. Knife River Const., of Boise and Nampa Paving are two of the main subcontractors for this work. The total construction cost is $38.94 million.
ADA COUNTY
EAST BOISE – Resurfacing on I-84 from milepost 60 to 70
The eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 84 at the Eisenman interchange closed Wednesday (July 31) at 10 p.m. and will remain that way through early September to allow crews to complete highway rehabilitation and resurfacing on the I-84 lanes in the area.
The ramp closure is not for work on the ramp itself, but is needed as crews have closed the eastbound freeway lanes near the on-ramp from milepost 59.8 to approximately milepost 70. In addition, eastbound traffic crosses to the westbound side in that stretch. The crossover is prior to the Eisenman on-ramp, where eastbound traffic getting on at the ramp would miss the crossover if the ramp is left open.
Traffic will be detoured from Eisenman via Federal Way and back to Gowen Road to return to I-84. One lane of traffic will be maintained at all times on I-84 throughout both directions of travel.
Work on the resurfacing, from Eisenman east to Mayfield at Exit 71, began early Monday morning and will continue through mid-November. This ramp closure will be in effect through early September, when traffic is switched to the westbound side. A detour will be announced when work commences on the westbound side.
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. The Blacks Creek Rest Area and the Port of Entry on the eastbound side will be closed as soon as traffic is switched to the westbound side, while the westbound facilities will remain open until the next traffic switch. At that time, the westbound facilities will close and the eastbound facilities will remain open.
Central Paving Co., of Boise, is the contractor on this $8.8 million project.
ADA COUNTY
EAGLE - State Street/Linder Road/Ballantyne Lane intersection work
This work is part of the department’s Idaho 44 improvement project from Linder Road to Ballantyne Lane. Crews are rebuilding the Idaho 44/Linder Road intersection and widening Idaho 44 to five lanes. The work will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow for smoother traffic flow.
The east- and westbound lanes of Idaho 44 shifted to the north side of the highway in late June so crews began rebuilding the south side. The traffic shift on Idaho 44 will be in place through September.
Flaggers directed traffic on Linder Road north and south of the Idaho 44 intersection on Wednesday (July 31) as crews paved the roadway on both sides of the intersection.
Central Paving, of Boise, is the contractor on this $9.23 million project.
ADAMS, WASHINGTON COUNTY
U.S. 95 resurfacing Manns Creek to Alpine Store
Sections of U.S. 95 totaling 31.1 miles, from Manns Creek to Shoepeg Road and Cambridge to the Alpine Store, will be resurfaced in a project this summer to extend the life of the road and improve traction for drivers.
The resurfacing started June 17, from milepost 87.5 to 108.9, and from 113.7 to 123.4. The route travels through Washington and Adams counties. Work is expected to finish by late August.
The work is part overlay and part CRABS (Cement Recycled Asphalt Base Stabilization). CRABS is an in-depth resurfacing method. The existing roadway is pulverized down to the gravel base, cement is added to the pulverized material, and finally a new layer of asphalt pavement is placed on top.
Crews have pulverized the existing roadway, have completed pavement milling, and are performing CRABS operations from milepost 114 (Cambridge) to 123.4. Pilot-car operations, reduced speed limits and width restrictions will continue through July 31. Paving began July 17 at Cambridge.
?More than 6,000 feet of guardrail will be replaced to meet current standards. The project also will include some improvements to bridge decks and the current drainage systems at Monroe Creek (milepost 88.3) on the southern end of the project area and 18 miles farther north at Keithly Creek (milepost 106.5).
Knife River Corp. Northwest, of Boise, is the contractor on this $6 million project.
BOISE COUNTY
Idaho 21 resurfacing to Lowman
A resurfacing project covering 20.4 miles of Idaho 21 in Boise County that began in 2012 resumed July 15. The project is expected to finish in mid-August.
Crews recently added a Stress-Absorbing Fiberglass Layer with Emulsified Asphalt (SAFLEA) on two adjoining sections of Idaho 21 (mileposts 52 to 60 and 60 to 73). A SAFLEA is a seal coat with a layer of glass fibers between the oil and the gravel aggregates to enhance durability and reduce cracking.
Crews will complete remaining work for the next few weeks.
The project runs from Mores Creek Summit to Clear Creek Bridge near Lowman. Crews completed paving and guardrail upgrades and stabilized slopes in the area last year before a winter shutdown.
One lane of travel will remain open, with flaggers and pilot cars guiding traffic. Crews will work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and will work until noon on Fridays. No work is allowed on the weekends.
Knife River Corp, of Boise, is the contractor on this $3.9 million project.
BOISE COUNTY
GARDEN VALLEY - South Fork Payette River Bridge
Crews started work in mid-July to replace the old bridge over the south fork of the Payette River near Garden Valley. The work is expected to last until December 2013 or January 2014.
The old bridge, located southwest of town, also called the Alder Creek Bridge or Silver Bridge, has a sufficiency rating of less than 50. Boise County is the local sponsor. The new bridge will be relocated upstream and the existing bridge will serve as a detour during construction.
ITD provided no input on the design phase of this project. Two open houses and a public hearing were held. Property owners, river-rafting companies and emergency responders were also contacted by phone and email.
Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company Inc., of Draper, Utah, is the contractor on this $2.3 million project.
This is an LHTAC (Local Highway Technical Assistance Council) project. ITD has oversight responsibility for this work.
CANYON COUNTY
CALDWELL – I-84 Business Loop
A section of the I-84 Business Loop in Caldwell is being resurfaced. The project started June 17. Three segments will be impacted – Cleveland Boulevard, Centennial Way and Blaine Street. Work is expected to finish in August.
The project also will address 44 ramps to make them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Crews are planning to work a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule Monday through Friday. Weekend work is not anticipated, but is not prohibited if necessary.
One lane of traffic will remain open during the work. Flaggers will be used on cross streets during milling and paving operations and to move equipment in and out of the work area. No pilot cars or temporary signals are expected.
The left side of Cleveland was paved Friday (July 26). Traffic has been moved to that side while additional concrete and soft-spot repair work is completed. Curb, gutter and upgraded pedestrian ramps are being placed on Blaine.
C & A Paving Co., of Boise, is the contractor on this $1.2 million project.
OWYHEE COUNTY
Murphy – Idaho 78, Scorpion Creek Bridge
A project to place a bridge over Scorpion Creek on Idaho 78 in Owyhee County continues. The south side of the bridge was built first, and work is progressing on the north side.
The new concrete slab bridge will replace three corrugated-metal culverts that run under the roadway at milepost 23. One culvert is completely plugged. The other two culverts are more than halfway filled with sediment from the creek. Water runs over the highway at that location during periods of high water, creating a safety hazard.
The new bridge addresses a safety concern with water spilling over the roadway every time Scorpion Creek floods, which is nearly an annual event. The new bridge, about six miles northwest of Murphy, will accommodate higher water levels. The roadway elevation also will be raised about two feet. The roadway approaches will be reconstructed to match the new height and the wider bridge.
No night or weekend work is anticipated but is not prohibited, if necessary, to finish the project on time.
One lane of traffic will be maintained across the bridge during construction, controlled by a temporary traffic signal. Flaggers will be used when needed.
Crews are backfilling around the abutments for Phase II work and placing rip rap. The last four girders were set Wednesday (July 31).
Knife River Corp. Northwest, of Boise, is the contractor on this $947,000 project.
PAYETTE COUNTY
FRUITLAND - SW 3rd Street; Iowa Avenue to Jct. U.S. 95
This Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) project is a reconstruction of the main street through old downtown. The pavement is old and excessively patched, sidewalks are deficient and there are drainage issues.
Phase 2 construction is under way, and should conclude in early August. The job is on schedule to finish by early October.
The city of Fruitland is the local sponsor.
Irvco Asphalt & Gravel, of Fruitland, is the contractor on this $2.25 million project.
VALLEY COUNTY
CASCADE – Bridge Replacement
Replacement of the North Fork Payette River Bridge in downtown Cascade continues. The bridgework will extend into late fall 2013.
This project will replace the old, narrow, width-restricted bridge built in 1933 with one more than twice as wide. The existing bridge is 24 feet wide, and will be replaced with a 60-foot wide, 393-foot long, three-span bridge. The new bridge will have two 12-foot lanes, two 11-foot shoulders and a 14-foot median.
In addition, a paved extension will be built to the dirt shared-use path under the bridge on the north side of the river that provides access from both sides of the bridge to the new riverside park. The short section under the west half of the new bridge has been graded, but has not yet been paved.
In the first stage, two-thirds of the new bridge will be built to the west of the existing structure. Traffic will be maintained on the existing bridge through this first stage of bridge work, and then will be routed to the new section of bridge for the remaining work as the old bridge is demolished. There will be traffic interruptions while the new roadway section leading to the new bridge is built.
From Monday through Thursday, work that limits drivers to one lane in each direction is only allowed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Two lanes will be maintained between noon Friday and noon Monday. A river safety and navigation plan will be in place for recreationists that use this section of the river.
Crews worked on forming wing walls and striping forms from the bent caps, abutment and Stage 1 deck this week. Girders are scheduled for three consecutive weeks beginning Aug 12.
Wadsworth Brothers Construction Co. Inc., of Draper, Utah, is the contractor on this $4.83 million project.
VALLEY COUNTY
CASCADE - Lakeshore Drive reconstruction
This upcoming project involves reconstructing and widening 1,400 feet of roadway from old State Highway Road to Caddy Lane utilizing city-owned right of way, as well as replacing sewer and water system utilities and adding a sidewalk on the east side. The total project will cover the area from Dam Road to Duffers Lane, approximately 1.15 miles.
Public Lands Highway Discretionary Program and City of Cascade funds are being used to build this project.
The contractor has completed all sewer services, and have completed installation of the 4-inch and 8-inch water mains to will begin flushing, disinfection, and testing starting Monday (Aug. 5). Crews are currently installing the 4-inch pressure sewer main and will perform the pressure test next week.
The contractor has completed approximately 90 percent of the roadway excavation, half of the embankment fill (the remainder will be done by Monday), and about 95 percent of compaction testing on trench backfill and embankment fill.
Crews will begin installing storm drains and French drains next week.
Granite Excavation, of Cascade, is the contractor on this $633,000 project. Work is expected to wrap up by September.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
WEISER – replacement of bridge over Weiser River
The replacement of a 78-year-old bridge over the Weiser River south of Weiser has begun, with several significant traffic impacts. The work on U.S. 95 is expected to be done by the end of this year.
Traffic is restricted to one lane across the bridge. North- and southbound traffic will alternate across the bridge, controlled by temporary signals at both ends of the structure.
Drivers are reminded to use patience during reconstruction and perhaps consider an alternate route, such as Oregon State Route 201 and the U.S. 95 Spur.
Traffic volume increases on U.S. 95 on weekends, so electronic message boards, both on the side of the highway and overhead on westbound I-84, will be used to alert motorists of bridge restrictions.
Crews plan to work Mondays through Fridays, but will be off the highway on weekends and holidays.
The two-lane bridge, one of 99 remaining on the state system built before 1936, will be replaced with a three-lane structure. The existing bridge has 26 feet of drivable width, but the new one will be expanded to 48. An average of 7,300 vehicles use the bridge daily. More than 100 million vehicle trips have been taken across the bridge during its lifetime.
In addition to replacing the aging bridge, crews also will reconstruct more than 500 feet of bridge approaches at the north and south ends.
The existing bridge has a sidewalk and two 13-foot lanes but no shoulders. The new bridge will have two 12-foot lanes and a 12-foot center turn lane. The project features a two-foot buffer next to the decorative bridge railing, a five-foot shoulder and a five-foot sidewalk on the west side. No bike lanes will be included in the project.
The new bridge will be 346 feet long and 55 feet wide, including the parapet.
Crews are demolishing the remainder of the old bridge. Construction is also beginning on Abutment 1 and Pier 1.
Braun-Jensen, of Payette, is the prime contractor on the $4.8 million project.
DISTRICTWIDE
Sign repair/replacement
Nearly 150 highway signs along southwest Idaho roads will be repaired as ITD performs annual sign repairs for the next several months. ITD is responsible for providing safe roads for Idaho motorists, which includes ensuring clear and understandable information by providing proper signage on roadways.
The signs to be repaired are located on Interstate 84 from the Oregon Border to just east of Mountain Home (milepost 0-121), on the Connector, U.S. 20/26 in Boise and on the U.S. 95 Spur in Fruitland.
Signs in Boise are done. Crews will move west, and then the project will return eastward.
Of the 149 sign locations to be upgraded, 73 sign locations are in need of total replacement of sign faces, posts and foundations. Another 76 will have new sign faces only.
Almost 26,000 square feet of signs will be repaired, with crews replacing damaged posts, replacing old sign bases with new break-safe sign bases, improving brackets and updating the reflectivity on sign panels where the paint has dulled.
Most of the work will be on the shoulder and will not require lane closures. All work that impacts traffic will be conducted overnight. No work will take place on the Connector during the evenings of home Boise State football games. Lane closures will be coordinated with special events if necessary.
This work will be done under a contract, as the sheer volume of sign repairs would overwhelm ITD’s five-man Sign Crew. Most of the signs are the original ones and have begun fading with age. ??The project is expected to finish by September.
Pavement Markings Northwest, of Boise, is the contractor on this $907,000 project.