8/23/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Aug. 23-30
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.
Concrete guardrails will separate traffic from construction activities, and motorists are strongly encouraged to drive with caution. The speed limit is 45 mph.
On the Boise River bridge, crews continue paving concrete on the south side of the river. On the local roads associated with the project, crews are preparing to install traffic signal poles and equipment for the intersections. For the portion of the project from Chinden to about 600 feet south of the Boise River, the public will not be allowed to drive on it until the project finishes in the fall of 2014.
Idaho 44 (State Street) traffic near the intersection with Idaho 16 shifted to temporary paving on the south shoulder in early July. Traffic is reduced from three lanes to two as crews rebuild this section of Idaho 44 in preparation for realignment and extension of Idaho 16.
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 Construction, of Boise, and Nampa Paving are two of the main subcontractors for this work. The total construction cost is $38.94 million.
ADA COUNTY
KUNA - warranty repair work on Meridian Road
"Crews will repair
approximately five of the six miles of highway from the failed seal coat
last summer," said ITD Project Manager David Barrett. "The original
work was under warranty, so these repairs are being done at no
additional cost to taxpayers."
The road, which is Idaho 69, was seal coated between Interstate 84 and Kuna late last summer.
The area will be swept at night to remove excess rock chips.
Flaggers
will be used at intersections, with the speed limit reduced to 45 mph.
Flaggers will only be used in the two-mile section crews are working on
at the time. Outside of that two-mile stretch, traffic will be shifted
back onto the repaired sections behind the crews as work progresses, and
all lanes will be open ahead of the work. The speed-limit restriction
will be in place throughout the project zone.
Heading south on Idaho 69, average daily traffic drops from about 23,000 at Overland to about 5,500 at Kuna Road.
The
contractor, Sierra Nevada Construction, of Sparks, Nev., has completed
repairs on U.S. 20 north of Mountain Home, portions of Interstate 84 at
the Eisenman interchange, a section of Idaho 21, and on a portion of
U.S. 30 in New Plymouth.
ADA COUNTY
WEST BOISE – Idaho 44 and U.S. 20/26 micro-seals
About on and one-half miles of Idaho 44 and four miles of U.S. 20/26 will be micro-sealed from today (Friday, Aug. 16) through early September.
Crews will work an overnight (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) schedule seven days per week, but no work will be allowed on Glenwood Drive during the Western Idaho Fair. In addition, no work will take place on Front and Myrtle until after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights or early mornings to avoid downtown activities.
The contractor is working on Broadway, Front and Myrtle, and is expected to finish with those areas by this weekend. Crews will begin micro-sealing on State and Glenwood streets starting Monday night (Aug. 26).
At least one lane will remain open in each direction on the two highways. Flaggers will direct traffic at the intersections, and there could be as long as a 10-minute delay as crews work through the intersections. Drivers may need to find alternate routes. Portable message signs will be used to alert motorists to the work.
The upcoming micro-seal is comparable to a seal coat but is premixed and applied as a slurry. The micro-seal is often used in higher-traffic areas in place of a seal coat, intended to protect and extend pavement life and provide improved vehicle traction.
Intermountain Slurry Seal, of Salt Lake City, is the contractor on this $1.1 million project.
ADA COUNTY
EAST BOISE – Resurfacing on I-84 from milepost 60 to 70
ITD wants the public to be aware that construction activities on Interstate 84 east of Boise, between the Eisenman and Mayfield exits, have moved traffic over to one side of the interstate for one-lane travel in both directions until just before Thanksgiving.
The Blacks Creek Rest Area on the eastbound side is closed until Labor Day, as are the eastbound on-ramps from Eisenman and Blacks Creek. The detour for these closed ramps takes drivers west to the Gowen Road Interchange to put them back on the eastbound freeway.
In addition, the port of entry is closed on the eastbound side, and a 14-foot width restriction is in effect.
After Labor Day, the eastbound rest area will reopen, but the westbound Blacks Creek Rest Area and the Eisenman and Blacks Creek off-ramps will be closed until just before Thanksgiving.
The area to the east of the port of entry has been milled and inlayed. The area between the Blacks Creek on-ramp and the eastbound port of entry also has been treated and overlaid with warm-mix asphalt.
ITD also reminds drivers of ongoing blasting in the I-84 median in the same general area. The blasting, which is flattening rock outcroppings to improve driver safety, will conclude by mid-September.
Paving is nearly complete from the eastbound Eisenman Road on-ramp (milepost 60) to the beginning of the port of entry (milepost 65.7). Work continues on the weigh-in-motion scale and slab upgrade. Paving east of the POE should be completed by Monday, after which, crews will push to get traffic control ready to shift traffic the night of Sept. 8 or early the following morning.
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.
A second layer of pavement is planned in early September, right after Labor Day. Currently, the contractor is performing pipe work on the south shoulder of Idaho 44 and widening Linder Road. The project should be done by the end of October.
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. Resurfacing continues from milepost 106 to 109 this week.
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.
Overlay paving continues from milepost 95 to 109. Approach paving and guardrail installation continues from Cambridge to Alpine Store. Crews conducted approach paving and some shoulder work last weekend to minimize disruption to traffic.
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
GARDEN VALLEY - South Fork Payette River Bridge
Crews started work 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.
The first shaft was drilled and concrete was placed in early August. Drilling continues on the north side of the bridge.
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. Three segments will be impacted – Cleveland Boulevard, Centennial Way and Blaine Street. Work is expected to finish later 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.
The contractor is working on pavement markings. Crews also are grinding down the lips of the pedestrian ramps and paving in front of pedestrian ramps, curb and gutter.
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 will be built first, then 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.
The contractor is planning to repair the parapet this week. Paving is expected late this week or next.
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.
Traffic was switched to the current configuration in early August. Work is expected to continue until the first week of 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.
The last girders were set this week, and the first of the intermediate diaphragms were poured. Crews also worked on forming the two remaining wing walls. Next week, they will continue with intermediate diaphragms and pour the wing walls.
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.
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.
The contractor has been removing the last of the old bridge and constructing forms for the pier cap for Pier 1, Stage 2. Next week, crews will place the concrete for the pier cap and begin excavating for Pier 2.
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.
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.