4/14/2006
Highway construction projects to create smoother, safer drive
COEUR D'ALENE - The return of warmer weather and longer sunlight hours also marks the beginning of Idahos highway construction activities, announced the Idaho Transportation Department.
Motorists may encounter a number of new construction projects, highway maintenance, rehabilitation and bridge work throughout the region, said Scott Stokes, District 1 engineer in Coeur dAlene.
"Our goal is to provide safe, efficient transportation and a pleasant driving experience," Stokes said. "It is important that motorists watch for work zones and follow posted speed limits and any directional signs. Work zones can be hazardous both to construction workers and to drivers so extra caution and special attention are essential."
Among the major construction projects under way or planned for northern Idaho this summer are:
I-90, Pavement Striping
Estimated cost: $231,000
Estimated re-start: June 2006
Estimated completion: June 2006
This project will stripe selective segments of I-90 from Washington to Montana state lines with Methyl Methacrylate, sometimes known as Durastripe. This longer lasting product will be used on the center skip line, the edge lines and off- ramp tapers. This has been a recurring project for the past several years.
I-90, Washington State Line to Sherman Ave. - Resurfacing
Estimated cost: $4.2 million
Estimated start: June 2006
Estimated completion: October 2006
This 15-mile project involves milling out 3.5 inches of old asphalt and inlaying an equal depth of new asphalt pavement. This project is proposed as nighttime work to minimize inconvenience to the traveling public and the area.
I-90, Government Way Under Pass - Bridge replacement
Estimated cost: $2.7 million
Started: July 2005
Estimated completion: September 2006
This project replaces the existing two-lane concrete structure with a new five-lane steel girder structure. The new structure will increase the vertical clearance beneath the structure on I-90 from 14.5 to 17 feet and add illumination and bike/pedestrian pathways along Government Way.
I-90, Blue Creek Bay Bridge Bridge deck rehabilitation
Estimated cost: $2 million
Estimated start: June 2006
Estimated completion: November 2006
This project will remove the top two inches of the concrete deck and replace it with a silica fume concrete inlay. All the transverse expansion joints will also be replaced as part of this project.
The deck repair will be on the east third of the eastbound lane and the entire westbound lane. The project requires 15-foot lane restrictions in both directions of travel. A portion of this work was completed in 2005.
I-90, Wolf Lodge East to Cedars - Resurfacing
Estimated cost: $4.9 million
Estimated start: July 2006
Estimated completion: October 2006
This eight-mile project involves resurfacing I-90 by milling out segments of pavement and inlaying an equal depth of asphalt pavement in some sections and overlaying other sections with asphalt pavement.
I-90 Business Loop, Wallace Business Loop - Resurfacing
Estimated cost: $689,000
Estimated start: June 2006
Estimated completion: July 2006
This 1.5-mile project consists of repairing soft spots in the ballast section, milling the full width of the pavement several inches to correct the profile, and repaving with three inches of asphalt. Work also includes construction of a short length of sidewalk on the west end of the project.
Idaho 97, Harrison Bridge Bridge replacement
Estimated cost: $12.6 million
Started: November 2005
Estimated completion: October 2007
This project will replace a weight-, width- and height-restricted steel truss structure north of the city of Harrison. The new steel girder bridge will be a wider two-lane, four-span structure.
Idaho 97, Beauty Bay Bridge Bridge replacement
Estimated cost $1 million
Estimated start: November 2006
Estimated completion: September 2007
This project will replace a weight- and width-restricted wood member bridge with a wider two-lane concrete structure.
U.S. 95, Worley to Setters Stage 1 New roadway construction
Estimated cost: $28.5 million
Estimated start: October 2006
Estimated completion: October 2008
This 6.5-mile project entails construction of a new four-lane divided roadway and a new grade-separated interchange for Idaho 53 and U.S. 95. This project will provide turn bays for the intersecting county roads along with illumination at the turn bays.
The project is part of a continuing effort to improve over 30 miles of U.S. 95 from Setters to Mica Flats.
U.S. 95, Setters to Belgrade Stage 1 New roadway construction
Estimated cost: $17 million
Started: April 2004
Estimated completion: October 2006
This five-mile project entails constructing a new divided 4-lane roadway from Lake Creek to Fighting Creek. A new concrete girder bridge will be built over Fighting Creek. Turn bays for the intersecting county roads and illumination at the turn bays will be provided.
U.S. 95, Setters Rd to Bellgrove Stage 2 New roadway construction
Estimated cost: $34.8 million
Started: April 2005
Estimated completion: October 2007
This 4.5-mile project will construct a new divided four-lane roadway from Setters to Lake Creek. The new roadway is east of existing U.S. 95 and consists of a concrete girder bridge for an underpass at Bitter Rd. and a large steel girder bridge spanning Lake Creek. This project will provide turn bays for the intersecting county roads along with illumination at the turn bays.
U.S. 95, Spokane River Bridge Expansion joint replacement
Estimated cost: $142,000
Estimated start: July 2006
Estimated completion: July 2006
This project will replace expansion joints on the bridge.
Mosquito Creek Bridge, Clark Fork Roadway realignment and bridge replacement
Estimated Cost: $2.1 million
Estimated Start: May 2006
Estimated Completion: May 2007
This project will of realign a portion of Idaho 200 east of Clark Fork (mile posts 55.416-55.66) and replace Mosquito Creek Bridge. Motorists can expect minor delays when construction requires that traffic be restricted to a single lane.
Long Bridge Pedestrian/Bike Underpass
Estimated Cost: $318,000
Estimated Start: Uncertain
Estimated Completion: Requires completion before June 2007
This work consists of constructing a pedestrian and bicycle path along each side of U.S. 95 south of Sandpoint. Bids were opened on March 21. The sole bid was significantly above the Engineers estimate requiring Transportation Board approval before awarding. It appears unlikely the award will be made before the lake level is raised to summer elevation. Much of the work must be done during low water, approximately November through April.
Bridge Street Pedestrian Widening
Estimated Cost: $980,000
Estimated Start: Uncertain
Estimated Completion: Uncertain
This work consists of constructing a 305.5-foot multispan, precast concrete pedestrian bridge across Bridge Street in Sandpoint. The new bridge will provide a wide, safe route for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Sand Creek and remove the need for pedestrians and motorists to jointly use the existing bridge. This project is being sponsored by the city of Sandpoint.
St. Maries, South
Estimated Cost: $1.7 milliion
Estimated Start: Between May 15 and June 15, 2006
Estimated Completion: 65 Working Day Contract
This work consists of pavement rehabilitation on Idaho 3 between mile posts 76.882 and 84.201 near St. Maries. The project also includes an asphalt overlay and guardrail end treatment upgrades.
Mashburn Railroad Bridge, Benewah Co.
Estimated Cost: $1.2 million
Estimated Start: Before August 1, 2006
Estimated Completion: 80 working days after start of project
This work consists of a total superstructure replacement, which includes new girders, eight-inch deck, concrete parapet, new bearing pads, concrete approach slabs, and guardrail replacement.
U.S. 95, mile post 536 to Idaho/Canada Border & Lower Eastport Moyie River Bridge, Boundary Co.
Estimated Cost: $12.9 million
Estimated Start: April 2006
Estimated Completion: July 2007
The work under this contract consists of the realignment and reconstruction of U.S. 95 just south of the Canadian Border at Eastport, including a railroad grade-separation structure and a bridge over Moyie River.
Local, Huetter Rd; Hayden Ave. to Lancaster - Resurfacing
Estimated cost: $673,000
Estimated start: July 2006
Estimated completion: August 2006
This 1.5-mile project will pave the existing gravel road.
Local, Seltice Way; Seltice Way Bridge over UPRR/Seltice Way Road
Estimated cost: $2.8 million
Estimated start: February 2006
Estimated completion: November 2006
This 0.7-mile bridge replacement and roadway reconstruction project involves replacing the two-lane concrete bridge structure over the UPRR tracks with a new five-lane concrete structure and widening the roadway to five lanes to match the existing roadway segments at Northwest Boulevard where Seltice turns into a divided four-lane highway. Improvements include curb and gutter, and illumination.
Local, Prairie Avenue; Hutter Road to Ramsey Road - Reconstruction
Estimated cost: $3.8 million
Estimated start: April 2006
Estimated completion: November 2006
This two-mile project will reconstruct Prairie Avenue from two lanes to a five-lane roadway. The improvement will include curb and gutter, sidewalk and pathways, illumination, and a signal at the intersection of Atlas Road and Prairie Avenue.
Local, Government Way; Honeysuckle Avenue to Miles Avenue -Reconstruction
Estimated cost: $673,000
Estimated start: August 2006
Estimated completion: September 2007
This 1.5-mile project will reconstruct Government Way from a two-lane to a three-lane roadway. The improvement will include curb and gutter, sidewalk, and illumination.
Local, Fairfield RD; Plummer to Washington - Resurfacing
Estimated cost: $2.4 million
Estimated start: June 2006
Estimate completion: October 2006
This nine-mile project, sponsored by Plummer Gateway Highway District, will consist of processing cement into the existing gravel roadway and paving with a full-length asphalt surface. This work will also include some minor grading to improve the profile of the roadway, providing for better water drainage.
Travel Safe. Travel Smart. Dial 511 for 24-hour travel conditions or log onto the ITD Web site at 511.idaho.gov.