10/28/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Idaho 44 traffic shift will occur Wednesday night (Oct. 30)
BOISE – Paving on the south side of Idaho 44 (State Street) near Idaho 16 is under way in preparation for a traffic shift scheduled for Wednesday night (Oct. 30), the Idaho Transportation Department announced. This construction is part of the extension of Idaho 16 between Idaho 44 and U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard), scheduled for completion next fall.
After the Thursday-morning shift is completed, all traffic will use the south side of Idaho 44 through the construction zone as paving occurs on the north side in early November.
Concrete barricades will separate traffic from most construction activities, and motorists are strongly encouraged to drive with caution through construction zones. All Idaho 44 work is expected to be complete next month, at which time crews will begin reconstruction on U.S. 20/26.
Earlier this month, Idaho 16 traffic shifted to its new alignment with Idaho 44, west of the previous alignment. The old Idaho 16 intersection at Idaho 44 is closed and being demolished. Additionally, the west access to Moon Valley Road and Nightshade Place from Idaho 44 is permanently closed at the old Idaho 16 intersection. Local access to those roads can be made at Short Lane, Palmer Lane and the east access of Moon Valley on Idaho 44.
The 2.5-mile extension of Idaho 16 over the Boise River, from Idaho 44 to U.S. 20/26 will not be open to traffic until the project is completed.
GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) bonds are funding this project, and allowed ITD to advance critical infrastructure improvements throughout the state.
Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, and Idaho Sand & Gravel, of Nampa, are the prime contractors on the projects. Knife River Const., of Boise and Nampa Paving are two of the main sub-contractors. The total construction cost is $38.94 million.