2/25/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Broadway interchange construction begins with overnight lane restrictions on I-84
BOISE – Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions near the Broadway Avenue Interchange on Interstate 84 this week. The interchange was built in 1969 when approximately 8,850 vehicles traveled on I-84 near Broadway Avenue. Today, 70,000 vehicles travel over, under, and on and off the Broadway interchange each day.
One lane of I-84 in each direction will be closed from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. near the interchange through Friday (Feb. 28), the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The speed limit will drop to 55 mph on I-84 and 25 mph on Broadway Avenue.
ITD will replace the old interchange with a new one that will accommodate higher traffic volumes and more lanes on I-84. The initial work this week includes removing the overhead sign structures and metal guardrail in the area. Temporary exit signs will be placed during construction.
ITD Project Engineer, Dana Weiss, said construction is expected to begin in March on the nearby Gowen Interchange, which will also be replaced. I-84 will be widened to three lanes in both directions between the two interchanges.
“We’re working hard to keep traffic moving through the work zone over the next 18 months, and we need drivers to help us by planning ahead,” Weiss said.
Broadway Avenue and I-84 are both open during construction, although overnight detours will be scheduled on rare occasions later in the project.
Construction updates will be sent via email to interested parties, and also posted on the project website at www.itd.idaho.gov/BroadwayInterchange. To sign up for email construction updates, contact ITD at comments@itd.idaho.gov, visit the project website, or call (208) 334-8005.
The Broadway interchange reconstruction is expected to be completed by late 2015.
GARVEE has resulted in significant safety improvements on Idaho's highways - crashes have been reduced by 38 percent, serious injuries by 51 percent and fatalities by 89 percent in corridors after GARVEE projects have been completed, despite nearly 46 million more miles driven.