2/26/2014
Bridge and roadway maintenance focus of 2014 construction season
SHOSHONE – As colder weather subsides in the coming weeks, the roadway construction season will begin around the Magic Valley, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. Many sections of the state highway system will once again see orange barrels, flaggers and work crews.
Although the total number of projects in south-central Idaho is reduced from recent years, one theme will remain consistent throughout 2014 – bridge and roadway maintenance. These projects will present major impacts to traffic, but will largely be short in duration.
The majority of the maintenance projects will consist of pavement overlays and will include two areas of I-84 in eastern Cassia County, U.S. 26 between Bliss and the Malad River, U.S. 30 between Buhl and Filer and through the city of Hansen, and Idaho 24 south of Rupert. In addition, there will be about 130 miles of highway receiving chip-seal coats.
Bridge maintenance work will focus on preserving seven structures to increase life expectancy and perform safety upgrades. Bridge locations include the Gridley Bridge over the Snake River near Hagerman, the U.S. 93 Flyover between Twin Falls and Filer, and several locations along I-84.
Other work includes building a turn lane and acceleration lane on Idaho 50 at 3800 East Road south of the Hansen Bridge and installing a traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 26 and Idaho 46 on the south end of Gooding. In total, the work accounts for about $30 million of highway improvements.
One of the main projects will actually be completing 2013 work – Timber Way to Big Wood River Bridge on Idaho 75 south of Ketchum. In 2013, the majority of work was completed on the southbound lanes, but winter weather forced a construction shutdown. The project is expected to resume in May, with total project completion this year.
Additional work may be added throughout the summer. Several projects anticipated to take place in 2015 and 2016 have completed the design process and could be built this year if funding is secured.
Throughout the various construction projects, drivers are reminded to be cautious when traveling through construction zones, watch for workers and equipment, and be patient with workers and other drivers.
2014 PROJECT LOCATIONS (*Currently under construction)
I-84 Interchange 245 to Sweetzer Interchange, Cassia County
Interchange 228 to Interchange 245 westbound, Cassia County
I-86 Salt Lake Interchange to Raft River sealcoat, Cassia County
U.S. 26 Bliss to Malad River, Gooding County
Jct. Idaho 46 traffic signal, Gooding, Gooding County
U.S. 30 Buhl to Filer, Twin Falls County
Fourth Street to 3850 East, Hansen, Twin Falls County
Idaho 24 South of Rupert, Minidoka County
Idaho 50 Intersection 3800 East Road, Twin Falls County
*Idaho 75 Timber Way to Big Wood River Bridge, Blaine County
District-wide sealcoats on following routes and mileposts:
I-84 MP 137-149,181-194, 201-207
U.S. 30 MP 249-261
U.S. 93 MP 0-20, 58-66
Idaho 24 MP 44-65
Idaho 75 MP 74-82, 107-111
Bridge Deck Preservation
I-84 *Heyburn Interchange Bridge, Minidoka County
Eden Road Overpass, Jerome County
Union Pacific Bridge, East Bliss, Gooding County
Pasadena overpass, Elmore County
U.S. 30 Snake River Gridley Bridge, Twin Falls/Gooding County
Twin Falls Main Canal bridges (3), Twin Falls County
U.S. 93 Flyover at Pole Line Road, Twin Falls County
Idaho 74 Low Line Canal