5/3/2006
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for May 7-13
Following is the southwest Idaho highway construction report for May 7-13:
ADA COUNTY
Idaho 55 (Eagle Road), Jct. I-84 WB Off-Ramp to Franklin Road, Meridian
Traffic impacts are restricted to nighttime hours on this project to add a fourth lane to northbound Eagle Road between the I-84 off-ramp and Franklin Road. Northbound Eagle Road will have a dedicated right-turn lane added for motorists turning east onto Franklin. Idaho Sand & Gravel is the contractor for this $1.4 million project.
U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard), Hewlett-Packard main entrance to Joplin
Idaho Sand & Gravel will build this $6.9 million second part of a project to widen Chinden from three to five lanes between Joplin and Eagle Road. The final section, between Hewlett-Packard's main entrance and Cloverdale Road is scheduled to begin construction in 2007. During construction, the center turn lane will be eliminated and traffic limited to one lane in each direction. The east end of Joplin will be closed, but access will be maintained to all area businesses and residences. The project is expected to be complete this winter.
Blacks Creek Rest Area
Western Construction is the contractor on a $10.2 million project to rebuild this rest area, located about 10 miles east of Boise. The rest area will remain closed until the project is finished in winter 2006/2007.
BOISE COUNTY
Idaho 21, South Fork Payette River Bridge, Lowman
Traffic is restricted to one lane and is controlled by signal lights as work continues on this project. The work includes concrete deck rehabilitation, guardrail improvement and paving the approaches to the bridge. The project is expected to be complete this summer.
CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84, Karcher Interchange, Nampa
Central Paving Inc. is building this new I-84 Interchange in Nampa that is expected to open for traffic this winter. Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard is reduced to one lane in each direction near the intersection with Karcher Road. Karcher Road is closed between Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard and Nampa Boulevard. Access to all businesses and residences in the area is maintained throughout the $30 million project.
Idaho 55, Marsing to Sunnyslope curve
The roadway will be widened to five lanes with guardrail, irrigation, drainage facilites and a new canal bridge added in this three-mile section of Idaho 55. Motorists will be assisted through the work zone with traffic control devices and flaggers. Speed limits are reduced to 45 mph in the work zone. Idaho Sand & Gravel is the contractor for this $6.1 million project that will be finished in spring 2007.
VALLEY COUNTY
Idaho 55, Rainbow Bridge
One lane will be closed during rehabilitation work on the historic and often-photographed Rainbow Bridge over the Payette River north of Smiths Ferry. Mowat Construction Company will make improvements to the arch piers, bridge rail, floor beams, deck joints and columns of the bridge in this $2.9 million project expected to be complete this fall. Lane closures on the bridge will not occur on weekends, holidays or when scheduled community events will result in a considerable increase in traffic.