4/10/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Meridian interchange construction begins Sunday night
MERIDIAN – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) reminds motorists to watch for lane restrictions and speed-limit changes as construction begins Sunday night (April 13) at the Meridian Road Interchange.
Lanes will be restricted on Interstate 84 under the Meridian Road Interchange from 10 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. the following morning. Overnight lane restrictions on I-84 will continue through the end of April. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph in the work zone on I-84. The speed limit on Meridian Road will remain 45 mph, but be reduced to 35 mph later in the project.
ITD is replacing the interchange with a Single-Point Urban Interchange, similar to the one at Ten Mile Road. The new interchange will accommodate higher traffic volumes and more lanes on Interstate 84.
The project includes widening the interstate to four lanes in both directions under the interchange and rebuilding I-84 between Meridian Road and Five Mile Road. Meridian Road also will be widened and dual left-turn lanes will be added for each I-84 ramp. The I-84, Broadway and Gowen interchanges in Boise are also being replaced at the same time.
ITD Project Engineer, Jayme Coonce, said that during the project it will be very important for all motorists to slow down and pay attention in the work zone.
“Please leave early if you are traveling on I-84 because the Meridian, Broadway and Gowen interchanges are now all simultaneously under construction,” Coonce said. “Moving interstate traffic safely through the Treasure Valley will rely on drivers planning ahead and being extra cautious.”
Construction is expected to be completed by late fall 2015. To sign up for email construction updates, contact ITD at comments@itd.idaho.gov, visit the project website at www.itd.idaho.gov/MeridianInterchange or call (208) 334-8005.
The project will be funded with savings from the GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) Transportation Program, as well as regular federal funds. 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.
Concrete Placing Co. Inc., of Boise, is the contractor on this $50.8 million project.