5/27/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Construction starts June 2 on pair of aging Nampa bridges
NAMPA - A pair of bridges will be improved in Nampa starting Monday (June 2), as crews begin work on the aging Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) E. Lateral Canal Bridge and the Northside Boulevard Overpass with Interstate 84 at Exit 35.
The Idaho Transportation Department expects this to be a six-month project, finishing in December.
Northside Boulevard will initially be reduced from five lanes to three — one in each direction with a center turn lane — through the project area. This configuration will remain in place through mid-July.
The bridge decks on the westbound UPRR bridge and the eastbound Northside structure will be replaced, while decks on the eastbound UPRR bridge and westbound Northside will be repaired and sealed. Both bridges were built in 1966.
The Northside interchange is ranked 8th in the state in traffic volume, carrying 80,000 vehicles per day.
This project will feature unique traffic shifts through the construction zone (mileposts 34.9-35.2). Eastbound and westbound lanes have separate bridge structures - two lanes in each direction. To safely conduct construction activities on the eastbound structures, traffic will be reduced to one lane, shifting the other eastbound lane to the westbound bridge, separated from the two westbound lanes by concrete barricades. The reverse will occur when construction activities shift to the westbound structures. Nighttime and weekend work is anticipated.
Click here for pictures of the westbound UPRR structure and eastbound Northside structure.
“The deck replacements will use an Accelerated Bridge Construction technique involving full-depth precast concrete deck panels that will be a first for Idaho,” said ITD Bridge Engineer Matt Farrar. “By doing this, we can reduce the time and impact to the traveling public, and extend the lives of these bridges.”
ITD will provide critical up-to-date information to the impacted public throughout construction. Project representatives will communicate with key stakeholders, businesses and property owners before and during the project.
ITD staff and the contractor met April 15 with Nampa City to explain traffic impacts.
Granite Construction, of Salt Lake City, is the contractor for this $4 million project.