8/4/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
I-84 detours continue this week as blasting at Gowen nears halfway mark
BOISE – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will enter its eighth week of blasting around the Gowen Road Interchange this evening. To keep traffic a safe distance from the rock blasting, Interstate 84, the Gowen Interchange and Gowen Road will be closed from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday (Aug. 4–7).
During blasting, all traffic will be detoured off I-84 at the Broadway and Eisenman interchanges and onto Federal Way. Click here for a map of detour routes.
To accelerate construction and reduce the number of interstate closures for rock blasting, the Gowen eastbound I-84 on-ramp will remain closed through late August. Other ramps at the interchange will be closed intermittently from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the nights of rock blasting.
“Since mid-June, 21 blasts have been completed and more than 2,000 truckloads of rock have been excavated from the project site. We anticipate the blasting will continue for a couple more weeks,” said Merrill Sharp, ITD project manager. “Blasting activities have been an incredible effort, and ITD would like to thank drivers and the businesses in the Gowen area for their patience they’ve shown over the summer.”
Motorists should expect intermittent overnight lane restrictions on Gowen Road through late August. Lane restrictions will occur from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and through 7 a.m. on weekends. The lane restrictions will allow crews to deliver material, excavate rock and build the new east bridge over Gowen Road.
Flaggers will direct traffic during the detours, which are anticipated to be in place between two and four hours. Message boards have been placed throughout the area to alert motorists of the detour routes.
The work-zone speed limit is 25 mph on Gowen Road, 55 mph on I-84 and 45 mph on the Gowen Interchange eastbound exit lane.
For more information visit the project website at www.itd.idaho.gov/goweninterchange.
ITD is replacing the I-84, Gowen Interchange with one that accommodates additional traffic on I-84 and Gowen Road. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2015.
Knife River Corporation, of Boise, is the contractor for the $27 million I-84, Gowen Interchange project.