9/9/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
First girders of McCall's new Lardo Bridge to be set Thursday, causing lane closures and delays
BOISE –The first three girders for the new Lardo Bridge in McCall on Idaho 55 are expected to be set on the temporary foundation Thursday (Sept. 11), the Idaho Transportation Department announced. These first three girders will be set on the far north side of the
temporary structure, with the remaining three girders to be set next week.
The 157-foot girders will be transported to McCall using Idaho 95, and then Idaho 55 over the Goose Creek pass. The pass will close to northbound traffic from milepost 149-153 for approximately 40 minutes while the oversized load navigates the curves. Southbound traffic lanes will remain open, but travelers should expect slow conditions. Traffic will be guided by flaggers, and the closure is expected to occur early afternoon.
Once the girders arrive in McCall, traffic on Lardo Bridge will be reduced to a single lane under flagger control. Girders will be set one at a time. There will be three separate 15– to- 20-minute closures of Lardo Bridge while the girders are set into place. Single-lane operations will continue between each full-closure period. It will take approximately two to three hours to complete the operation.
ITD is replacing the 83-year old Lardo Bridge on the southwest shore of Payette Lake. Ralph L. Wadsworth and Lochner used ITD’s conceptual design to complete the bridge design and build a new bridge that will accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction along with bicycle and pedestrian facilities on each side of the bridge.
The new bridge is being constructed north of the existing structure. By using an accelerated construction technique called a lateral slide, the new bridge will eventually be slid into place after the old bridge is demolished. This will require a full closure, during which traffic will be detoured to Boydstun Street and Deinhard Lane. The Lardo Bridge closure is anticipated later this fall.
The lateral slide, accelerated construction method being used on Lardo Bridge is the first to occur in Idaho. This method reduces a full closure of the bridge by months.
ITD is fully funding this project through the State Highway System Restoration Program, which is reimbursed with a share of Idaho's federal-aid highway funds. The total cost for the project is approximately $5 million. The construction/design contract is for $3.64 million and the remaining amount includes project development and administration.