9/30/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Major traffic changes to eastbound I-84 near Meridian start this weekend, accessing Eagle off-ramp requires early action
MERIDIAN – Weather permitting, a new traffic pattern begins this weekend on eastbound Interstate 84 between Meridian and Five Mile roads, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced. The traffic pattern will be in place until this winter, allowing crews to rebuild the decades-old outside lanes and shoulders of I-84.
One lane of eastbound I-84 will cross over to the westbound side of the median between Meridian and Cloverdale roads. The crossover traffic pattern is anticipated to be put in place overnight Saturday and Sunday, (Oct. 4-5), with completion planned prior to the Monday morning commute. The eastbound crossover lane will be separated from opposing traffic and
will not have access to the Eagle Road Interchange. Motorists will need
to stay in the right lane to access the Eagle interchange.
The change will give crews enough room to remove the original 1960s-era
concrete from the outside lanes and shoulders and put in a new roadway
base, gravel and concrete surface.
To view a map of the crossover, click here.
“Using crossovers allows ITD to keep three lanes of traffic open in both directions, but commute times will continue to be longer than usual,” said Project Engineer Jayme Coonce. “We are asking everyone to leave early, slow down and pay attention in the work zone.
Later in the project, a similar crossover pattern will be in place for westbound I-84 between Cloverdale and Five Mile roads.
Additional lane restrictions will continue on I-84 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and continue until 7 a.m. on weekends.
ITD is reconstructing the Meridian interchange and improving I-84 between Meridian and Five Mile roads. The project also includes rebuilding the drainage system in the median and resurfacing the inside lanes.
Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the contractor for the $50.8 million project. Construction is expected to be completed in late 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.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: Representatives from the Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho State Police and Meridian Police Department will be available to answer media questions about the upcoming I-84 traffic changes on Thursday (Oct. 2) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The media event will be held at the Roaring Springs dirt parking lot off Black Marlin Lane in Meridian. Click here for a map. Media interviews will be arranged on a first-come, first-served basis.