10/3/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Oct. 3-10
The following projects in southwest Idaho are now underway:
ADA COUNTY
Meridian, Broadway and Gowen interchange reconstructions (GARVEE)
Three major Treasure Valley interchanges are being reconstructed, as the Meridian, Broadway and Gowen structures get a facelift after nearly five decades, thanks to GARVEE. Work is expected to be complete by late fall 2015.
The current Broadway interchange was built in 1969 when approximately 8,850 vehicles traveled on Interstate 84 near Broadway Avenue. Today, 74,000 vehicles travel over, under, and on and off the Broadway interchange each day. Gowen interchange, also built in 1969, went from 5,650 vehicles on the interstate to 47,000 daily. Those numbers are expected to reach 149,000 (Broadway) and 127,000 (Gowen) by 2035.
The Meridian interchange has seen the most explosive growth, from a daily intersection total of 10,650 in 1966 (it was built in 1965) to 133,000 today.
In addition to reconstructing the interchanges, work will include widening I-84 under the Meridian interchange and adding a third lane in each direction between the Broadway and Gowen interchanges. Gowen Road also will be widened between S. Eisenman Road and Federal Way. The railroad bridges between Broadway and Gowen will be replaced and widened to make room for additional lanes.
A Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) design, similar to the structures at Ten Mile and Vista, will be used in the reconstruction of the Meridian Road Interchange. The new Broadway interchange also will be a SPUI design. A conventional diamond interchange will replace the current interchange at Gowen Road.
Projects were selected based on readiness, pavement condition, congestion and safety. The work will be funded with savings from GARVEE, as well as regular federal funds.
GARVEE has resulted in significant safety improvements on Idaho's highways - crashes have been reduced by 38 percent and serious injuries by 51 percent in corridors after GARVEE projects have been completed, despite nearly 46 million more miles driven.
I-84, Broadway Avenue Interchange
Construction is well underway on the Broadway interchange in east Boise. ITD is adding turn lanes on Broadway Avenue, replacing the bridge and ramps, and adding a third lane to I-84 between the Broadway and Gowen interchanges. The project is expected to be completed by late 2015.
The new east half of the interchange bridge is open to traffic. ITD has re-opened a northbound lane on Broadway Avenue south of the interchange to help reduce traffic congestion. Trucks are encouraged to use the Vista Avenue Interchange to access I-84.
The west half of the interchange bridge is currently under construction. Crews continue working in the median, installing storm-drain systems and building a median retaining wall.
Overnight lane restrictions will be in place over the next several weeks on I-84 east of the interchange from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be preparing for a traffic shift on I-84 and placing concrete in the median. Shoulders will be reduced in some areas of I-84.The work-zone speed limit on I-84 is 55 mph and 25 mph on Broadway Avenue.
Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the contractor on the $26.7 million project.
I-84, Gowen Road Interchange
Major construction is continuing at the Gowen interchange in east Boise. ITD will widen Gowen Road to five lanes, replace the bridge and ramps, improve turn lanes in the area, and add a third lane to I-84 between the Broadway and Gowen interchanges. The project is expected to be completed by late 2015.
The eastbound I-84 off-ramp will be closed at the Gowen interchange Saturday and Sunday nights (Oct. 4 and 5) from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Construction crews will be working through the weekend to place guardrail, stripe the roadway and shift traffic to a new temporary eastbound off-ramp. Traffic will be shifted to the temporary off-ramp while crews build the new eastbound ramp and rehabilitate the old bridge deck over the railroad tracks.
While the bridge is under construction, I-84 has been restricted to one lane in both directions from the Eisenman Road Interchange to just west of the Gowen interchange. Width restrictions (12 foot) are in effect on I-84. Detour routes are posted for over-width vehicles.
For the next several months, eastbound traffic must use a dedicated lane to exit I-84 at Gowen Road. The speed limit is 45 mph in the new dedicated eastbound I-84 exit lane and 55 mph on I-84. The speed limit is 25 mph on Gowen Road.
Knife River Corporation, of Boise, is the contractor on the $27 million project.
I-84, Meridian Road Interchange
Construction is progressing to replace the Meridian Road Interchange and improve Interstate 84 between Meridian and Five Mile roads.
Meridian Road will be widened to three through lanes in each direction between Central Drive and Overland Road with curb, gutter, sidewalks and bicycle lanes. The improved interchange will include dual left-turn lanes for each I-84 on-ramp and a central traffic signal.
On I-84 between Meridian and Five Mile roads, ITD will completely reconstruct the two outside lanes originally built in the 1960s. The inside lanes and storm-drain system in the median will be improved.
Major changes are coming to I-84 between Meridian and Five Mile roads.
Starting next week, one lane of westbound I-84 will cross over to the eastbound side of the median between Five Mile and Cloverdale roads. The crossover traffic pattern is anticipated to be put in place by Tuesday, Oct. 7. Initiation of this work is weather dependent.
Westbound drivers coming through the Wye Interchange will need to merge earlier than usual. The westbound crossover lane will be bordered with concrete barrier and barrels. Motorists who choose to use this lane will not be able to exit at the Eagle Road Interchange.
The eastbound I-84 crossover between Meridian and Cloverdale roads will be put in place next weekend (Oct. 10-12).
I-84 continues to be reduced to two lanes in both directions under the interchange from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the next month. Restrictions will remain in place until 7 a.m. on weekends. The restrictions are necessary for safety while crews work on the bridge. Traffic will be shifted each night as crews move from one end of the bridge to the other.
Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the contractor on the $50.8 million project.
ADA COUNTY
BOISE - Idaho 16 Extension, river crossing and local road connections (GARVEE)
Paving and striping on Idaho 44, Idaho 16 north of Idaho 44 and U.S. 20/26 is complete. Intermittent traffic shifts are expected on U.S. 20/26 and Idaho 44 while crews complete final work. The 2.5-mile extension of Idaho 16 over the Boise River opened Aug. 15.
Signs to guide vehicles and flaggers will be placed as needed through the construction zones to increase awareness and safety. Additionally, concrete barricades separate traffic from most construction activities. Speed-limit restrictions on Idaho 44 and Idaho 16 north of Idaho 44 have returned to 55 mph. In addition, speed-limit restrictions on U.S. 20/26 have recently been lifted, moving 45 mph to 55 mph. Motorists are strongly encouraged to drive with caution through construction zones. Please review the following to find out what is occurring in the different areas of the project.
South of U.S. 20/26, the new McDermott Road intersection is now open. The new alignment allows for right-in, right-out movements only to/from U.S. 20/26. Westbound U.S. 20/26 traffic cannot access McDermott, and McDermott traffic is not allowed to turn left on U.S. 20/26. Through southbound traffic from the new Idaho 16 alignment cannot continue to McDermott. These measures were implemented to prevent unnecessary and potentially disruptive traffic on McDermott, which is not a through street.
BOISE COUNTY
Idaho 21 resurfacing from Lucky Peak High Bridge to Robie Creek Road
A 4.7-mile piece of two-lane road from the High Bridge, at the turn to Spring Shores Marina, to the turn at Robie Creek Road, will be resurfaced in a CRABS project beginning July 7 and extending into the first week of October.
CRABS (Cement Recycled Asphalt Base Stabilization) involves pulverizing the existing roadway down to the gravel base, then adding cement to the pulverized material, and finally, placing a new layer of asphalt pavement over the top.
The work from milepost 17.3-22 also will include repairs to the existing drainage system, culvert cleaning and inspection, and replacement of substandard or damaged guardrail.
Idaho Sand & Gravel, of Nampa, is the contractor on this $1.8 million project.
CANYON COUNTY
NAMPA - I-84, UPRR E. Lateral Canal Bridge & Northside Blvd. Underpass
The temporary traffic shifts in Nampa’s Northside Boulevard area (Exit 35) are finished. Normal traffic flows and speed limits have resumed on the impacted stretch of Interstate 84, which includes the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Bridge and Northside Boulevard Overpass.
Painting for the Northside bridges as well as the epoxy coat on all four bridge decks has been completed. Painting crews are working on the UPRR bridge girders, with construction expected to be complete by mid-October.
The bridge decks on the westbound UPRR bridge and the eastbound Northside structure were replaced, while decks on the eastbound UPRR bridge and westbound Northside were repaired and sealed.
The Northside Boulevard Interchange is ranked eighth in the state in traffic volume, carrying 80,000 vehicles per day. Both bridges were built in 1966.
Granite Construction, of Salt Lake City, is the contractor for this $4 million project.
PAYETTE COUNTY
I-84 resurfacing from Oregon border to Black Canyon
The lanes of Interstate 84 from the Oregon state line to the Black Canyon Interchange at Exit 13 are being resurfaced. The work will result in a smoother driving surface for motorists.
In this mill-and-inlay pavement rehabilitation on both sides of the freeway — westbound lanes will be done first, followed by the eastbound lanes — crews will mill out about three inches of pavement in the right lanes. It will then be sealed with a fiberglass pavement reinforcing fabric to prevent existing cracks from spreading upward to the new surface.
The entire roadway will be sealed with a SALSA (Stress Absorbing Layer of Straight Asphalt) to help keep the new pavement flexible. Then the entire roadway will receive three inches of new Hot Mixed Asphalt (HMA) pavement. A section of I-84 eastbound from the Snake River Bridge to milepost 0.9 will be reconstructed to repair soft-base conditions under the existing pavement.
The ramps at Exit 3 (Fruitland) and at Exit 9 (New Plymouth) also will be overlaid.
Early last month, traffic was shifted to the westbound lanes and the contractor started work on the eastbound side. Most of the rehabilitation of the eastbound lanes was completed.
It is anticipated work on the eastbound lanes will be completed in early October, with substantial completion of the project immediately following. The project is expected to last through mid-October.
The rest area eastbound on I-84 at milepost 1 will be closed from Sept. 2 through Oct. 15 while the eastbound lanes are resurfaced. Only resident and construction traffic will be allowed on I-84 eastbound in this area.
While lane closures are in effect, the speed limit will be reduced to 65 mph. Currently, both directions of travel are on the same side of the freeway.
Crews are working a Monday-through-Friday schedule, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. A 14-foot width restriction is in effect.
Western Construction, of Boise, is the contractor on this $9.6 million project.
VALLEY COUNTY
McCALL – Lardo Bridge Replacement
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 will 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 lin mid-October.
The lateral slide, accelerated construction method being used on Lardo Bridge is the first to occur in Idaho by ITD. This method reduces a full closure of the bridge by months.
The construction/design contract is for $3.64 million.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
CAMBRIDGE - Replacement of U.S. 95 Creek Bridge
Work is wrapping up on a project to replace the old short-span Creek Bridge on U.S. 95 about seven miles north of Cambridge. The project is expected to finish in mid-October.
The Creek Bridge, at milepost 120.6, is the oldest structure on the state highway system, built in 1918. The bridge is in poor condition. The existing bridge, which is 14 feet in length and 34 feet wide, will be replaced by a pipe culvert with a 72-inch diameter measuring 56 feet in length.
Knife River Construction Northwest, of Boise, is the contractor on this $350,000 project.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
PAYETTE - Idaho 52 railroad overpass replacement
Rehabilitation and resurfacing the railroad overpass on Idaho 52 in Payette continues.
The bridge-deck surface is potholed, with worn bridge joints. Crews will rehabilitate the deck of the overpass, built in 1962, to create a better driving surface, remove lead paint and repaint the railing. After the initial set-up of equipment and concrete barriers, one lane of traffic will be open in each direction.
Crews expect to work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.
Work continues on lead-based paint removal, rail-repair work, painting and deck rehabilitation. The project is expected to finish in mid-November.
Braun-Jensen Inc., of Payette, is the contractor on this $1.3 million project.