6/27/2006
Road construction update for eastern Idaho, June 27-July 5
RIGBY - Construction on highway projects in eastern Idaho will be suspended over the Independence Day holiday from Monday afternoon July 3 through Thursday July 6, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Until then, U.S. 26 near Palisades Dam in eastern Idaho will continued to be closed at night for repairs. Pilot cars will be used to guide motorists through the construction at Craters of the Moon National Monument and on U.S. 93 north of Mackay. No work will be performed and the road will not be closed overnight during the week of July 2 6.
Here is a rundown of projects in eastern Idaho for June 27-July 5:
U.S. 26, Palisades Sheet Pile Wall - U.S. 26 near Palisades Dam at milepost 392 in eastern Idaho is closed for repairs from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights. Idaho Construction Co. is using a vibrating pile driver to install a metal retaining wall, known as a sheet pile wall, to keep the road from falling into the lake. Both traffic lanes are closed at night and opened to traffic during the day and on weekends. The work is expected to last through mid-August. An alternate route to Wyoming is Idaho 31 over Pine Creek Pass to Idaho 33 at Victor and on to Wyoming 22 over the Teton Pass to Jackson. Weight restrictions will apply on Teton Pass. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through the construction, but it may take 45 minutes to clear equipment from the roadway.
I-15, Sunnyside I-15 Interchange to I-15B - Concrete paving continues this week on the intersection at Sunnyside Road and Yellowstone Highway (U.S. 26/I-15B). Concrete work is also continuing on the new Snake River Bridge. Traffic at Sunnyside and Yellowstone is restricted to one lane in each direction with a four-way stop for traffic control. The public should use an alternate route to avoid the intersection. The $23 million project is scheduled for completion this fall.
I-15, China Point Snow Fence - Snow fence along the west side of I-15 north of Spencer between mileposts 176 and 178.5 will be complete in the next two weeks. It will help reduce snow drifting across the interstate during the winter. Croft Chimney Sweep of Idaho Falls is the contractor.
U.S. 93/20/16, Tom Cat Hill East - Travel is rough and dusty for more than 10 miles through the Craters of the Moon National Monument along U.S. 20/26/93. Pilot cars take traffic through one way at a time. Motorists can expect to lose up to 45 minutes of travel time getting through the work zone. Western Construction is building a new alignment of the highway for two miles and rebuilding 8.8 miles of roadway. Work will continue through September.
U.S. 93, Sportsmans Access Road to MP 122 - Paving will be underway this week on U.S. 93 north of Mackay from Sportsmans Access to Trail Creek Road. Traffic is guided through the work zone one way by pilot cars. Motorists are advised to obey all traffic control and slow down through the work zone. H-K Contractors of Idaho Falls, $1.8 million.
Idaho 33, Canyon Creek Bridge - Work has resumed on the new highway alignment for the new Canyon Creek Bridge at milepost 115.5 on Idaho 33 east of Newdale. No date has been determined for paving the roadway approaches to the new bridge, that was completed last fall. Zollinger Construction of Rexburg is the roadway subcontractor for Sletten Construction, the prime contractor from Great Falls, Mont., on the $4.3 million bridge replacement project.