7/11/2006
Road construction update for eastern Idaho, July 11-18
RIGBY - Crews are back on the job after the Independence Day holiday. Motorists are advised to obey traffic control in work zones throughout eastern Idaho.
Work has begun on the approaches to the new Canyon Creek Bridge on Idaho 33 east of Newdale. Night-time closures have resumed on U.S. 26 near Palisades Dam, and seal coating will begin on U.S. 20 from Idaho Falls to Rigby, east of Teton and on Broadway in Idaho Falls.
Here is a rundown of projects in eastern Idaho for July 11-18:
U.S. 26, Palisades Sheet Pile Wall - U.S. 26 near Palisades Dam is closed Sunday through Thursday evenings from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. at milepost 392 (near Big Elk Creek) in eastern Idaho. Idaho Construction Co. is installing a metal retaining 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 zone, but it may take 45 minutes to clear equipment from the roadway.
I-15, Sunnyside I-15 Interchange to I-15B - Concrete paving continues on the intersection at Sunnyside Road and Yellowstone Highway (U.S. 26/I-15B) and 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. As much as possible, the public should use an alternate route to avoid the intersection. The $23 million project is scheduled for completion this fall.
U.S. 20/26, 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. Pilot cars will guide 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, Sportsman's Access Road to Milepost 122 - Paving is complete on U.S. 93 north of Mackay from Sportsman's Access to Trail Creek Road. A seal coat will be laid Thursday and Friday. Traffic is guided through the work zone one way by pilot cars. Motorists are advised to slow down through the work zone to avoid windshield damage. H-K Contractors of Idaho Falls is managing the $1.8 million project.
Idaho 33, Canyon Creek Bridge - Zollinger Construction has begun removing the asphalt pavement from the highway approaches to the Canyon Creek Bridge in preparation for paving the alignment for the new bridge at milepost 115.5 on Idaho 33 east of Newdale. Traffic will be one-way Monday through Thursday during working hours. Motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. A 12-foot width restriction will be in effect July 12-19.
Idaho 33, Teton East and West - A seal coat will be applied to Idaho 33 east of Teton starting Tuesday, July 18. Approaches to the highway will be seal coated first. Traffic will be guided through the project one way by pilot car.
U.S. 20, Idaho Falls to Rigby, Southbound - The southbound lanes of U.S. 20 from Science Center Drive in Idaho Falls to the south Rigby exit will be overlaid and seal coated. Work will begin Wednesday, and traffic will be restricted to one lane with a reduced speed limit of 45 mph.