7/29/2015
Reconstruction of Idaho 46 through Wendell nears midpoint
WENDELL – The full-width reconstruction of Idaho Street between Interstate 84 and the north end of town is nearly halfway finished, a milestone being marked this week with a traffic switch onto the rebuilt east side, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
When complete in late September, the project will rebuild and pave Idaho 46 from near the railroad tracks at the south end of Wendell to the north city limit, and replace sections of sidewalk and pedestrian ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
Construction this week will move to the west side of the roadway, as crews repave the north portion of the project and prepare for repaving Main Street in the coming weeks. Traffic will remain a single lane in each direction, with impacts to access points and business entrances.
Work includes excavating and repaving the north section of the project between Fourth Street and the north Wendell city limit. Motorists will drive on a gravel surface until paving is complete Friday.
Work on the west half of the roadway includes removing the asphalt surface and some sidewalk sections. The roadway and sidewalk will be closed, with limited access at business locations and city streets. Sidewalk repairs may also impact access to corner business entrances.
Drivers should be cautious when entering the roadway and drive carefully over the ramps onto adjacent curbs and roadways. A top layer of asphalt surface will be placed across the entire roadway following construction of the western half, expected in early September.
Resurfacing of West Main Street, which is a spur route of Idaho 46, is expected to begin in late August, with paving in September. Work on Main Street will entail base stabilization and repaving West Main Street between Idaho Street and I-84.
Idaho Materials and Construction (formerly Idaho Sand and Gravel), of Jerome, is the contractor for the $2.13 million project.