9/8/2015
Intermittent delays on Idaho 55 Wednesday as crews finish placing girders for new North Fork Payette River Bridge
CASCADE – Drivers should prepare for delays on Idaho 55 near Cascade on Wednesday (Sept. 9). Traffic will be intermittently stopped between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. as crews place the final set of support beams, or girders, for the new North Fork Payette River Bridge.
While the girders are being set, traffic on Idaho 55 will be intermittently stopped in both directions at the bridge for periods of 20 to 45 minutes. Lane restrictions will be in place at the bridge and flaggers will direct traffic during this work.
“Once the girders are set, we will be nearing the final phase of construction,” said Idaho Transportation Department Project Manager Kelley Lower. “ITD anticipates the new bridge will be fully open for drivers and pedestrians by late September.”
Click here for a photo of the nearly complete bridge.
Since spring, crews have been constructing a new 250-foot-long concrete bridge that meets today’s standards for load and width. When complete, 16 girders will have been placed as part of rebuilding the North Fork Payette River Bridge. The previous bridge needed to be replaced because it was more than 65 years old and had outlived its design life.
“Ensuring Idaho’s bridge infrastructure can safely handle current and future traffic volumes is essential to sustaining mobility throughout the state,” said Lower.
The new North Fork Payette River Bridge includes two newly constructed lanes, shoulders and sidewalk. In addition, the roadway approaches have been rebuilt on both sides of the bridge.
To sign up for email construction updates text CASCADEBRIDGE to 22828, email comments@itd.idaho.gov, visit the project website at www.itd.idaho.gov/Projects/D3/ID55NorthForkBridge or call (208) 334-8938.