10/8/2015
Idaho 55 will close between New Meadows and McCall for two evenings next week (Oct. 14 and 15)
BOISE – Next week, crews will blast rock on a section of Idaho 55 between New Meadows and McCall, known as Goose Creek Grade. Each blast will require Idaho 55 to be fully closed in both directions in the project area for several hours.
Blasting will occur next Wednesday and Thursday evenings (Oct. 14 and 15) at one curve along the highway. Both nights, Idaho 55 will be closed between McCall and New Meadows from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The schedule for this work is weather-dependent, and may be adjusted if conditions are inclement.
“No traffic will be allowed through the work zone while rock is being blasted,” said ITD Construction Coordinator Jim Hoffecker. “ITD urges drivers to plan up to three hours of extra time if you are traveling between McCall and New Meadows during this work.”
ITD is blasting to excavate rock from the mountainside of Goose Creek Grade. The work is part of a project to improve the alignment of four curves on this section of Idaho 55.
“At this particular curve, the mountainside will be shaved back about 12 feet,” said Hoffecker. “Removing rock allows us to lengthen the turning radius, which will improve safety and enhance visibility around this curve.”
Message boards will be placed on Idaho 55 at each end of the work zone to notify and prepare drivers for the upcoming closures.
To sign up for email updates about construction on Goose Creek Grade, contact ITD at comments@itd.idaho.gov, visit the project website at www.itd.idaho.gov/Projects/D3/GooseCreekGrade or call (208) 334-8938.
Knife River, of Boise, is the contractor for this road-maintenance project.