7/25/2006
Eastern Idaho highway construction report for July 25-Aug. 1
RIGBY - Work is progressing on the highway alignment for the new Canyon Creek Bridge east of Newdale on Idaho 33, and seal coat projects continue in eastern Idaho, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Following is a list of other active highway construction projects in eastern Idaho for July 25-Aug. 1:
U.S. 26, Palisades Sheet Pile Wall: Motorists can expect short delays Monday through Thursday during working hours as state crews install drain pipe and guardrail along a new retaining wall near Big Elk Creek. The project is adjacent to Palisades Reservoir at about milepost 292 on U.S. 26. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. Work is expected to continue into next week.
Interstate 15, Sunnyside I-15 Interchange to I-15B: Traffic has been switched onto the new concrete at the intersection of Sunnyside Road and Yellowstone Highway (U.S. 26/I-15B). Concrete paving will continue on the remainder of the intersection. Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction with a four-way stop for traffic control. The public should use alternate routes when possible to avoid the intersection. Paving is under way on the new Sunnyside Road alignment between the intersection and the new Snake River Bridge.
I-15, Osgood Girder Repair: A short section of one northbound lane of I-15 and Osgood Road (North Church Farm Road) over the interstate north of Idaho Falls will close temporarily next week. A pre-stressed concrete girder on the overpass was damaged last fall and will be repaired. Repairs are expected to take until the end of September.
Motorists will be able cross the interstate at Exit 119 in Idaho Falls or at Payne Road (81st North) about two miles north of the Osgood overpass.
U.S. 20/26, Tom Cat Hill East: Liquid magnesium chloride has been applied to the route through Craters of the Moon National Monument to help contain dust from road construction. Travel is rough between mileposts 224 and 233 through the Craters along U.S. 20/26. Traffic is reduced to a single lane and is guided by pilot car.
Delays of up to 45 minutes should be expected 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.
Idaho 33, Canyon Creek Bridge: Traffic is reduced to a single lane Monday through Thursday during working hours on Idaho 33 east of Newdale across the new Canyon Creek Bridge. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays; a 12-foot width restriction remains in effect. Zollinger Construction of Rexburg is building the highway approaches in preparation for paving. A 35 mph speed limit is in effect through the work zone.
Idaho 33, Teton East and West: A seal coat is being applied to Idaho 33 east of Teton. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane and will be guided by a pilot car. Work is expected to be complete by the end of the week.
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 are being repaved and will receive a seal coat. Traffic is reduced to one lane with a reduced speed limit of 45 mph.
Work is expected to continue through the end of August. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes into Idaho Falls. Use the U.S. 20 Exit 315 at Ucon to Idaho 43 or U.S. 26 Exit 313 to Hitt Road (25th East).
Seal coats: Seal-coating is under way on U.S. 20 west of Idaho Falls from Cinder Butte Road to Yellowstone Highway (U.S. 26B). Traffic is reduced to a single lane, and a 35 mph speed limit is in effect. Motorists are advised to slow down and obey speed limits to reduce the risk of windshield damage. Idaho 48 from First South to State Street in Rigby and the new turn lanes at the North Rigby Interchange on U.S. 20B also will receive seal coats.