5/3/2016
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Work to begin May 9 to build passing lane on U.S. 95’s Whitebird Hill using new revenue
LEWISTON - Work is slated to begin Monday (May 9) on construction to extend the passing lane on Whitebird Hill’s southern top on U.S. 95, between White Bird and Grangeville. This half-mile section is the last place on the hill without a passing lane. At the completion of this project, two continuous uphill lanes will run the entire length of Whitebird Hill on northbound U.S. 95.
The project will benefit the public by creating a continuous uphill passing lane on the southern side of Whitebird Hill, thus increasing the flow of traffic, reducing travel times and increasing safety. Extending the passing lane will create additional passing opportunities and provide slow-moving trucks with a longer distance to accelerate before merging back into the main flow of traffic near the top of the hill, which will reduce accidents.
Click here for Photo 1 and Photo 2 of the passing lane location, and the aerial map of the passing lane area.
Work will include constructing about 8,300 square feet of retaining wall, installing 1,000 feet of guardrail and using 2,400 tons of asphalt to pave from milepost 230.3 to milepost 230.8. The construction will also include excavating about 5,000 cubic yards of material from the roadbed, replacing it with 5,000 tons of aggregate base and 3,000 square yards of backfill.
The Idaho Transportation Board advanced a group of 27 projects in 2015 using funds allocated by the Idaho Legislature for the state’s first transportation-revenue increase in nearly two decades. Doing so enabled the advancement of dozens of other critically needed road and bridge projects statewide in the future. This is one of that initial group of projects.
Knife River Corporation, of Boise, is expected to finish this $726,000 project by early July.
The contractor will work primarily during daytime hours, five to six days per week. Motorists can expect minor delays of up to 15 minutes during construction. ITD appreciated the patience of drivers. Every effort will be made to maintain two-way traffic and not inhibit uphill traffic when possible.
The primary partners/stakeholders are Idaho County, the city of White Bird, the city of Grangeville, and the trucking industry.