5/3/2016
Construction on Thornton Interchange in full swing; drive with care
RIGBY - Construction on the Thornton Interchange south of Rexburg is in full swing. Watch for merging traffic Monday through Saturday, and obey all traffic signs.
The Thornton Interchange will improve
safety and operational effectiveness by eliminating the final at-grade (level) intersections with
U.S. 20 in the 34 miles between Idaho Falls and Sugar City. The route will be a full–access control divided highway, improving safety,
mobility and economic opportunity for the public.
It also will connect Madison County’s planned 5000 South project, which is designed to improve traffic flow in the southern part of the county.
Northbound traffic has been rerouted to the southbound passing lane between mileposts 327 and 330 of U.S. 20, enabling construction of interchange ramps and tie-ins.
Crews are removing asphalt pavement from northbound lanes and are elevating the roadway. Workers transport the old pavement to the gravel pit northwest of Lone Pine Nursery for recycling and will break up concrete pavement for use as fill.
Crews also are constructing ramps and roadsides west of U.S. 20. See live images of construction and traffic at:
http://liveviewtech.com/slideshow/wheelerelectric.php.
The interchange (overpass) project will elevate U.S. 20 to pass over 4700 South and will realign this county road north of its current location. The project is scheduled for completion in October.
Click here for a picture of Thornton Interchange's final configuration.
Click here for a three-dimensional (3-D) model of the interchange project.
Click here for a video showing the drive through of the interchange from each direction.
Western Construction Inc., of Boise, is the contractor for the $11.2 million project.