9/6/2006
Mollie McCarty
ITD Chief External Affairs Officer
208-334-8804
mollie.mccarty@itd.idaho.gov
South-central Idaho highway construction report for Sept. 8-15
SHOSHONE - Following is the highway construction report for south-central Idaho for Sept. 8-15.
U.S. 93 Twin Falls Alternate Route Stage 1: Construction on the U.S. 93 Twin Falls Alternate Route from Washington Street to Blue Lakes Boulevard is under way.
Washington Street North will be closed from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 12) while crews begin installing new traffic signals at the intersection of Pole Line Road and Washington Street. Motorists must use Canyon Crest Road to access businesses and all other residences located on Washington Street North.
When complete, the traffic signals will span 138 feet across Pole Line Road and 82 feet across Washington Street and will contain video detection technology, energy saving signal heads and countdown pedestrian crosswalk signals. Countdown signals show the time remaining for a pedestrian to safely clear a crosswalk. A similar countdown signal also will be used at the intersection of Fillmore Street and Pole Line Road. This phase of installation is expected to be complete in one day. The traffic signal will be fully operational when the Twin Falls Alternate Route project is done in November.
Crews are paving the new westbound lanes from Blue Lakes Boulevard to Fillmore Street, closing the north business entrances from Pole Line Road.
Motorists can access McDonald's, Costco and other affected businesses by using Fillmore Street or through back entrances using Blue Lakes Boulevard to Canyon Springs Road. Other traffic impacts should be minimal except for possible increases in truck traffic. Work on this section is expected to be complete by Sept. 15.
Traffic on Pole Line Road from Grandview Drive to Blue Lakes Boulevard has shifted to the eastbound lanes. Traffic is reduced to two lanes, with one lane open in each direction. Motorists should use caution as they travel through the intersections of Fillmore Street and Blue Lakes Boulevard because of increased congestion and altered lane configurations. The temporary signal lights at the Fillmore Street intersection have been replaced with new signals that contain the latest in video detection technology to minimize traffic delays.
The traffic shift allows crews to reconstruct the westbound section of the Twin Falls Alternate Route. Truck drivers are encouraged to use Blue Lakes Boulevard to Addison Avenue.
This phase of the U.S. 93 Twin Falls Alternate Route project is expected to be complete by November. Western Construction of Boise is the contractor for the $18.8 million Stage 1 project.
U.S. 93 Blue Lakes Boulevard: Engineering crews are locating underground utilities on Blue Lakes Boulevard (U.S. 93) from Falls Avenue to the Perrine Bridge. The work is part of the U.S. 93 Blue Lakes North Corridor Project scheduled to begin in 2009.
To minimize impacts to motorists, work will be done between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. Lane closures and delays of up to 10 minutes are possible. The project is expected to be finished by mid-September.
Civil Science Inc., an engineering firm from Salt Lake City, is the contractor.
U.S. 93 resurfacing project: Motorists are encouraged to use caution as they travel through a five-mile portion of U.S. 93 north of Interstate 84 where nighttime paving operations are under way.
Crews are working an accelerated schedule from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., seven days a week. Temporary lights will illuminate the work zone to ensure safety for motorists and work crews. Flaggers and pilot cars will direct drivers through the work zone between mileposts 53 and 58. The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph in some areas. Motorists should expect delays of 10 to 15 minutes.
The resurfacing is scheduled to be complete by Wednesday (Sept. 13). The new surface will create smoother driving conditions and better traction. The project contractor is Idaho Sand & Gravel of Jerome.
U.S. 30, Twin Falls Canal Bridge: Crews continue bridge deck rehabilitation on a Twin Falls Main Canal bridge on U.S. 30 (milepost 238), a mile east of Murtaugh.
Traffic is reduced to one lane over the bridge, controlled by a temporary traffic signal. Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes. Vehicles are limited to a maximum width of 15 feet through the construction zone, and the speed limit is reduced to 35 mph.
This project includes reconstructing the top portion of the bridge deck with new concrete, replacing bridge joints and repairing deteriorated sections of the bridge.
Construction is expected to be complete by mid-October. Cannon Builders Inc. of Blackfoot is the project contractor.
Idaho 75, Basin Creek Bridge: Crews are replacing the Basin Creek Bridge on Idaho 75 (milepost 197), seven miles north of Stanley. Traffic is reduced from two lanes to one, controlled by a portable traffic signal. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph, and delays of up to 10 minutes should be expected. Vehicles are limited to a maximum width of 12 feet in the work zone. Cannon Builders Inc. of Blackfoot is the contractor for this $1 million project, which is expected to be complete by November.
Idaho 21, Banner Summit to Vader Creek: Crews are rehabilitating Idaho 21 between mileposts 105 and 116. Flaggers and pilot cars are directing motorists through the work zone. Lane closures and delays of up to 20 minutes are likely. Work is expected to be complete within two weeks.
H-K Contractors Inc. of Idaho Falls is the contractor. The project will create a smoother ride and extend the life of the roadway.
Motorists are reminded to slow down in highway construction zones.