Media Manager

Motorists urged to use caution, show courtesy and slow down in work zones

BOISE - A number of road construction projects planned for southwestern Idaho this season from a new interchange, bridge rehabilitation and replacement to resurfacing, seal coats and a rebuilt rest area will produce safer, more efficient travel for motorists, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.

Some of the projects are under way; others are scheduled to begin soon. Several of the larger projects will take two construction seasons to complete.

Motorists are encouraged to slow down as they approach work zones, follow special signs, flaggers or pilot cars, anticipate reduced speed limits and slight delays, and to use caution around construction workers or heavy equipment.

Our primary goal through all construction projects is to improve safety by improving travel conditions. We want to provide a safe, efficient transportation system that meets the needs of Idahoans today and tomorrow, explains District 3 Engineer Eric Shannon. We really appreciate the patience and extra care motorists demonstrate when they travel through work zones. Their cooperation is essential to the safe and timely completion of our projects.

ADA COUNTY

U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard) Cloverdale Road to Joplin Road

Estimated cost: Not available
Estimated start: Fall 2005
Estimated completion: Summer 2006
U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Bouldevard) will be widened and reconstructed during two companion projects running east and west from the main entrance to Hewlett-Packard. They will widen the existing two-lane roadway to five lanes including a center turn lane the full length of the project. Curb, gutter, sidewalks, bike paths, and a frontage road on the north side of Chinden also will be added. Other improvements include larger intersections at Cloverdale Road, the HP main entrance and Five Mile Road. Joplin and Mountain View roads will be brought into Chinden at safer angles and at the same intersection. One paved lane will remain open to traffic in each direction during construction. The driveways to businesses and residences will remain open.

Blacks Creek Rest Area

Estimated cost: Not available
Estimated start: September 2005
Estimated completion: September 2006
This project is located on Interstate 84 east of Boise and will rebuild the rest areas on both sides of I-84. Improvements include new rest room facilities, landscaping and picnic tables, parking for trucks and cars, caretaker and security facilities, new information area, rebuilding the existing well and drilling a new well on the westbound side, and constructing a sewer line that will run 2.5 miles to link with city sewer in the area of Micron on Federal Way. During the construction period, the existing rest area will be closed. Signs along the interstate will be adjusted to direct motorists to other rest stops.

Capital Boulevard streetscape, Boise

Estimated cost: $400,000
Estimated start: Spring 2005
Estimated completion: September 2005
This project, administered by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department, includes reconstruction of sidewalks, decorative stamped concrete, handicap-accessible curbing, lawns, trees and irrigation systems. The work is on Capital Boulevard and 9th Street from Boise Avenue across the Boise River to Fulton Street.

ADAMS COUNTY

U.S. 95, New Meadows to cattle crossing

Estimated cost: $2.7 million
Estimated start: June 2005
Estimated completion: August 2005
This project will rehabilitate U.S. 95 from the intersection of Idaho 55 in New Meadows to the cattle underpass north of New Meadows.

BOISE COUNTY

Banks to Lowman Rockfall mitigation

Estimated cost: $400,000
Estimated start: June 2005
Estimated completion: August 2005

The Banks to Lowman Rockfall Mitigation project will remove and stabilize rock on slopes above the Banks to Lowman Road, between Idaho 55 at Banks and the Middle Fork Payette Road near Crouch. Highway and river traffic will be controlled by flaggers during construction. Brief closures may be required during blasting. No work will take place on weekends or at night.

Idaho 21, South Fork Payette River Bridge, Lowman

Estimated cost: $600,000
Estimated start: July 2005
Estimated completion: Fall 2005
This project will rehabilitate the deteriorated pavement over the bridge on Idaho 21 at Lowman. Traffic will be reduced to one lane and controlled by signals at both ends of the bridge.

CANYON COUNTY

I-84, Karcher Interchange

Estimated cost: $32 Million
Estimated start: Summer 2005
Estimated completion: Late 2006
This will be a new diamond interchange on I-84 in Nampa with an additional westbound loop off-ramp and three major bridges (over I-84, across Indian Creek, and crossing the Union Pacific Railroad), and a connecting road that links the interstate to Nampa/Caldwell Boulevard and Idaho 55. Most of the construction of this project is new roadway and will have little impact on commuter traffic.

I-84B, Karcher Junction to Nampa Boulevard, Caldwell Boulevard

Estimated cost: $2.2 Million
Estimated start: Spring 2007
Estimated completion: Late Spring/Early Summer 2007
This project will repave Nampa/Caldwell Boulevard (I-84B) from the Karcher Junction to Nampa Boulevard. The work will not begin until the interchange is usable for traffic. This will allow motorists who commute from Karcher to Nampa Boulevard to use the interstate as a detour route.

Idaho 45, Deer Flat to Roosevelt micro surface, Nampa

Estimated cost: $372,000
Estimated start: June 2005
Estimated completion: Summer 2005
This is a highway maintenance project. The roadway will be micro surfaced, which is similar to a seal coat, but takes less time to complete. Construction is expected to last about two weeks. Two-lane, two-way traffic will be maintained during construction.

ELMORE COUNTY

Idaho 51 from I-84B in Mountain Home to milepost 85

Estimated cost: $1.6 million
Estimated start: June 2005
Estimated completion: October 2005
This will be done as two separate repaving projects going in both directions from the junction of Idaho 51 and 67 near Mountain Home. On two-lane Idaho 51 south of the Idaho 67 junction, work will be limited to one lane at a time. Traffic will be controlled by a pilot car during construction. From the Idaho 67 junction to Fifth West Street in Mountain Home, a five-lane roadway, traffic will be limited to one lane each direction during pavement construction activities. Lane closures will not be allowed from 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Nighttime work will not be allowed without prior approval from the transportation department.

8th North Street, Mountain Home

Estimated cost: Not available
Estimated start: August 2005
Estimated completion: November 2005
This project will reconstruct and widen 0.42 miles of 8th North Street from East Side Canal to American Legion Boulevard. The existing two-lane roadway is narrow, with deteriorating pavement that needs replacement. The project will construct a 44-foot wide roadway, including a turn lane, curb, gutter and sidewalk. Traffic will be maintained on the road during construction with signs, flaggers and pilot cars.

VALLEY COUNTY

Idaho 55, Four Corners beautification, McCall

Estimated cost: $400,000
Started: May 2005
Estimated completion: September 2005
The Four Corners Beautification is a transportation enhancement project that will landscape the roadside and adjoining area along 1,200 feet of Idaho 55 and along 400 feet of Dienhard Lane. Major items of work include irrigation, trees, shrubs, grasses, boulders, sidewalks, crosswalks, and decorative corner ramps. Minor traffic disruptions are anticipated.

Idaho 55, Round Valley to Clear Creek

Estimated cost: $1.3 million
Estimated start: July 2005
Estimated completion: September 2005
This project will repave Idaho 55 from Round Valley to the Clear Creek Bridge south of Cascade. Traffic will be restricted to one lane during the day and restored to two lanes for evenings and weekends.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

U.S. 95, Cambridge north to Weiser River Bridge and Idaho 71, Cambridge to U.S. 95 junction

Estimated cost: Not available
Estimated start: June 2005
Estimated completion: Fall 2005
These companion projects will rehabilitate and extend the life of about three miles of roadway through Cambridge. The projects include drainage improvements, guardrail upgrades and pedestrian crossing ramps.

AREA SEAL COATS

Southwest Idaho seal coats

Estimated cost: $2.2 million (combined)
Estimated start: June 2005
Estimated completion: August 2005
Seal coat projects add traction, protect against water damage and prolong the life of the road surface. Motorists can expect minor periodic delays. Work will be suspended over the Fourth of July weekend and during local celebrations/festivals and county fairs. Among the southwest Idaho roads slated for seal coats this summer are: