9/28/2006
Southwest Idaho construction report for Sept. 28 - Oct. 6
BOISE - Following is an update on construction projects in southwest Idaho.
ADA COUNTY
U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard), Hewlett-Packard main entrance to Joplin
Idaho Sand & Gravel is building this $6.9 million project to widen Chinden from two to four lanes between Hewlett-Packard and Joplin Road. During construction, the center turn lane is eliminated and traffic limited to one lane in each direction. The east end of Joplin is closed until mid-November. Joplin traffic must use the west Joplin entrance. There will be one lane open in each direction on Chinden during the daytime. There will be intermittent lane closures and flagging on Chinden at night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. From Oct. 4 through Oct. 11, northbound traffic on N. Five Mile Road will not be able to access Chinden, and eastbound and westbound traffic on Chinden will not be able to make turns onto N. Five Mile Road. Work on this project is expected to be complete this winter. This is the second phase of a project to widen Chinden Boulevard to five lanes from Eagle Road through Garden City. The final section, between Hewlett-Packard's main entrance and Cloverdale Road, is scheduled for construction in 2007.
I-184, Curtis Road overpass
During this four-month project to rehabilitate the Curtis Road overpass bridge, Curtis Road is reduced to one lane in each direction in the interchange area. Left turns from the Curtis bridge onto the connector (I-184) are not allowed. Connector off-ramps to Curtis Road are closed to trucks. Other vehicles may use the ramps, but motorists should expect delays. The connector will have intermittent lane restrictions during non-peak travel times. All inbound lanes will remain open during the morning commute. All outbound lanes will remain open during the afternoon commute. Record Steel and Construction Inc. of Meridian is the contractor on this $862,000 project.
Blacks Creek Rest Area
Western Construction is the contractor on a $10.2 million project to rebuild this Interstate 84 rest area, located about 10 miles east of Boise. When finished, the site will include new bathrooms, a picnic area with tables and seating and new landscaping. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in either direction on I-84 in the work zone as needed. The rest area will remain closed until the project is finished in winter 2006/2007.
CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84, Karcher Interchange, Nampa
Central Paving Inc. is building this new I-84 Interchange in Nampa that is expected to open for traffic this winter. Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard is reduced to one lane in each direction near the intersection with Karcher Road. Karcher Road is closed east of Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard to Midland Boulevard, and Midland Boulevard is closed from Karcher Road to the Karcher Connector.
Idaho 55, Marsing to Sunnyslope Curve
The road will be widened to five lanes with guardrail, irrigation, drainage facilities and a new canal bridge added in this three-mile section of Idaho 55. Motorists will be assisted through the work zone by traffic control devices and flaggers. The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph in the work zone. Idaho Sand & Gravel is the contractor for this $6.1 million project that will be finished in spring 2007.
ELMORE COUNTY
8th Street North widening, Mountain Home
This project will reconstruct and widen a .42-mile section of 8th Street North in Mountain Home. Between the canal and American Legion Boulevard, 8th Street North is closed except for local traffic. To avoid the construction area, motorists should enter North 18th East Street from American Legion Boulevard to access the west side of the project. The work is expected to be completed next year. In the interim, through traffic is being allowed on 8th Street North starting Thursday, Oct. 5.
VALLEY COUNTY
Idaho 55, Rainbow Bridge
One lane will be closed during rehabilitation of the historic and often-photographed Rainbow Bridge over the Payette River north of Smiths Ferry. Mowat Construction Co. is making improvements to the arch piers, floor beams, deck joints and columns of the bridge in this $2.9 million project this fall. The bridge rail replacement will proceed next spring. Lane closures on the bridge will not occur on weekends, holidays or when scheduled community events will result in a considerable increase in traffic. Construction is scheduled to stop for the winter months in October. Both lanes will remain open. Work will resume, weather permitting, in April.