10/27/2006
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Oct. 27 - Nov. 3
BOISE - Following is an update on highway 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. 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
Curtis Road is reduced to one lane in each direction in the interchange area during a construction project to repair badly deteriorated pavement, extend the life of the structure and provide a smoother ride for motorists. Left turns from the Curtis Road Bridge to I-184 (the Connector) are not allowed. Curtis Road off-ramps from the Connector are closed to truck traffic. Other vehicles may use the ramps, but motorists should expect delays and watch for signs. The Connector has intermittent lane restrictions during non-peak travel times. On weekdays, all inbound lanes will remain open during the morning commute (6 a.m. - 9 a.m.), and all outbound lanes will be open during the afternoon commute (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.). At least one lane in each direction will remain open on I-184 throughout the project. Work is expected to be complete by mid-November. To expedite the project, crews will work an aggressive schedule that may include nighttime and weekend hours. 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. Single-lane closures started in the westbound and eastbound lanes by the rest area on the week of Oct. 23. They will continue until Nov. 20. The speed limit is reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph through the construction area. The rest area is scheduled to open for public use in December of this year.
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 in December. Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard is reduced to one lane in each direction near the intersection with Karcher Road. Motorists on Karcher Road are asked to use Midland Boulevard to reach Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard. Construction work on Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard and Karcher Road is scheduled to be done in late November.
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 open to traffic until early summer 2007. The work is expected to be completed next year.
U.S. 20, Milepost 112.9 to Milepost 124.63
Initial construction work started on U.S. 20 between those two mileposts on Oct. 23. Crews will be working on drainage facilities. The work will involve the closure of one lane. Motorists should expect closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. One lane shall remain open at all times, and flaggers will direct motorists through the area. Lane reductions will be intermittent.
VALLEY COUNTY
Idaho 55, Rainbow Bridge
One lane has been 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 stopped for the winter months on Oct. 27. Both lanes will remain open. Work will resume, weather permitting, in May.