11/24/2006
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Nov. 24 - Dec. 1
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. At least one lane in each direction will be open at all times. Access to Joplin from Chinden is now open at Joplin's east and west entrances. 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 four lanes and a center turn lane from Eagle Road through Garden City. The final section, between Hewlett-Packard's main entrance and Cloverdale Road, is scheduled for construction in 2007.
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. The eastbound and westbound lanes will be completely open for the Thanksgiving weekend. Lane reductions will start again on Monday morning, Nov. 27. The speed limit is reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph through the construction area.
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. Motorists on Karcher Road that are northeast of the Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard are asked to use Midland Boulevard to reach Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard. The westbound and eastbound lanes of Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard are open. Karcher Road south and west of the interchange is also open.
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 finished next year.
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. Construction stopped for the winter months in October. Work will resume, weather permitting, in May. Both lanes will remain open in the interim.
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. At least one lane in each direction will be open at all times. Access to Joplin from Chinden is now open at Joplin's east and west entrances. 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 four lanes and a center turn lane from Eagle Road through Garden City. The final section, between Hewlett-Packard's main entrance and Cloverdale Road, is scheduled for construction in 2007.
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. The eastbound and westbound lanes will be completely open for the Thanksgiving weekend. Lane reductions will start again on Monday morning, Nov. 27. The speed limit is reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph through the construction area.
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. Motorists on Karcher Road that are northeast of the Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard are asked to use Midland Boulevard to reach Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard. The westbound and eastbound lanes of Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard are open. Karcher Road south and west of the interchange is also open.
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 finished next year.
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. Construction stopped for the winter months in October. Work will resume, weather permitting, in May. Both lanes will remain open in the interim.