12/15/2006
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for Dec. 15 - Dec. 22
BOISE - Following is an update on highway construction projects in southwest Idaho.
ADA COUNTY
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. Intermittent lane closures are tentatively scheduled in the eastbound and westbound lanes in early- to mid-December. One lane in each direction will remain open. The speed limit is reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph through the construction area.
CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84, Karcher Interchange, Nampa
The new I-84 Interchange in Nampa opened on Tuesday, Dec. 12. It provides a link to Interstate 84 for commuters in southern Canyon County and access to Idaho 55. The five-lane interchange overpass realigns Idaho 55 at its intersection with Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard, preventing traffic delays at the railroad tracks. The north end of the overpass links to the new three-lane Karcher Connector Road that opened in August. The project also includes landscaping that will be completed in the spring. Central Paving Co. of Boise was the contractor for the $30 million project.
Interstate 84, Franklin Interchange, Caldwell
The Franklin Road Interchange is being reconstructed to improve access to Caldwell from I-84, improve traffic flow, and ease congestion. The reconstruction, which started in early December, will improve several aspects of the interchange. The current two-lane Franklin Overpass will be replaced with a six-lane bridge. The new overpass will have two through lanes in each direction and dual left turn lanes in each direction. The interchange ramps will be lengthened and widened to two lanes at their intersection with Franklin. Franklin Road will be widened from two to five lanes between the overpass and Specht Avenue. The new road will have a curb, gutter, sidewalk, bicycle lanes and shoulder. Aviation Way will be widened at the intersection with Franklin Road. A new traffic signal will also be added. Lanes may be reduced temporarily on Franklin Road and Aviation Way during the widening. Both roads will remain open during construction. One or both lanes of I-84 may be closed between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. for safety while crews rebuild the overpass. Traffic will be detoured. While crews build a new storm sewer, 21st Avenue will be temporarily closed. Traffic will use temporary ramps while the old ramps are reconstructed. A new bridge and three new lanes will be constructed before the old overpass is torn down and traffic will use the new three lanes while crews rebuild the old bridge. At the project's completion, all six new lanes will be opened. Traffic updates will be posted to ITD's 511 service (511.Idaho.gov, or dial 511). Concrete Placing Co. is the contractor for the $25 million project. Construction is scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2008.
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. Access to Sunnyslope Road (Idaho 55) from Pear Lane will be closed starting Monday, Dec. 18, while crews build a new bridge over the Low Line Canal. The alternate access route to the south is at Apricot Road using Frost Road. The alternate access to the north is Hoskins Road using Frost Road. Both alternate routes will be signed as detours. The closure is expected to last until late February. 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.
ADA COUNTY
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. Intermittent lane closures are tentatively scheduled in the eastbound and westbound lanes in early- to mid-December. One lane in each direction will remain open. The speed limit is reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph through the construction area.
CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84, Karcher Interchange, Nampa
The new I-84 Interchange in Nampa opened on Tuesday, Dec. 12. It provides a link to Interstate 84 for commuters in southern Canyon County and access to Idaho 55. The five-lane interchange overpass realigns Idaho 55 at its intersection with Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard, preventing traffic delays at the railroad tracks. The north end of the overpass links to the new three-lane Karcher Connector Road that opened in August. The project also includes landscaping that will be completed in the spring. Central Paving Co. of Boise was the contractor for the $30 million project.
Interstate 84, Franklin Interchange, Caldwell
The Franklin Road Interchange is being reconstructed to improve access to Caldwell from I-84, improve traffic flow, and ease congestion. The reconstruction, which started in early December, will improve several aspects of the interchange. The current two-lane Franklin Overpass will be replaced with a six-lane bridge. The new overpass will have two through lanes in each direction and dual left turn lanes in each direction. The interchange ramps will be lengthened and widened to two lanes at their intersection with Franklin. Franklin Road will be widened from two to five lanes between the overpass and Specht Avenue. The new road will have a curb, gutter, sidewalk, bicycle lanes and shoulder. Aviation Way will be widened at the intersection with Franklin Road. A new traffic signal will also be added. Lanes may be reduced temporarily on Franklin Road and Aviation Way during the widening. Both roads will remain open during construction. One or both lanes of I-84 may be closed between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. for safety while crews rebuild the overpass. Traffic will be detoured. While crews build a new storm sewer, 21st Avenue will be temporarily closed. Traffic will use temporary ramps while the old ramps are reconstructed. A new bridge and three new lanes will be constructed before the old overpass is torn down and traffic will use the new three lanes while crews rebuild the old bridge. At the project's completion, all six new lanes will be opened. Traffic updates will be posted to ITD's 511 service (511.Idaho.gov, or dial 511). Concrete Placing Co. is the contractor for the $25 million project. Construction is scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2008.
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. Access to Sunnyslope Road (Idaho 55) from Pear Lane will be closed starting Monday, Dec. 18, while crews build a new bridge over the Low Line Canal. The alternate access route to the south is at Apricot Road using Frost Road. The alternate access to the north is Hoskins Road using Frost Road. Both alternate routes will be signed as detours. The closure is expected to last until late February. 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.