3/26/2007
Mollie McCarty
ITD Chief External Affairs Officer
208-334-8804
mollie.mccarty@itd.idaho.gov
Work to begin Thursday night (March 29) to improve westbound I-84 off-ramp at Eagle Road
BOISE - Construction will begin Thursday night (March 29) to improve and widen the I-84 westbound off-ramp at Eagle Road, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The project will add a new off-ramp lane that will lengthen the ramp 1,600 feet. The off-ramp will divide into dual left and dual right turn lanes for turning north and south onto Eagle Road. A traffic signal will be added to the right turn lanes.
Once completed, the widened off-ramp will improve traffic flow at the intersection with Eagle Road, and reduce the amount of traffic that backs up while exiting I-84.
Crews will work an aggressive schedule to minimize impacts to motorists, including some nighttime work. The westbound off-ramp will remain open to motorists, but ITD urges commuters to plan extra time while traveling in the project area or use an alternate route. The outside shoulder on westbound I-84 will be closed to exiting vehicles during some construction.
During the final weeks of the project, the outside lane of westbound I-84 will be closed between the Cloverdale Overpass and the Eagle Road Interchange. ITD will notify the public before the lane closes. Updates will also be available through ITD's 511 service (call 5-1-1, or visit 511.Idaho.gov).
ITD anticipates the project will be completed in late 2007.
The Eagle Road off-ramp expansion is the first construction project in the Treasure Valley to use funding from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds. GARVEE bonds use future federal highway funds to construct needed highway projects sooner than through the traditional pay-as-you go method. The bonds will be repaid with future federal highway dollars.
WF Construction of Meridian is the contractor for the $2.5 million Eagle Westbound Off-ramp project.
NOTE TO EDITORS: MEDIA TOURS OF THE PROJECT AREA ARE AVAILABLE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 27. ITD WILL BE ON HAND FOR INTERVIEWS. CONTACT ADAM RUSH AT 344-8881 TO ARRANGE FOR A TOUR.