3/30/2007
Southwest Idaho highway construction report for March 30 - April 6
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 covered tables and seating and new landscaping. There is a rest area for eastbound traffic and a rest area for westbound traffic. The bathrooms at both rest areas will be open 24 hours. Each rest area also will have vending machines offering soda pop and snacks in a lobby area, also open 24 hours. All eastbound and westbound lanes are open as they pass the construction area. Remaining work is taking place away from interstate lanes and is on the rest areas' grounds and in the interior of buildings. The rest area is scheduled to open in early May.
Interstate 84 westbound Eagle off-ramp
Construction started March 29 on a project to improve and widen the I-84 westbound off-ramp at Eagle Road. Improvements include 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 south and north 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 the transportation department 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. The transportation department will notify the public before the lane closes. Updates also will be available through the department's 511 service (call 5-1-1, or visit 511.Idaho.gov). The project is scheduled to be finished in late 2007.
U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard), Cloverdale Road to Hewlett-Packard
A project to widen Chinden Boulevard (U.S. 20/26) between Cloverdale Road and Hewlett-Packard started March 19. The center turn lane on Chinden has been eliminated and traffic restricted to one lane in each direction. Periodic nighttime lane restrictions can be expected between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Flaggers will guide motorists through the work zone. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained. The speed limit in the construction zone is reduced from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour, and westbound traffic is not allowed to turn left to access Hewlett-Packard's main entrance. HP's Cloverdale entrance on the west side of the HP campus and File Mile entrance on the east side of the HP campus remain open to employees. Joplin Road is closed from its western intersection with Chinden (near Cloverdale Road) to Ancell Lane. Motorists can access Joplin at its eastern intersection with Chinden (near Mountain View Drive). Following completion of drainage work and pipe installation, the City of Boise will then install underground sewer lines in the same area. After that is complete, the Ada County Highway District plans to resurface Joplin Road. The Chinden project will add bicycle lanes to both sides of the roadway. Curb, gutter and sidewalk will be installed along the south side of the road. By the project's completion, pedestrian and bicycle facilities will extend from Eagle Road to the Joplin Road/Mountain View Drive intersection. In addition, a new half-mile-long frontage road will provide access to homes on the north side of Chinden between Joplin and HP. As a result, the Chinden/Joplin intersection will be reconfigured. To expedite the project, crews will work an aggressive schedule, including some night and weekend hours. Central Paving, Inc. of Boise is the contractor on this $5.5 million project. Work is expected to be complete in late 2007.
Locust Grove Overpass
Work started in December 2006 on a new overpass that will connect Locust Grove Road and offer an extended route over Interstate 84 between Eagle Road and Meridian Road. Currently, Locust Grove Road south of Interstate 84 ends near the interstate. The north side of Locust Grove Road also ends near Interstate 84. The inside lane of the eastbound and westbound sections near the construction site closed on March 22. The closure is for construction of the center overpass pier, and will be in place into October. Eastbound traffic normally goes from two lanes to four lanes at the Meridian Interchange. With the closure, eastbound traffic will go from two lanes to three lanes at Meridian, then broaden to four lanes after the work zone at Locust Grove. Westbound traffic normally goes from four lanes to two lanes at the Meridian interchange. With the closure, westbound traffic will be reduced to three lanes prior to the work zone at Locust Grove, then to the usual two lanes at Meridian. Guardrail is installed around the lane closure to protect the work zone, and the speed limit reduced from 65 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour. The new overpass, scheduled to be finished in the spring of 2008, will consist of two lanes in each direction, sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the overpass. Utility and irrigation work started in early December 2006, and continued through January, February and into March. Concrete Placing Company Inc. of Boise is the contractor for the $5,845,000 project.
CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84, Franklin Interchange, Caldwell
The Franklin Road Interchange is being rebuilt to improve access to Caldwell from I-84, improve traffic flow and ease congestion. Specht Avenue will close on Monday (April 2) to allow construction crews to install storm sewer pipe. The closure will start on Monday at 8 a.m., and continue into the evening hours. Weather permitting, the closure only will be on Monday. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through the construction site. Motorists seeking access to businesses on Specht will be detoured to Commercial Way via Franklin Road, then to Specht Avenue from Commercial Way. Signs in the area will inform motorists of the detour route. The construction project, which started in early December 2006, will enhance 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. Traffic will use temporary interstate on- and off-ramps while the old ramps are rebuilt. 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 also will 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 replace the overpass. Traffic will be detoured. 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 replace the old bridge. At the project's completion, all six new lanes will be opened. Traffic updates will be posted to the transportation department's 511 service (511.Idaho.gov, or dial 5-1-1). 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
Idaho 55 will be widened to five lanes with guardrail, irrigation, drainage facilities and a new canal bridge added in this 3-mile section of the highway. 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 the $6.1 million project that will be finished in spring 2007.
During the fall and winter months, the Idaho Transportation Department advises motorists to monitor road conditions by visiting 511.idaho.gov or calling 5-1-1.
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 covered tables and seating and new landscaping. There is a rest area for eastbound traffic and a rest area for westbound traffic. The bathrooms at both rest areas will be open 24 hours. Each rest area also will have vending machines offering soda pop and snacks in a lobby area, also open 24 hours. All eastbound and westbound lanes are open as they pass the construction area. Remaining work is taking place away from interstate lanes and is on the rest areas' grounds and in the interior of buildings. The rest area is scheduled to open in early May.
Interstate 84 westbound Eagle off-ramp
Construction started March 29 on a project to improve and widen the I-84 westbound off-ramp at Eagle Road. Improvements include 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 south and north 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 the transportation department 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. The transportation department will notify the public before the lane closes. Updates also will be available through the department's 511 service (call 5-1-1, or visit 511.Idaho.gov). The project is scheduled to be finished in late 2007.
U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard), Cloverdale Road to Hewlett-Packard
A project to widen Chinden Boulevard (U.S. 20/26) between Cloverdale Road and Hewlett-Packard started March 19. The center turn lane on Chinden has been eliminated and traffic restricted to one lane in each direction. Periodic nighttime lane restrictions can be expected between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Flaggers will guide motorists through the work zone. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained. The speed limit in the construction zone is reduced from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour, and westbound traffic is not allowed to turn left to access Hewlett-Packard's main entrance. HP's Cloverdale entrance on the west side of the HP campus and File Mile entrance on the east side of the HP campus remain open to employees. Joplin Road is closed from its western intersection with Chinden (near Cloverdale Road) to Ancell Lane. Motorists can access Joplin at its eastern intersection with Chinden (near Mountain View Drive). Following completion of drainage work and pipe installation, the City of Boise will then install underground sewer lines in the same area. After that is complete, the Ada County Highway District plans to resurface Joplin Road. The Chinden project will add bicycle lanes to both sides of the roadway. Curb, gutter and sidewalk will be installed along the south side of the road. By the project's completion, pedestrian and bicycle facilities will extend from Eagle Road to the Joplin Road/Mountain View Drive intersection. In addition, a new half-mile-long frontage road will provide access to homes on the north side of Chinden between Joplin and HP. As a result, the Chinden/Joplin intersection will be reconfigured. To expedite the project, crews will work an aggressive schedule, including some night and weekend hours. Central Paving, Inc. of Boise is the contractor on this $5.5 million project. Work is expected to be complete in late 2007.
Locust Grove Overpass
Work started in December 2006 on a new overpass that will connect Locust Grove Road and offer an extended route over Interstate 84 between Eagle Road and Meridian Road. Currently, Locust Grove Road south of Interstate 84 ends near the interstate. The north side of Locust Grove Road also ends near Interstate 84. The inside lane of the eastbound and westbound sections near the construction site closed on March 22. The closure is for construction of the center overpass pier, and will be in place into October. Eastbound traffic normally goes from two lanes to four lanes at the Meridian Interchange. With the closure, eastbound traffic will go from two lanes to three lanes at Meridian, then broaden to four lanes after the work zone at Locust Grove. Westbound traffic normally goes from four lanes to two lanes at the Meridian interchange. With the closure, westbound traffic will be reduced to three lanes prior to the work zone at Locust Grove, then to the usual two lanes at Meridian. Guardrail is installed around the lane closure to protect the work zone, and the speed limit reduced from 65 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour. The new overpass, scheduled to be finished in the spring of 2008, will consist of two lanes in each direction, sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the overpass. Utility and irrigation work started in early December 2006, and continued through January, February and into March. Concrete Placing Company Inc. of Boise is the contractor for the $5,845,000 project.
CANYON COUNTY
Interstate 84, Franklin Interchange, Caldwell
The Franklin Road Interchange is being rebuilt to improve access to Caldwell from I-84, improve traffic flow and ease congestion. Specht Avenue will close on Monday (April 2) to allow construction crews to install storm sewer pipe. The closure will start on Monday at 8 a.m., and continue into the evening hours. Weather permitting, the closure only will be on Monday. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through the construction site. Motorists seeking access to businesses on Specht will be detoured to Commercial Way via Franklin Road, then to Specht Avenue from Commercial Way. Signs in the area will inform motorists of the detour route. The construction project, which started in early December 2006, will enhance 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. Traffic will use temporary interstate on- and off-ramps while the old ramps are rebuilt. 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 also will 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 replace the overpass. Traffic will be detoured. 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 replace the old bridge. At the project's completion, all six new lanes will be opened. Traffic updates will be posted to the transportation department's 511 service (511.Idaho.gov, or dial 5-1-1). 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
Idaho 55 will be widened to five lanes with guardrail, irrigation, drainage facilities and a new canal bridge added in this 3-mile section of the highway. 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 the $6.1 million project that will be finished in spring 2007.
During the fall and winter months, the Idaho Transportation Department advises motorists to monitor road conditions by visiting 511.idaho.gov or calling 5-1-1.