Crews set a new girder (one of five) on the bridge on July 26. The next batch of five girders were set on Aug. 1.

Rose Road Interchange rebuild
will improve I-15 safety, mobility

Anticipated future growth in the Rose/Firth area drove the development of Rose Road Interchange at Exit 98, which will replace a partial cloverleaf interchange on Interstate 15 with a more traditional diamond interchange design. The existing Rose Road Bridge is being replaced with a wider bridge, the ramps are being reconfigured, and two canal structures are being updated and widened.

Design was tricky from the beginning, with impacts to adjacent property owners being unavoidable.

“In discussions with adjacent property owners, we were informed that they were open to the idea of being displaced, but they did not want to wait two years before being impacted,” explained ITD Southeast Idaho Project Manager Greg Roberts. “Based on this feedback, we acquired the impacted property early in the development process, which pleased the property owners.”

The final interchange design minimized encroachment on one adjacent parcel, bought out a rental property on a second property, and provided timely relocation for the residents of a third property.

The design of the new bridge flattens the crest of Rose Road as it passes over the interstate to provide adequate stopping sight distance, accommodates three lanes of traffic, and includes eight-foot shoulders for wide loads (agricultural equipment). All of these features improve safety and mobility.

In anticipation of the reconstructed interchange, multiple commercial businesses have already relocated to the area. The interchange is expected to open later this year, with additional construction activities completed in the spring of 2020.

The old Rose Road Interchange, built in 1962.

 

Published 09-27-19