The 11th Avenue Underpass Project in Nampa is being recognized
by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Idaho
(ACEC) as the top project in the state last year.
J-U-B Engineers, Inc., the firm that designed the underpass
widening project, will accept the "Grand Concepetor Award"
at the 2003 Idaho Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet today
(Feb. 6). J-U-B nominated the project team – which also
included ITD, the city of Nampa and Tarradon & Mueser
Rutledge Consulting Engineers– for the award.
“During
the design process we worked closely with Carl Main [now in
ITD Headquarters Maintenance], Ken Clausen from the Bridge
Section and Lisa Applebee from District 3 design,” said
J-U-B Engineer Jim Porter.
“Gary Hazen, Bob Schumacher, Mike Cook and the rest
of the Caldwell Region administered the construction project
exceptionally well. This was one of the best-run construction
projects I have ever seen, which contributed immensely to
the success of this project.”
The project widened the old 65-year-old railroad underpass
from two lanes to four and increased the vertical clearance
from 14 feet to almost 17 feet. The Front Street bridge also
was replaced, a pedestrian bridge was built across 11th Avenue
and a raised, open sidewalk through the underpass, (accessible
to disabled people) was constructed.
The city of Nampa and the Nampa Urban Renewal Agency partnered
with ITD on the $16 million project, contributing $5 million
in urban renewal funds for the new structure.
"The new 11th Avenue Underpass is a success story for
our Urban Renewal program," Nampa Mayor Tom Dale said
during construction. "This project will help strengthen
our community’s economy and improve its livability."
State and local officials broke ground for the new underpass
on Nov. 1, 2001; its opening was celebrated during a community
event that attracted about 1,000 citizens on Jan. 24, 2003.
J-U-B Engineers, Inc. also submitted the project in the national
2004 ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards Competition
the first project in six years sent from Idaho submitted to
the national competition.