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WYE named one of Idaho's top construction projects

The WYE Interchange, Stage 2, was named one of Idaho’s top construction projects by the Idaho Business Review. The highway project that transformed the interstate corridor through Boise, was listed in third place in the Business Review’s new publication, “Top Projects 2005.”

In addition to the WYE, the publication lists 38 other statewide projects that range from airports to movie theatres; fitness centers to ski area chalets; office buildings to a car wash. The projects are ranked by cost, with the WYE coming in at $41 million.

According to the publication, the WYE interchange is Idaho’s largest highway project. Originally designed in 1968 to accommodate 33,000 vehicles per day, it now serves an estimated 100,000 per day. The WYE is a primary route for commuters traveling from the western part of the Treasure Valley to downtown Boise.

The project was divided into two stages. Stage 2 work eliminated the weaving patterns created when traffic entered near the Cole Road on-ramp, and near the Franklin Road off-ramp. The project also added a lane to eastbound I-84 between the Maple Grove Road overpass and the Cole Overland Interchange, and added an exit ramp on eastbound I-84 to westbound Overland Road for traffic coming from the Nampa/Meridian area.

The Idaho Business Review introduced the new publication this year to recognize the variety of innovative construction projects throughout the state.

“When people look at the wonderful buildings in our state, they often overlook the details that went into their construction,” Idaho Business Review publisher Rick Carpenter wrote. “We wanted to not only recognize the owners of the projects, but also the project managers, architects, engineers contractors and subcontractors.

“With the launching of a statewide road construction plan initiated by the governor and the state Legislature, we anticipate next year’s entries will include even more road projects,” he wrote, referring to GARVEE funding.

Concrete Placing and Central Paving were the primary contractors for the WYE Stage 2 project, working under a joint venture; Washington Group International was the project engineer.