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Ceremony marks start of Locust Grove project

Work began this week on a new overpass that will connect northern and southern segments of Locust Grove Road now separated by Interstate 84 in west Boise .

The overpass will offer an extended width over the interstate between Eagle Road and Meridian Road.

It not only will provide another continuous north-south route for commuters, it also will facilitate interstate widening as part of the Connecting Idaho program.

The city of Meridian and other transportation officials, including ITD, participated in a groundbreaking event south of the interchange Tuesday (Dec. 5) to mark the beginning of the two-year project.

Scheduled for completion in the spring of 2008, the project will consist of two lanes in both directions, sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the overpass.

"This project is crucial to provide north-south connection for the city of Meridian and improve our emergency response services," said Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd.

de Weerd, Idaho Senate Transportation Committee Vice Chairman John McGee, Ada County Highway District Commission President John Franden and Idaho Transportation Board member Monte McClure (pictured above) were among the speakers on hand for Tuesday's celebration.

Utility and irrigation work was to begin this week (Monday, Dec. 4) and continue through January and February. Construction will start in the spring. Minimal impacts to traffic are anticipated during construction. Girders, placed during the night-time hours, may reduce interstate traffic to single lanes.

Concrete Placing Company Inc. of Boise is the contractor for the $5.8 million project.