Untitled Document

Bids opened for three highway projects
that will use federal stimulus funds
Half of Idaho’s projects to be under contract soon

Bids were opened Tuesday on three highway construction projects in Idaho that will use federal stimulus funding.

U.S. 2, Dover Bridge: Sletten Construction of Great Falls, Mont., is the apparent low bidder to replace the Dover Bridge on U.S. 2. Sletten bid $21.6 million. The project was estimated to cost $36.8 million.

The existing bridge was built during the 1930s and now is the most restricted bridge on U.S. 2 through northern Idaho. Its deteriorated condition forced the transportation department to impose height, width and weight restrictions on the bridge. The speed limit also has been reduced to 25 mph over the bridge for safety.

It will be replaced with a 72-foot-wide steel bridge. The project will accommodate future expansion of U.S. 2 west of the existing highway bridge that spans the Union Pacific Railroad to Rocky Point Road east of the bridge. A bicycle/pedestrian trail is included in the project.

Construction will begin in late July or early August and is expected to be complete by fall 2011. Five contractors including Sletten bid on the project.

The Dover Bridge project is calculated to generate or preserve approximately 400 jobs.

"I am pleased these projects are going to construction this summer and Idahoans will be put to work," said Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. "Safety will be substantially improved, and one of the lowest rated bridges in the state, the Dover Bridge, will be replaced."

U.S. 20 Henry's Lake passing lanes: Gale Lim Construction of Blackfoot is the apparent low bidder to construct passing lanes on northbound U.S. 20 between Island Park Lodge and Red Rock Road, and on southbound U.S. 20 between the Henry's Fork Outlet Bridge and the junction of Idaho 87. Lim bid $2.3 million. The project was estimated to cost $3.5 million.

No passing lanes are currently in this area. The highway becomes heavily congested during the summer months by recreational traffic.

Construction will start this summer and is expected to be complete this fall. Four contractors including Gale Lim Construction bid on the project.

The project is calculated to generate or preserve approximately 40 jobs.

U.S. 95, Top of White Bird Hill chain-up area: Knife River Construction of Boise is the apparent low bidder to widen a 1.2-mile segment of U.S. 95 at White Bird Hill and connect two short passing lanes into a 2-mile continuous passing lane.

Knife River bid $3.3 million. The project was estimated to cost $5.2 million.

Southbound traffic on Idaho's primary north-south highway experiences several short passing lanes as it nears the White Bird summit, approximately seven miles south of Grangeville. The project will result in safer passing opportunities and keep traffic flowing smoothly as it nears the summit and descends on the long White Bird grade.

The project also includes a major repair of the U.S. 95 road base and embankment that is subject to regular slippage. Movement of the base has required regular maintenance challenges since the highway was built in 1964. In early 2009, a crescent-shaped section of the highway deteriorated because of slippage. The affected portion of U.S. 95 is about 250-300 feet long and stretches from beyond the shoulder to the centerline. About 50 feet of the centerline is affected. That prompted closure of the outside (uphill) lane to keep traffic off the outside edge of the highway in an attempt to forestall continued deterioration.

The project will begin this summer and is expected to be complete by spring 2010. Five contractors including Knife River bid on the project.

The project is calculated to generate or preserve approximately 59 jobs.

Bids were opened last week on Idaho's first highway stimulus project, U.S. 95 Moscow Mountain passing lanes. Bids on a new Vista Interchange on Interstate 84; widening of Interstate 86 in Chubbuck/Pocatello; widening of Idaho 48 near Rigby and phase two of the Twin Falls Alternate Route will be opened later this month or in July.

Progress on Idaho's transportation stimulus projects can be followed at accountability.idaho.gov or itd.idaho.gov