ITD releases traffic control plan used for Interstate 84 construction

The Idaho Transportation Department has received interest regarding the traffic control plan for the Five Mile to Orchard project on Interstate 84. You can see the entire traffic control plan for project by clicking here.

ITD Construction projects that have shoulder or lane restrictions are required to include a traffic control plan that meet the standards included in the federal and state approved Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). These contractor traffic control plans are used to set up signs, barrels, and other traffic control devices for a project.

Below is a brief description of the traffic control plan:

First, the plans for advance warning signs before the lane reduction. This information can be found on page 14 of the traffic control plan.

*A section of the traffic control plan for warning signs before the lane closure and construction*

The first sign a motorist would encounter is a portable changeable message sign on the right shoulder. This sign read “NIGHT WORK THRU JUNE: CHECK 511.” This sign was placed on the east side of the Eagle Road Overpass.

A minimum of 1,500 feet after the portable changeable message sign, the plan calls for a 4’x4’ orange diamond signs on both shoulders that read “ROAD WORK AHEAD.”

A minimum of 1,000 feet after the “ROAD WORK AHEAD” sign the plan calls for a 6’x3’ white rectangular signs on both shoulders that read “INCREASED FINES FOR WORK ZONE SPEED VIOLATIONS.” Following these signs, a minimum of 1000’ away 4’x4’ orange diamond signs on each shoulder are placed with a “SPEED LIMIT 55” box and arrow pointing up indicating a speed limit reduction ahead.

A minimum of 1,000’ feet beyond these orange diamond sign, the plan calls for 4’x5’ white and black rectangular signs on both shoulders reading “SPEED LIMIT 55.” At this point, drivers have seen four signs on each shoulder over a minimum of 4,500 feet. All of this signage is placed before the lane restriction begins.

The next section ITD highlights is the beginning of the construction zone. This information can be found on page 12 of the traffic control plan.

*A section of the traffic control plan showing the placement for signs and barrels before, through, and after the construction zone*

A minimum of 1,000 feet after the “SPEED LIMIT 55” signs discussed above, the plan calls for 4’x4’ orange diamond signs on both shoulders indicating the number of lanes closed ahead. This project closed the three left lanes and the signs at this location on the field read “3 LANES CLOSED AHEAD.”

A minimum of 1,500 feet after these signs, the plan calls for 4’x4’ orange diamond signs on both shoulders indicating the left lane is closing ahead (sign 8 in the figure above). A minimum of 1,000’ after this sign, the taper to close off the lane begins.

The plan allows for two options on how to execute a taper. One option is to have a continuous taper closing all three lanes over 1,980 feet. The second is to have three separate tapers, with a tangent (straight) section between each taper.

The plan for this option is detailed as follows. At the beginning of each taper, an illuminated merge right arrow sign is placed. Orange drums with retroreflective lines are used for each taper and tangent section, spaced no more than 55 feet apart.

Each taper must extend a minimum of 660 feet. At the end of each taper, a minimum straight segment (identified as tangent on the plan sheets) of 1,320 feet (1/4 mile) extends until the beginning of the next taper.

Overall, from the first notice of construction at the portable changeable message sign to the final single lane of travel, a vehicle traveling the maximum legal speed would have more than two minutes and twenty seconds to make the appropriate maneuvers and be in the proper lane.

ITD ramps up safety along Gem Trail in north-central Idaho

Continued development of an ATV trail from Elk City to Avery led to recent collaboration between multiple partners in north-central Idaho. Called the Gem Trail, this path for off-highway vehicles will stretch about 240 miles by next summer, connecting rural towns to economic development by improving available recreational opportunities.

The Clearwater Basin Collaborative (CBC) first proposed the trail to take advantage of the existing network of roads and paths in the area to revitalize rural towns. Randy Doman, a co-chair for the recreation subcommittee, said the trail has been years in the making, with progress dependent on partnerships.

“This trail is about working with locals and working across boundaries,” Doman said. “We’re setting up the backbone for future trails in the region.”

Last year, Doman approached ITD’s Craigmont maintenance foreman Lee Linabary about working with a local property owner along US-12 just east of Kooskia to build a ramp within the department’s right of way to help riders safely access two separate legs of the trail.

Before various partners came together, the two sections were divided by the highway, which ATVs are not legally allowed to ride on, at the East Kooskia Bridge.

Property owner Jim Pankey agreed to give Idaho County 50 inches of his right of way near the highway, allowing riders to cross the river and travel in a roadside ditch before using a new ramp to cross the highway and continue on the trail.

“I was happy to work together to not only bring recreational and economic opportunities to our area but to also promote safety,” Linabary said.

Linabary reused material from nearby ditching activities to build the 60-foot ramp to connect the highway to the ditch 17 feet below.

Construction took half a day but will enable future riders to avoid driving on the road, which has a speed limit of 55 mph, to continue on the trail.

Other entities, such as the Kidder-Harris Highway District, also contributed to this segment of the route by moving material.

Doman said the CBC aims to have the trail signed in accordance with U.S. Forest Service regulations so that approximately 120 miles of the trail will be open between Elk City and Pierce in the fall.

Operational improvements at I-84/Karcher Interchange in Nampa to begin in July

BOISE -The Idaho Transportation Department and the city of Nampa will begin operational improvements and modifications to the ramps at the Interstate 84/Karcher Interchange in Nampa beginning the week of July 9. The project is scheduled to be complete this fall.

Construction will include:

*Eliminating exit 33B and adding lanes at exit 33A/Midland Blvd
*Adding a second southbound lane to Midland Blvd
*Adding a second left turn lane from the Karcher Bypass to southbound Midland Blvd
*Upgrading sidewalks and traffic signals

Motorists should plan ahead and be prepared for shifts in traffic patterns, periodic ramp closures, and other detours during construction. A map of the work zone is available here.

To sign up for construction updates, please email Jennifer.gonzalez@itd.idaho.gov or call 208.334.8938.

The project is being funded jointly by the city of Nampa and ITD. Central Paving is the contractor.

Cloverdale Road Overpass to remain closed for safety of the traveling public

Cloverdale Rd Overpass is closed for repairs following a fiery crash

The Cloverdale Overpass Bridge will remain closed indefinitely following a fiery crash on Interstate 84 late Saturday evening.

The fire significantly damaged a section of the overpass. ITD inspectors have evaluated the damage and determined the bridge is not safe to travel on. The bridge will remain closed until full repairs can be made. ITD has assessed it is safe for traffic travelling underneath the bridge on I-84.

ITD will develop an emergency contract to make repairs as quickly as possible. At this time, the department plans to remove and replace the damaged section. This is expected to take several months to complete. Details on the schedule, cost, and traffic impact of repairs will be shared as they are developed.

Test pile driving rescheduled for July 9-12 on I-84 at Northside Blvd.

Crews drive pylons into the ground for testing

Shoulder restrictions will be in place on Interstate 84 in Nampa at the Northside Boulevard interchange July 9-12. Crews will be driving test piles in the center median as part of early prep work for ITD’s Northside Interchange Replacement Project.

Pile driving will be done during the day; this work is noisy. No lane closures are anticipated, but drivers are urged to slow down and pay attention in the work zone. Crews will set up traffic control and a work zone the night of July 9 and are anticipated to be complete by the end of the week. Learn more at itd.idaho.gov/84corridor.

This work was originally scheduled to take place June 18-20. It was delayed due to wet ground conditions.

Idaho Highway 45 (12th Avenue) resurfacing in Nampa to begin next week

The Idaho Transportation Department will resurface a five-mile section of Idaho Highway 45 (12th Avenue) in Nampa beginning the week of June 18.

This maintenance is designed to seal and protect the roadway surface, and extend the life of the pavement.

Construction is scheduled from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. This schedule is designed to reduce impacts to the traveling public. The project will be complete in August.
The project limit extends from Deer Flat Road into downtown Nampa. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, pay attention, and watch for crews working in the area.

As part of this project, the city of Nampa will construct a median on the highway between Dewey Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. The median is designed to enhance safety and reduce the number of side-angle crashes in this heavily traveled location. A pedestrian signal was also constructed earlier this year in the vicinity.

Repaving of US-95 through Plummer to begin late June

Work will begin during the week of June 25 to repave ten miles of US-95 through Plummer to Moctileme Creek.

Travelers can expect alternating, one-way traffic during construction, which is scheduled to last until mid-August. Crews plan to be on site Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The highway will open to two lanes at night, and alternating entrances to businesses in town will be accessible at all times.

For the latest traffic impacts during construction, check 511.

Highway construction through Lewiston and Moscow to start late June

Construction to repair US-12 in Lewiston and US-95 in Moscow will begin the week of June 25 and is expected to last until mid-August.

Repairs will reduce rutting and create a smoother ride for travelers on US-12 in Lewiston from the Memorial Bridge to the Rose Garden, as well as through the town of Moscow on US-95/Jackson Street.

In Lewiston, one lane in each direction will remain open, and in Moscow, crews will keep at least one lane open. Drivers will still be able to access businesses during construction.

ITD will host an open house in Moscow at the city hall on June 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests may arrive at any time to learn more about construction details.

Any members of the public with questions about the Lewiston project can contact the project manager, Marvin Ramirez, at marvin.ramirez@itd.idaho.gov or (208) 799-4229.

#catchKenny and his crew inspecting bridges across the state

With more than 4,200 bridges to inspect around the state, various crews with the Idaho Transportation Department are responsible for the safety of several structures, but this year, they will have another teammate to rely on: Kenny.

Who is Kenny?

Kenny is the department’s newest under-bridge inspection truck, or UBIT. This Kenworth A-62 truck has an arm with a bucket that can extend 62 feet under, around and in the substructure of bridges. Equipment with greater reach, like Kenny, allows inspectors to examine every inch of a bridge’s underside for signs of stress, and recommend maintenance work based on what their inspection finds.

Since the department put him into service this January, Kenny has been hard at work. He and his team are expected to complete more than 100 bridge inspections this year alone, and as such, Kenny will be making tracks around the state.

To showcase employees’ efforts as they work tirelessly with the state’s most vulnerable infrastructure, ITD encourages social-media followers to #catchKenny out on the road.

If you come across an inspection, you can participate in the fun by pulling to the side, coming to a stop and safely snapping a photo and uploading it to social media using the hashtag to let ITD know.

Whether or not you #catchKenny this summer, cross those rivers, lakes and train tracks with peace of mind, knowing that your transportation department is constantly working to keep you moving safely on the road.

Sandpoint bridges to be inspected this week

The Long Bridge on US-95 and the adjacent pedestrian bridge near Sandpoint will undergo inspection this week to assess the need for future repairs.

Inspectors will use a boat and fly a drone underneath both bridges at the beginning of the week, with an on-the-bridge inspection of the Long Bridge on Thursday that starts at 7 a.m. and could last the entire day.

No lane closures are anticipated on the Long Bridge during this routine inspection, but travelers should expect slightly shifted lanes and be aware of reduced speeds throughout the area. The pedestrian bridge will not be impacted.

On June 14, an in-depth examination of both bridges will take place where inspectors will use the department’s newest UBIT, or under bridge inspection truck. This UBIT, which the bridge inspection crew named Kenny, has the ability to maneuver inspectors up to 62 feet under, around and in the substructure of bridges to check for signs of stress and recommend maintenance work.

Final repairs for both bridges are scheduled for 2022 and will help extend the service lives of the structures. The pedestrian bridge, which formerly served vehicular traffic across Lake Pend Oreille, was built in 1956, and the Long Bridge was built in 1981.

To follow Kenny’s path through the state, follow ITD on Facebook and use #catchKenny.