ITD districts collaborate on bridge projects to save taxpayers nearly $5 million

RIGBY – A unique Idaho Transportation Department collaboration within Districts 4, 5 and 6 — the south-central, southeastern and eastern idaho regions of the state — allowed those groups to come together and identify 17 bridges in dire need of replacement.

The team created one project that combined all 17, saving more than $3 million in construction, plus an estimated $100,000 per bridge ($1.7 million) during the design phase — a grand total of $4.7 million.

“When estimated, ITD had budgeted $27 million for this unique project,” said District 6’s Josh Sprague, who identified the savings as the former D6 Innovation Steward. “Once our budget was set, the bid opened at just $24 million.”

This allowed ITD to save money while increasing mobility and economic opportunity.

“The incredible savings are associated with grouping projects across district lines and working together,” said Sprague.

They also were successful in finishing the data collection and concept designs necessary for these 17 bridges at a fraction of the cost of doing each individually.

“Combining the 17 projects into one saves a significant amount of money for taxpayers, but the biggest benefit is time,” said D6 District Engineer Jason Minzghor. “This accelerates the whole process, so we can make needed repairs more quickly for the users of the highway system.”

Each of the bridges had reached their 50-year life span, so they all were in need of replacement. Each bridge will be brought up to current design standards; being wider to accommodate wider shoulders or future widenings, and in most cases longer, to better accommodate ever-changing waterways. As a result of the future shoulder widenings, ITD also will be minimizing the amount of guardrail needed.

By constructing 17 bridges under one contract, long-term impacts to the traveling public are minimized by:

– Grouping together similar bridges in similar areas
– Using concrete barrier for the safety of drivers and construction personnel
– Traffic drives on a paved surface at all times
– One lane is required to be open at all times

Open house July 31 in Athol to share proposed safety improvements to US-95

The Idaho Transportation Department will share plans to improve safety on US-95 north of Athol at an open house Tuesday, July 31 at the Athol Community Center.

Proposed safety improvements to US-95 near Granite Hill include:

– Construction of continuous frontage roads on both sides of the highway
– Realignment of the Trails End Road intersection
– Possible expansion of the highway to two lanes in both directions

Members of the public may stop by any time between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to learn more and to comment.

Those unable to attend the open house may also comment online between July 31 and August 14 by visiting itd.idaho.gov/d1, finding the “Projects” tab and selecting “US-95: Granite North Improvements.”

ITD seeks comment Aug. 1 for US-95 safety project north of CDA

The Idaho Transportation Department invites members of the public to comment on proposed safety improvements to US-95 at the intersections of Idaho Highway 53 and Garwood Road by attending an open house.

The open house will be held Wednesday, August 1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the district office in Coeur d’Alene.

“US-95 is a primary north-south corridor through a rapidly developing area,” ITD project manager Joey Sprague said. “ITD has been planning for how to address growth and safety needs along this corridor for more than a decade, and we are excited that funding is now available to construct these improvements.”

The proposed project will:

Construct a new single-point urban interchange at US-95 and ID-53.
Realign and widen the shoulders of ID-53 from Ramsey Road to intersect more directly with US-95.
Replace the existing deficient ID-53 bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR).
Provide an overpass at Garwood Road over US-95 and the UPRR (eliminate direct access to US-95 at Garwood Road).
Extend Government Way as an east-side frontage road from ID-53 to the intersection of Garwood and Pope Roads.
Construct a roundabout at ID-53 and Government Way.
Extend pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

This project will improve safety while also planning for future growth and mobility in the area. Additionally, eliminating traffic signals on US-95 at ID-53 and Garwood Road will allow for a speed limit increase on US-95 to 70 mph through that section.

The final design is scheduled to be complete by spring 2019, and construction is scheduled to start during summer 2019. The project is estimated to cost $41 million to construct.

Planning for this project started in 2010 with the completion of a study of US-95 between Garwood and Sagle. In 2017, ITD started designing the realignment of ID-53 and the replacement of the bridge over the UPRR. The project scope expanded in mid-2017 to include a new ID-53 interchange, an overpass for Garwood Road and frontage roads when additional funding was secured through the GARVEE Expansion Program.

Members of the public can contact the project team by emailing US95Corridor@itd.idaho.gov or calling (208) 772-1200. For more information and to comment online until August 15, visit itd.idaho.gov/d1, find the projects tab and select “US-95: ID-53 Interchange.”

Open house July 26 on second stage of US-95 reconstruction through Bonners Ferry

The Idaho Transportation Department invites the public to attend an open house Thursday, July 26 to learn more about the second stage of US-95 reconstruction through Bonners Ferry.

The open house will be held at the high school gymnasium between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Those unable to attend may comment online from July 26 to August 10. This open house will focus solely on the second stage of improvements, which does not include the removal of the signal at Alderson Lane.

During the second stage of reconstruction, improvements will be made between Alderson Lane and Labrosse Hill Street. Proposed safety and mobility improvements include:

– The creation of a consistent three-lane highway with wider shoulders
– The addition sidewalks along both sides of the roadway to increase pedestrian safety and provide greater access to businesses
– An updated stormwater system to improve drainage
– New lighting to improve visibility

To find the project website, visit itd.idaho.gov/d1, find the “Projects” tab and select “US-95: Bonners Ferry Reconstruction.”

Design for this stage is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2019, with construction set to begin in 2021.

New start date for landslide repairs to ID-5 near Plummer

Update: Repairs will now begin the week of July 23.

Repairs to Idaho Highway 5 near Plummer will begin the week of July 9.

Construction will fix damage caused by a March 2017 landslide at milepost 5.8. Crews will remove and replace unstable material below the highway. New material is designed to anchor the hillside and prevent future landslides.

Travelers can expect short delays while flaggers and signals guide traffic through the one-lane work zone. Crews will typically be on site every day but Sunday.

Construction will last two months. Check 511 for the latest traffic updates.

Updated schedule released for north-central Idaho sealcoats

Update as of July 16: Idaho Highway 11 between Greer and the top of Greer Grade will not be sealcoated this week. Crews will move on to Idaho Highway 11 from Weippe to Grangemont Road while the Greer Grade portion is rescheduled.

To extend the life of previously completed highway projects, sealcoats will be applied to several highways throughout the region starting July 9. The newly-treated surface helps preserve the pavement and provides for better vehicle traction.

When sealcoats are applied, roadways will be reduced to one lane. Motorists should anticipate short delays and watch for the presence of pilot cars.

Sealcoating is a roadway surface treatment best applied during the hot and dry months of summer when chips of aggregate will properly adhere to an oil layer deposited on the highway.

Drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay attention within the work zones, as chips placed during the sealcoating process have the potential to cause windshield damage.

Crews will begin applying sealcoats in the order below:

July 9: Idaho Highway 8 from Moscow to Troy (11.7 miles)
July 12: Idaho Highway 8 from Deary to Bovill (10.2 miles)
July 16: Idaho Highway 11 from Greer to the top of Greer Grade (8 miles)
July 20: Idaho Highway 11 from Weippe to Grangemont Road (11 miles)

All sealcoats are expected to be completed by the end of July.

ITD and Idaho State Police lower speed limit in south-central Idaho on stretch of I-84 in construction zone

The Idaho Transportation Department and Idaho State Police will lower the speed limit to 65 mph July 14^th in a stretch of Interstate 84 within an active construction zone east of Twin Falls. The reduction is being made to maximize the safety of drivers traveling through the area.

ITD south-central Idaho Traffic Engineer Bruce Christensen stated “speeds are an important factor in any traffic control plan, but motorists putting away distractions and paying attention to the roadway is paramount in keeping our roadways safe.”

“The posted speed limit is a maximum during ideal conditions — it is not meant to replace a driver’s good judgment,” he added.

Work zone speed limits are determined in accordance with federal guidelines set by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Additional factors taken into account when determining speed limits are physical barriers like sight restrictions or curve radiuses, and observed traffic flow.

Lieutenant Robert Rausch, a Deputy District Commander with ISP, said “we are seeing problems related to impatience and inattentiveness when drivers enter a work zone. Motorists are often time driving too aggressively for the area and not affording themselves enough space to safely react to changes in traffic flow.”

“There are a lot of moving parts in a work zone and that’s why drivers need to do everything they can to stay engaged,” said Ken Corder from the Office of Highway Safety. “There are new traffic patterns, heavy machines, and workers in these areas trying to improve our roads—we can do our part to slow down and put away the distractions.”

“The goal of every traffic-control plan is to ensure that traffic flows safely and efficiently regardless of how many vehicles are on the road or the type of vehicle,” said ITD District Engineer Devin Rigby. “If speeds are continually fluctuating, or if traffic comes to a standstill on the interstate, the safety concerns mount.”

Drivers also have an important role to play. The most common contributing factors in Idaho crashes are aggressive driving, distracted driving, and impaired driving — all of which are human-caused. In fact, about 94% of serious-injury crashes are caused by human error.

The time between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends are often referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days” because it’s a time of year when deadly crashes tend to spike. As the timeframe indicates, we are currently in the middle of this unfortunate period. According to preliminary reports, there have been at least 40 reported fatalities on Idaho roads since the 2018 Memorial Day weekend began.

“One thing I like to stress during these summer months is for drivers to plan ahead and be prepared,” said Lieutenant Rausch. “Be prepared for the unfortunate event of your vehicle breaking down, plan ahead to ensure you always have a sober driver, and make sure you are never driving drowsy or distracted.”

Construction will begin on Idaho 55 next week (July 16) near McCall

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin a project next week (July 16) to resurface Idaho Highway 55 between New Meadows and McCall and construct a new retaining wall east of Brundage. The project will improve driving conditions and safety on this heavily traveled route.

From July to late August, crews will work between Zachary Road in McCall and Goose Lake Road near Brundage. View the postcard for details.

In order to keep traffic moving during the busy summer season, crews will work from 12 a.m. Monday to 12 p.m. Friday. All lanes will be open on weekends.

During the week, ID-55 will be reduced to one lane both day and night with a pilot car directing traffic. The speed limit will be reduced and 12-foot width restrictions will be in place.

“This will be a tight construction zone and we are asking for drivers’ patience during the work week. Please slow down in the work zone and pay close attention to signage, as crews will be working close to traffic,” said ITD Project Manager Jim Hoffecker.

Construction will move to the area between Goose Lake Road and Goose Creek Grade in late August. The project is expected to be completed this fall.

Nampa to Marsing, ID-55 preservation projects begin after 4th of July Holiday week

Map of seal coat project on ID-55 from Nampa to Marsing

A pavement rehabilitation project between Nampa and Marsing is scheduled to begin July 9 and conclude in late July/early August. Work will seal the pavement and extend the life of the roadway.

The first phase, a six-mile micro-seal from Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard to Farmway Road, will occur in the evening (10 pm – 5 am). Work is expected to conclude the week of July 16.

The second phase, an eight-mile chip-seal from Farmway to the Snake River Bridge at Marsing, will occur during daylight hours. Work is expected to conclude in late July.

During both phases, motorists can expect reduced speeds and up to 15-minute delays as traffic will be periodically reduced to one-lane with a pilot car guiding traffic. Where work is occurring, intersections will be controlled by flaggers with minimal delays. Motorists are encouraged to drive with caution through the work zone.

Schedules are subject to change. The contractor is permitted to work weekends. For up-to-date construction information, visit 511.idaho.gov.

Holiday Travelers are Reminded to Drive Well

Independence Day is nearly and for many of us that means fireworks, barbeques and road trips.

As Idahoans prepare for their holiday travels, the Idaho Office of Highway Safety reminds them to be engaged behind the wheel.

“It’s an exciting time of year,” said Highway Safety Manager John Tomlinson. “There is so much going on both inside and outside of the car that it really takes a conscious effort to stay focused.”

The busy travel holiday comes in the midst of the 100 Deadliest Days on Idaho roads. Since the Memorial Day weekend there have been at least 30 people killed in traffic crashes.

This year, is expected to be a busy one for people looking to get away for the Fourth of July both nationally and right here in Idaho. AAA predicts 47 million people will travel for the holiday, including a quarter million Idahoans.

“As with the national totals, we expect about a five percent increase in auto travel and an eight percent increase in air travel,” said Matthew Conde, public affairs director for AAA Idaho. “July 3 is expected to be the busiest day, particularly as vacationers mingle with commuters in the afternoon.”

In addition to additional motorists being on the roads, there will also be an increased presence from law enforcement agencies taking part in a statewide effort to get drunk drivers off the road.

“A lot of holiday cookouts involve alcohol and we just don’t want to see people get behind the wheel after a few drinks,” Tomlinson said.

“We also encourage careful and responsible celebration – alcohol does not mix well with fireworks, boating, or driving,” added Conde.