TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Lane reductions anticipated next week on the Perrine Bridge

Image of the Perrine Bridge near Twin Falls

Lane reductions are anticipated next week on the Perrine Bridge as the Idaho Transportation Department moves heavy equipment from one end of the structure to the other. Weather permitting, work is expected to begin Tuesday morning (Sept. 24) at approximately 8:15 a.m.

Crews will first work on the northbound lanes before moving to the southbound lanes. Closures of the right lane will alternate between north and southbound traffic as crews perform work in relation to that direction.

Motorists are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for current updates on road conditions and restrictions.

Additional traffic advisories regarding the bridge will be disseminated when impacts are expected.

Perrine Bridge inspection to take place next week near Twin Falls

From Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2 crews will walk the arch of the Perrine Bridge as part of a routine inspection. An unmanned aerial vehicle (commonly known as a drone or UAV) will also be deployed to examine the structure.

This will be the first time the Idaho Transportation Department has employed a drone for this type of bridge inspection. Close monitoring will be done throughout the process to determine whether efficiencies can be gained through UAV use which could benefit further bridge assessments throughout the state.

Base jumping may be subject to short restrictions during portions of the examination. ITD will provide personnel stationed on the bridge to coordinate with inspection crews and jumpers during regulated periods.

Weather permitting, inspection will occur from approximately 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Photos from this and other bridge inspections will be shared on ITD’s social media platforms:

– Instagram: @Idaho_Transportation_Dept
– Facebook: @IdahoTransportationDepartment
– Twitter: @IdahoITD

Replacement of Salmon Falls Creek Bridge on US-30 to begin June 10

Work is expected to begin Monday, June 10 on Salmon Falls Creek Bridge near Banbury Hot Springs in Twin Falls County. During construction, ITD will replace the US-30 bridge structure, rebuild approaches, and replace associated guardrail. Construction on the project is expected to be complete by next spring.

The current bridge has exceeded its life expectancy. The new structure will be both wider and longer – accommodating two 12-foot lanes in each direction. A left-turn lane will also be added as part of this project.

Traffic on this section of US-30 will be reduced to one lane through the work zone with a temporary traffic signal in place. Motorists may encounter minor delays and are cautioned to watch for crews during working hours – Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The general contractor is RSCI from Boise.

Traffic reduced over Snake River Bridge in Marsing

The Snake River Bridge will be reduced to one lane beginning Tuesday, April 9 in preparation for rebuilding the bridge.

What to expect at the Snake River Bridge:

Temporary traffic signals will be placed on both sides of the bridge to direct traffic.
Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes.
The speed limit on the bridge will be reduced from 35 mph. to 25 mph.

The lane and the speed reductions on the Snake River Bridge will remain in effect until the bridge rebuild is complete. ITD will begin reconstructing the north side of ID-55 on April 9. Traffic will be switched to the south side of ID-55 in downtown Marsing while crews begin to reconstruct the north side of ID-55.

What to expect on ID-55:

Work will occur between 4th Avenue and Riverfront.
Work will occur during daytime hours.
Temporary traffic signals will direct traffic. Expect delays of up to 15 minutes.
Driveway access will remain open with brief delays.

Pedestrians are encouraged to use the south side of ID-55.

Replacement of North Side Canal Bridge deck on I-84 to occur in Jerome County

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin work Monday (April 8) on replacement of an eastbound bridge deck spanning the North Side Canal on Interstate 84 south of Hazelton (MP 194).

Eastbound and westbound traffic on this portion of I-84 will be reduced to one lane throughout the work zone. The eastbound interstate on-ramp at Exit 194 will also be closed for the duration of this project.

Drivers should expect reduced speeds throughout the work zone and watch for crews during working hours – Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Work is expected to be completed in June.

The contractor on this project is Knife River of Boise.

Bridge replacements on US-20 in Camas and Blaine counties to begin next week

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin work April 1, 2019 on two bridge construction projects along US-20. The new crossings will be located over Willow Creek in Camas County (MP 164) and Rock Creek in Blaine County (MP 173).

During construction, ITD will remove aging culverts and surrounding earthwork at both locations, and construct new crossings over the waterways.

“Due to age and corrosion of the pipelines, both culverts are in need of replacement,” said ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé. “We analyzed multiple options regarding these crossings before determining that bridge designs would have the best long term value for both Willow Creek and Rock Creek.”

The structure spanning Willow Creek will be a 170-foot steel girder bridge while the structure spanning Rock Creek will be a 159-foot concrete girder bridge. As an added result of the forthcoming bridge structures, ITD will also be able to restore the streams to a more natural condition, which in turn should have a positive effect on the surrounding ecosystem.

Construction on the crossings will occur simultaneously. Each work zone is anticipated to encompass one mile with approximately seven miles between each site.

Click here for a map of the region.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in the construction zone with width restrictions anticipated. Temporary traffic lights will be in place throughout the duration of the project and reduced speed limits will also be in effect.

ITD and the Idaho State Police advise motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov fo r information on the state highway or interstate system.

Work is expected to last through December.

Knife River is the contractor for both projects.

District and HQ collaborate to expedite I-84 bridge repair

Earlier last week, crews in District 4 worked with the Headquarters Bridge section to repair damaged bridge joints on Interstate 84 near Glenns Ferry. It was most likely damaged due to the lower position of that joint compared to the rest of bridge deck and the resulting impact and vibration of passing vehicles. You can hear it on this video.

During a routine inspection, HQ Bridge Inspector Toby Griffin found that a portion of the bridge joint was missing, and another section was broken and loose.

“I was in the area doing a routine inspection of railroad structures below when I heard loud clanking sounds coming from the bridge deck above,” said Griffin. “This was not normal, so I investigated further and discovered the broken joint.”

Toby texted a photo of the damage to his supervisor, Dan Gorley, who quickly reached out to D4 Maintenance Coordinator Shawn Webb.

After discussing the situation, it was determined that a lane closure would ensure the safety of motorists driving westbound on the interstate. Despite it being after normal working hours, crews were onsite and implementing traffic control within the hour, while district and headquarter personnel worked into the evening to develop an emergency repair plan.

The following morning, crews were dispatched to the bridge deck to begin work. Repairs included removal of broken bolts, rethreading of damaged base plates, and welding and re-installment of the broken finger joint section.

“This was a great example of ITD personnel working together in an efficient and collaborative effort to ensure successful execution of one of the department’s key mission points – safety,” said Webb. “Four separate crews came together quickly to work as one to find a viable solution that allowed us to reopen the roadway within 24 hours of the initial discovery.”

The Bliss Foreman area crew, the D4 Bridge crew, the D4 Welder/Machinist, and personnel from HQ’s Bridge Inspection crew all participated in repair efforts of the broken bridge joint.

Planning is underway for development of a strategy to address the joints located on the westbound and eastbound bridges at this location. Webb stated that “the goal is to have a more permanent solution regarding this issue in the near future.”

Emerald Street Connector Overpass opens Saturday

Crews wrap up the repavement of the Emerald St. overpass along I-184

BOISE – Bridge preservation work on the Emerald Street overpass of I-184 (the Connector) between Cole Road and Curtis Road, is complete. The bridge reopens to all traffic beginning Saturday morning (May 19).

Preservation work on additional Treasure Valley bridges will continue this summer at the following locations:

I-84, Meridian Road Interchange
I-84, Broadway Avenue Interchange
I-84, Cole-Overland Interchange
I-84, Gowen Road Interchange
Broadway Avenue, Boise River Bridge

Unlike at Emerald, remaining work will not require full closures and most work will be completed at night. Motorists can expect lane reductions and reduced speeds.

“Bridge preservation work is intended to strengthen the bridge surfaces and extend the life of the pavement, reducing the need for additional maintenance at a later date,” said Crystal Grasmick, ITD Project Manager. “We appreciate the traveling public’s patience as we work through these important improvements.”

Cannon Builders, Inc. is the contractor on this $2.7 million project. For up-to-date traffic impact information, visit 511.idaho.gov.

Bridge replacements and pavement rehabilitation to begin on U.S. 95 near Parma in mid-April

Reconstruction of two bridges on U.S. 95 in Parma will begin in mid-April.

Work will occur at the junction of U.S. 95 and U.S. 20/26 and include the reconstruction of the Union Pacific Railroad overpass, Sand Hollow Creek Bridge and nearby pavement rehabilitation.

*The project is scheduled to be complete this winter.

*A posted detour will be in place during the project. A separate truck detour will also be posted. The speed limited will be reduced to 45 mph in the work zone. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph on U.S. 20/26 when shoulder or median work is occurring. Flaggers will assist motorists through the work zone during different phases of the project.

*Most work will occur Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays.

Motorists are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for construction updates and detour information. For a full list of construction projects scheduled to begin across southwest Idaho, please visit our website at itd.idaho.gov/d3 and click on the construction tab. Some updates will also appear on Twitter and Facebook.

With nearly 45 projects scheduled across the region this year, please plan ahead, slow down, and give yourself enough time when traveling through each work zone.

Work on East Kooskia Bridge finishes early

With crews working long hours and the weekend, work on the East Kooskia Bridge finished ahead of time and the bridge opened to travel Feb. 28, at least a week early. The improvements allowed ITD to boost the bridge’s load-carrying capacity from 6,000 lb. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) to 16-20 tons GVW, depending on axles.

It’s just the latest example of ITD providing great service to our customers, the users of the transportation system.

Work on the 82-year-old bridge began Feb. 20 and finished by the end of the month. Prior to repairs, the bridge’s condition allowed only for lightweight passenger vehicles.

The 481-foot-long, steel-truss bridge is on the Idaho 13 Business Route, just off U.S. 12. It is a single-lane structure at milepost 75.2 built in 1935.