ITD to share plans tomorrow to widen I-84 between South Jerome and Twin Falls interchanges

View of Interstate 84 near Jerome, Idaho.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is holding an in-person meeting tomorrow (June 14) to share plans for widening Interstate 84 from the South Jerome Interchange to the Twin Falls Interchange. The meeting will be held at Con Paulos Chevrolet in Jerome from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will be held in open-house format and provide members of the public an opportunity to review design plans and provide input. If individuals are unable to participate at the in-person meeting, a self-guided online meeting option will be available from June 14 until June 28 at itdprojects.org/84jerometotwin.

The interstate serves as a major corridor through South-central Idaho and beyond, with traffic counts expected to double over the next 20 years. The purpose of this project is to increase capacity and improve safety. Once funding has been confirmed, construction may start as early as 2023.

“Widening this section of I-84 will allow us to proactively address capacity and safety needs between Jerome and Twin Falls,” said ITD Engineering Manager Crystal Craig. “We are advancing this project to construction as soon as possible and plan to keep the public involved through each phase.”

This design project is funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative. The program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build. Construction funding will be identified at the time that the project is ready to advertise for construction bids.

For more information on the project or to request updates, visit the project website at itdprojects.org/84jerometotwin or text 84JTF to 866-483-8422.

Public invited to view design plans for the I-84 South Jerome Interchange

Graphic illustration of I-84 South Jerome Interchange

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting a public meeting to present final design plans for the reconstruction of the Interstate 84 South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168). The meeting will be held in open house format on December 9 and will feature displays illustrating the new design.

The public is invited to attend anytime between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Jerome City Council Chambers located at 100 East Avenue A in Jerome. Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions and accept comments during this time.

For individuals who are not able to attend the open house in person, a self-guided online meeting option will be available between December 9 and December 30 at itdprojects.org/projects/i-84-south-jerome-interchange.

Originally built in 1966, the current interchange has reached its life expectancy and is in need of replacement. ITD has been working with stakeholders and engaging the public since 2017 to develop a design that will meet the needs of the community and accommodate future growth in the area.

Construction on the interchange is scheduled to begin in Fall 2023.

If individuals have questions or comments about the project and are unable to attend the in-person or self-guided online meetings, contact ITD Project Manager Nathan Jerke at (208) 886-7809 or nathan.jerke@itd.idaho.gov.

Bridge inspection to take place next week on Interstate 84 near Jerome

Image of ITD under-bridge inspection truck

Drivers can expect additional lane restrictions near Jerome next week as crews from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) perform a routine bridge inspection on Interstate 84.

On April 15 crews will inspect the bridge located near milepost 163. They will examine the bridge deck and deploy ITD’s under-bridge inspection truck from the eastbound lanes of I-84 and from the county road on the north side of the interstate.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane while inspections are underway. Work is expected to take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“We will begin with a left-lane closure in the I-84 eastbound lanes and then alternate to a right-lane closure as our inspection progresses,” said ITD Bridge Inspector Amy Bower. “These lane restrictions are separate from the nearby work zone between Jerome and Twin Falls, so it’s important that drivers are attentive when traveling on this section of I-84.”

Drivers are urged to exercise caution near the work zones and watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the patience and cooperation of those driving through the area.

Construction on I-84 in Jerome County to resume next month

Image of I-84 eastbound lanes in Jerome County

Work is expected to resume next month (March 8) on Interstate 84 between Jerome and Twin Falls (milepost 166 to 173). This is part of a larger construction project that began last year to provide a safer and smoother roadway.

“In 2020 we completed the westbound lanes,” ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé said. “In addition to rehabilitating seven miles, we also increased the length of ramps at interchanges, improved lighting and upgraded stormwater drainage. This year, we will complete work on the eastbound lanes of the highway.”

While construction is underway, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction.

“Drivers will utilize the same crossovers and temporary ramps we constructed last year to keep traffic moving during construction,” Dillé said. “Various activities may require changes in traffic patterns so it’s important that motorists pay attention to signs and not follow GPS while traveling through the work zone.”

Motorists should anticipate reduced speeds and watch for workers and heavy equipment. Electronic message boards and signage will be in place to direct drivers through the area.

Western Construction of Boise is the general contractor for this $15 million project that is expected to be complete midsummer.

Westbound ramp closure tomorrow at the Salt Lake Interchange

Image of traffic pattern change at Salt Lake Interchange

The westbound off-ramp at Exit 1 on Interstate 86 at the Salt Lake Interchange is expected to be closed tomorrow (Dec. 3) from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Motorists heading west from Pocatello to Salt Lake will need to take Exit 216 at the Declo Interchange and re-enter I-84 toward Salt Lake. Eastbound traffic will not be affected by this closure.

Click here to see an image of the traffic pattern.

“This is follow-up work in connection to the closure that occurred late last month. It will be a short duration closure that will allow us to smooth the asphalt on the off-ramp,” Project Manager Travis Hitchcock said. “The asphalt work and additional signage installation are the remaining items left for this project.”

Drivers are urged to pay close attention to signage and message boards that will direct them through the area.

Wadsworth Brothers Construction of Draper, Utah, is the primary contractor on this project that involves replacement of an aging interchange with a new structure that will better serve motorists in the region.

Westbound ramp closure to begin tomorrow at the Salt Lake Interchange

The westbound off-ramp at Exit 1 on Interstate 86 at the Salt Lake Interchange is expected to be closed from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow and Friday (Nov. 19-20).

Motorists heading west from Pocatello to Salt Lake will need to take Exit 216 at the Declo Interchange and re-enter I-84 toward Salt Lake. Eastbound traffic will not be affected by this closure.

Click here to see an image of the traffic pattern.

“Work on the off-ramp must be done during the day when temperatures are high enough to properly seal the asphalt,” Project Manager Kenny Lively said. “This is one of the final steps needed for us to complete the project this winter.”

Drivers are urged to pay close attention to signage and message boards that will direct them through the area.

New traffic pattern in place next week at Salt Lake Interchange project

Image of construction on the Salt Lake Interchange project

As early as Thursday (Oct. 15), traffic will shift on Interstate 84/86 at the Salt Lake Interchange project. Motorists traveling toward Pocatello from Burley on I-84 will be detoured toward Salt Lake. They will take Exit 228 at Yale Road and then enter I-84 westbound and continue on to I-86 toward Pocatello.

“This detour will allow us to complete demolition of the aged eastbound bridge structure.” ITD Project Manager Travis Hitchcock said. “This will be the final demolition phase for this project.”

In addition to the Yale Road detour, westbound traffic progressing from I-86 to I-84 will now continue through the work zone in their designated lane of travel.

“These are new traffic patterns which replace others previously in place throughout this project,” stated Hitchcock. “It’s important that drivers pay close attention to signage and message boards that will be in place to safely direct them through the area.”

Traffic will remain reduced to a single lane in each direction. Drivers should continue to anticipate reduced speeds through the work zone and watch for crews and heavy equipment.

Wadsworth Brothers Construction, of Draper, Utah is the prime contractor on this project.

Westbound I-84 on-ramp closure expected next week at Exit 168 in Jerome County

Work is expected to begin next Monday (Sept. 21) on the Interstate 84 westbound on-ramp for Exit 168. This is part of the interstate rehabilitation project that has been underway since May of this year to provide a safer and smoother ride for motorists.

The Exit 168 westbound on-ramp will be closed while crews work on three drainage pipes in the area. Motorists will need to use Exit 165 to access westbound lanes on the interstate.

Message boards and traffic control will be in place to direct drivers. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

“We are nearing the completion of storm water pipework for this project,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Brock Dillé. “After this is complete, we will begin paving the newly constructed westbound lanes.”

Rehabilitation of the westbound lanes is expected to be complete by the end of this year. Work on the eastbound lanes will begin in the spring of 2021.

The general contractor is Western Construction of Boise.

Crews successfully slide new I-84 bridge into place

demolition of the blacks creek bridge begins

Normally, bridges moving is not something an engineer wants to see, but this weekend construction crews slid the first of two new bridges at the Interstate 84 Blacks Creek Interchange sixty feet into place — where it will stay for decades to come.

The slide-in-place maneuver was designed to minimize impacts to the heavily traveled Interstate. Crews construct the bulk of the new bridge right next to the existing structure. When ready, the old bridge is demolished and the replacement structure is slid into place.

“The driving force behind choosing a lateral bridge slide method was our focus on the people we serve and their ability to get where they need to go.” said Patrick Kelly, the ITD project manager overseeing the work. “We were able to keep lanes open during the entire bridge construction process. Once it was ready, we closed the eastbound lanes, demolished the old structure, pushed the new bridge into place, and are wrapping up construction on the adjacent roadway. In the end, we will have closed interstate lanes of traffic for weeks rather than months.”

The whole process, from demolition to reopening traffic, will take two to three weeks. Normal bridge replacements can take several months. With the new bridge in place, crews have just a few final items to complete, including work at the bridge abutments and repaving approaches.

To get the bridge from temporary footings to its permanent home, crews lay down Teflon pads and cover them with dish soap. Then, heavy machinery pushes and pulls the structure into place. It’s a surprisingly effective way to reduce friction and easily move the massive structure.

“Seeing how smoothly the bridge slid into place was very satisfying.” said Kelly. “It has been months of planning, preparation, and a lot of hard work to get to this point. The crews from Knife River have done a wonderful job and should be very proud of the work they’ve done.”

This method has been used before in the Gem State when, in 2014, the Lardo Bridge on ID-55 in McCall was replaced. There, as it is at Blacks Creek, the highway is an essential connection and lengthy disruptions are very impactful.

The second bridge for the westbound lanes has been constructed next to the old structure. Crews are currently finishing up the eastbound side of the interchange, including work on ramps and Blacks Creek Road. They will be ready to slide the westbound bridge into place in early August using the same method.

For more information about the project, visit ITDprojects.org/i-84-blacks-creek-interchange/.

Evening traffic on I-84 in Jerome County to experience intermittent delays beginning next week for controlled median blasting

On Monday (July 20) work in the median of Interstate 84 will require traffic to be intermittently delayed. This is part of the interstate rehabilitation project that has been underway since May of this year. Carefully controlled blasting is required to loosen the hard rock in the median.

“We completed crossovers earlier this month and are now moving into the next phase of the project which entails storm water and draining construction,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Brock Dillé. “This phase of the project requires us to blast portions of the median which will have a short term impact on traffic.”

For the safety of drivers, traffic must be stopped in the surrounding area while blasting is underway.

“There are four locations in the median that we need to address,” stated Dillé. “We expect these activities to take place on various days between July 20 to August 20. Blasting may produce delays for motorists up to 60 minutes although we anticipate the delays to be much shorter.”

In addition to traffic being stopped on I-84, the interstate on ramps at Exit 165 eastbound, 168 westbound and 173 westbound will also be closed while blasting occurs. A portion of the work will require closures on the north and south frontage roads (Bob Barton Road and East Frontage Road) as well.

After each blast, crews will ensure the roadway is safe and free of all debris before reopening the highway to traffic.

Dillé explains that timing of this work is very important. “We have to blast during daylight hours, but we are very conscious of the impact it will have on the traveling public, which is why we are undertaking this task in the evening when traffic on the interstate is past its peak hours.”

Blasting will not begin before 7:30 pm.

ITD is asking motorists to consider using alternate routes while this activity is underway. Electronic message boards and signage will be placed on the interstate several days in advance of each event. Motorists are advised to adhere to signs and pay attention to flaggers and pace cars that will be utilized to slow traffic on the interstate.

The general contractor is Western Construction of Boise.