I-84 WEST GARVEE CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PLAN
SUMMARY
This overall project will be completed through a series of projects along the corridor over the next several years. The Corridor limits along Interstate 84 are from Caldwell, to the Eagle Road Interchange. The original highway constructed in 1968 has had no major improvements since it was constructed. the pavement is now deteriorated and extremely rutted in many locations along the corridor cannot handle the current volume of traffic that it must now carry. Also this section of freeway is the scene of frequent accidents and traffic delays. Below are a list of projects that intend to correct the substandard conditions of the current roadway
THINKING FORWARD
The purpose of this project is to widen Interstate 84 from 4 to 6 or 8-lanes from Nampa to the Meridian interchange. Including: reconstruction of several bridges along the project area and operational improvements to the freeway. The project also includes, construction of a new interchange at Ten Mile Road
PROJECT UPDATES
A third mixed use lane was completed, and dedicated on October 30, 2009 between Meridian Road and Garrity Boulevard. Ultimately the interstate 84 corridor was designed to allow for four Lanes in each direction. Work is also complete on overpasses at Black Cat Road and Robinson Boulevard. Work still continues on other projects, such as the 10 mile interchange. And recently announced a new single-point urban interchange (SPUI) concept at Meridian Road, this interchange design would be the most optimal type of interchange for this location.
Other work includes the north a lead of avenue overpass north of Nampa which will be reconstructed to about widening of the freeway east word to the new Karcher Connector and eventually to Caldwell. Additional updates to the web sites and will be the added travel Lanes between Garrity Boulevard/Idaho Center Boulevard and Caldwell.
The Garrity Boulevard underpass will be completely reconstructed. The interchange design were in the same as far as the ramp configuration is concerned, however new bridges will be built across Garrity Boulevard to remove the two sets of pillars on each bridge that currently split the lanes on Garrity Boulevard.
The major construction phase of this project began in May of 2008 when the median of Interstate it to stop the 84 was closed and work to install drainage and build the roadbase began. in August of 2008 work on temporary lanes began to reroute approx 3 miles of westbound traffic. Those temporary lanes opened to traffic on September 11th 2008. Once closed the old westbound lanes were torn up and new portland cement concrete pavement with an asphaltic concrete base was laid down.
The eastern half of the Franklin Blvd overpass in Nampa was torn down in late August 2008, and work on the new overpass continues. New bridge piers, Abutments and Bents are all in place and work to construct the bridge deck is now underway. At this rate the bridge should be open to traffic soon, maybe as early as late spring or summer 2009.
The Robinson and Black Cat Bridges and approach roads have been closed down and bridges demolished. work continues constructing the new bridge approaches and foundation. Bridge sections for the Black Cat and Robinson bridges were being constructed off to the side of the freeway. Work on the bridge sections was stopped when one of the sections of the bridge deck collapsed during a concrete pour. 14 workers were injured as they rode the structure down to the ground. Work has been indefinitely suspended until an investigation into what caused the collapse has been completed. Work on new bridges is expected to continue after the investigation, but the new timeline is yet to be determined.
In December 2008 Traffic was shifted to the newly constructed lanes heading westbound between Meridian and Black Cat. Eastbound Traffic has been shifted onto temporary lanes on the north side of the freeway, between Garrity and Ten Mile, and onto the newly constructed westbound lanes between Ten Mile and Meridian.
Work is now underway to remove the pavement from the old eastbound lanes and construct the new eastbound lanes.
Stay tuned for more updates on this major project.
PROJECT STATS
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PROJECT DETAILS
WIDENING AND PAVEMENT REHAB. GARRITY TO MERIDIAN
Will add a third mixed-use lane to the inside right of way in each direction and rehabilitate pavement by grinding down (or milling) the existing asphalt surface and overlaying it with a new application of asphaltic concrete. This project will also prepare the freeway for a future fourth mixed use lane to be added to the inside median in the future.
They left themWIDENING AND PAVEMENT REHAB. CALDWELL TO GARRITY
Will add a third mixed-use lane to the inside right of way in each direction. Work on the widening will be completed in stages. Currently added travel Lanes are expected to be completed between Garrity Boulevard and N. Franklin Boulevard. Eventually at some point the added travel Lanes could be extended to the Karcher Connector, or the new 2026 interchange southeast of Caldwell.
TEN MILE ROAD INTERCHANGE
Will construct new interchange and overpass.
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT; BLACK CAT ROAD AND ROBINSON BLVD OVERPASSES
Will replace existing Black Cat Road and Robinson Blvd overpasses over I-84 to allow for expansion of the interstate highway. The bridges will also be taller allowing taller trucks and vehicles to have more clearance under the bridges.
GARRITY/IDAHO CENTER BLVD INTERCHANGE
Will reconstruct interchange and overpass. Possible SPUI design
INTERCHANGE REPLACEMENT; MERIDIAN ROAD SPUI
An upgraded interchange at Meridian Road is long overdue. Conceptual plans include a single-point urban interchange (SPUI). Which would provide the maximum amount of traffic throughput with a minimal interchange footprint. This section of Meridian Road has numerous interchanges that are closely spaced together. In addition state route 69 terminates at this intersection. This is the major north south highway that connects Kuna to the rest of the Treasure Valley.
Once complete this interchange could have three through lanes on Meridian Road, with two left turning lanes in each direction. It is unknown if this will coincide with Meridian's one way coupleet project.
GARRITY/IDAHO CENTER BLVD INTERCHANGE
Will reconstruct interchange and overpass. Possible SPUI design
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT; NORTH FRANKLIN BLVD OVERPASS (EASTERN SECTION)
Will replace existing Eastern (Northbound) span of the N Franklin Blvd overpass over I-84. New bridge will be tied in to the already built Western (Southbound) span to create one bridge structure. The new bridhge will also allow for widening of I-84.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
This freeway route is vital to the Idaho's Infrastructure and important for interstate commerce throughout the northwest. Several sections of interstate 84 through the treasure valley are starting to deteriorate rutting is visible in the travel lanes along the interstate throughout the region especially between Nampa and Meridian, where the freeway sees the heaviest use. this project is vital to increasing the traffic volume that can travel through the Treasure Valley, reducing commute times for those who drive in from the growing communities of Nampa and Caldwell as well as future planned communities to the southeast of Boise. The projects have suffered some setbacks, since they have been scaled back from their original scope due to budget constraints. These projects are part of the original Connecting Idaho Project set into motion by Kempthorne, They are now known as the GARVEE Transportation Program.
TENTATIVE DETAILS
Current freeway upgrages include Widening the interstate to 6 lanes from the Garrity Interchange in Nampa to the Meridian interchange. The construction of a new interchange at Ten Mile Road, The reconstruction of a the interchange at Garrity/Idaho Center Blvd, and other interchange improvements. Widening of the interstate to 6 lanes between Garrity Blvd and Meridian Road. Interchange improvements include longer acceleration and deceleration lanes, reconstructed interchanges, and bridge replacements.
VISION FOR INTERSTATE 84
This freeway should be widened to 8 lanes minimum from the Garrity interchange in Nampa to the Meridian interchange, and 6 lanes from Garrity west to Franklin Rd in Caldwell.
All pavement should be replaced with high endurance Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) to maximize life. Harsh winter weather and traction control devices cause a great deal of damage to the roadway surface. Additionally all green panel directional/exit signs should be replaced with new lighted reflective overhead Directional signs.
Interchanges should be reconfigured along the route to maximize traffic flow. Signal priority should be given to traffic exiting the freeway at busy offramps. Specific interchanges needing special attention are: The Garrity Interchange, which should be reconstructed with new overpasses to allow traffic to pass underneath without lane separations. Also the Meridian interchange should be constructed. preferably as a single-Point Urban interchange (SPUI).
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Updated 09/14/2008