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I-15 in Idaho is set for its first big makeover
Teya Vitu//April 25, 2017//
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Get used to one lane in each direction on stretches of Interstate 15 in eastern Idaho until 2021.
Idaho Transportation Department on April 16 started the first of nine freeway resurfacing and bridge improvement projects this year to replace pavement on 53 miles of I-15. The department will also rehabilitate four pairs of 40-year-old bridges in Pocatello and two bridges in Anklom built in 1962 and 1963.
The five-year, $162.8 million asphalt replacement program is the first major overhaul of those stretches of I-15 since the freeway was built in the 1960s and 1970s, said Dan Harelson, the ITD project manager.
Similar pavement replacement work will cover 18 miles in 2018, 33 miles in 2019, 5 miles in 2020 and 6 miles in 2021. In all, 115.6 miles of the 196 miles of I-15 in Idaho will be resurfaced, Harelson said.
Ultimately, 115.6 miles of the 196 miles of I-15 in Idaho will have entirely new asphalt. This replaces original asphalt as well as seal coating that was done every seven years. A top layer of asphalt was milled off and replaced 20 years ago, he said.
In some locations, the asphalt had cracked through the full 10-inch thickness to the gravel underneath.
All traffic will be moved to one side of the freeway with one lane in each direction as crews work on the other side of the freeway. A similar crossover method was used last year on Interstate 84 west of Twin Falls.
ITD estimates it will use 90 percent federal funding for the five-year I-15 work. The state share will be funded, in part, by the 2015 7-cent gas tax increase and a $21 increase in vehicle registration fees, ITD spokesman Reed Hollinshead said.
The first five projects to replace all the asphalt on stretches of Interstate 15 are starting in April and May.
Within project areas, all traffic will be on the same side of the freeway with one lane in each direction.
Speed limit will be 65 in project areas.
Idaho Transportation Department will have several updated sources of information:
- I-15 construction updates can be obtained by texting Interstate15 to 22828
- 511.idaho.gov
- Coming soon: Download the I-15 app for up-to-the-minute travel times
I-15 Fort Hall to Burns Road Resurfacing
Project timing: April 16 to fall
The asphalt will be replaced on 6 miles of I-15 from the Fort Hall Reservation boundary to Burns Road.
General contractor: Knife River of Bismarck, S.D.
I-15 Lava Beds to the Bonneville County line resurfacing
Project timing: May to summer
The asphalt will be replaced on about 8 miles of I-15 near Shelley from the Lava Beds to the Bonneville County line. Freeway Clearance will also be improved under four bridges.
General contractor: HK Contractors of Idaho Falls
Bridge rehabilitations in Pocatello
Project timing: May to summer
The Idaho Transportation Department will repair four sets of bridges on Interstate 15 in Pocatello to prevent deterioration of structures built in the 1960s and 1970s at the time I-15 was built.
- South 5th Avenue
- Barton Road
- Terry Street
- Pocatello Creek Road
General contractor: DL Beck of Rexburg
Bridge maintenance in Inkom
Project timing: Late May to fall
Repairs to bridges built in 1962 and 1963 and replacing guard rails along the bridges.
- South Inkom interchange overpass
- Rapid Creek Bridge
General contractor: DL Beck of Rexburg
I-15 Arimo to McCammon
Project timing: June to fall
The asphalt will be replaced on 7 miles of I-15 from Arimo to McCammon.
General contractor: Knife River of Bismarck, S.D.
Starting in summer
- The asphalt will be replaced on 15 miles of I-15 from Spencer to the Montana State Line
- Resurface the ramps at the Osgood Interchange.
- Resurface bridges on I-15 in Idaho Falls and upgrade guardrail.
