Gem State Wire

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has announced a temporary closure of 10th Avenue in Caldwell this Saturday. The road will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to facilitate the installation of concrete girders that will support the new bridge deck.

These girders, produced locally in Caldwell, measure 140 feet in length and weigh 133,000 pounds each. During the closure, motorists will be redirected via Centennial Way, while shuttle buses will provide transportation for pedestrians and bicyclists. Interstate 84 traffic will remain unaffected by this operation.

"Placing these girders is a major milestone in the project," stated ITD Resident Engineer Styles Salek. "The new bridge will accommodate the additional lanes being added to I-84, improving traffic flow and capacity in the area."

This activity is part of an extensive project on I-84 between the Centennial Way and Franklin Road interchanges in Caldwell, which began in November 2023. The project aims to widen I-84 to three lanes each way with auxiliary lanes between interchanges, replace the 10th Avenue Interchange, remove one westbound on-ramp at this interchange, update the pedestrian overpass, construct a sound wall along Hannibal Street, and add a traffic signal at the westbound ramps at Centennial Way Interchange.

Drivers are reminded that within the I-84 work zone, speed limits are set at 55 mph. With workers and heavy machinery operating nearby, ITD advises motorists to reduce speed, remain vigilant, and adhere to all posted signs.

For updates on this project, individuals can subscribe to email and text alerts by texting "84CORRIDOR" to 1-866-483-8422 or visiting https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/84-centennialtofranklin.

Crews plan to close 10th Avenue under the interchange bridge on Saturday, March 8. This closure is essential for providing crews with adequate space for girder placement on the interchange bridge.