Gem State Wire

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is set to close Interstate 84 near the Karcher Interchange in Nampa beginning this weekend. The closure is necessary to implement a traffic shift that will enable crews to create a safe work zone around the center pier of the bridge while maintaining the current number of lanes on I-84. In the coming weeks, construction teams will reinforce the interchange bridge to accommodate a new westbound lane on Karcher Road, also known as State Highway 55.

According to ITD, there will be full closures at specific times: westbound I-84 will be closed from Sunday at 9 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m., and eastbound I-84 will follow suit from Monday at 9 p.m. until Tuesday at 5 a.m.

The Karcher Interchange project aims to address significant growth in Canyon County by widening the interchange bridge. It includes adding a free-running westbound right turn lane and an additional westbound lane through Caldwell Boulevard. Other planned improvements involve upgrading signal equipment and adjusting timing at ramp intersections, installing a pedestrian flashing beacon at the I-84 eastbound on-ramp, creating a new sidewalk/bike path on the north side of Karcher Road west of Caldwell Boulevard, and repaving Karcher Road from the westbound on-ramps to Middleton Road.

The ITD notes that this work depends on weather conditions and may be rescheduled if there is precipitation or if temperatures fall too low. For more information about the project or to view detour maps, interested parties are encouraged to visit the project website.