Construction Updates

Traffic Impacts

One lane will be closed overnight in both directions on I-84 between the Orchard and Vista interchanges. The lanes will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends. Restrictions begin Monday (March 1) and will continue through Friday (March 12).

Click here for ITD's Tips for Safe Winter Driving

Winter and Spring 2010:

Speed limits are 55 mph on I-84 and 25 mph on Vista Avenue
ITD cautions motorists to be aware of trucks and equipment

ITD Vista Airport Kiosk

Click here to watch the updated Airport Kiosk video (Nov. 09)

Click here to watch the Airport Kiosk video (Aug. 09)

Description

The new Vista Avenue Interchange will be built to accommodate the expansion of I-84 and will feature a Single Point Urban Interchange design, which places a traffic light at the center and allows for protected left turns in each direction. Other improvements include:

Two through lanes in each direction of the interchange and dual left-turn lanes.
Dedicated right-turn lanes.
Wider and longer on- and off-ramps.
Sidewalks and bicycle lanes.

Background

The Vista Avenue Interchange is part of ITD’s larger vision for reducing congestion on the I-84 East corridor in Boise. The interstate, built in the late 1960s, was not designed to handle the current traffic volumes. Congestion will reach critical levels within the next decade.

This project is the result of an Environmental Assessment and a planning study for I-84 from just west of the Orchard Interchange to the Eisenman Road Interchange (Isaacs Canyon). The study recommends improvements for the ultimate buildout of this corridor, including replacing the existing pavement, adding lanes to the interstate from Cole Road to Gowen Road, and reconstructing the Orchard, Vista, Broadway and Gowen interchanges to meet the future traffic capacity requirements.

Schedule and Funding

Construction began in July 2009 and is expected to be complete in September 2010.

The project is funded through a federal stimulus program known as Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery. It was created to strengthen the nation’s economy through job creation in the transportation industry and expedite highway construction projects as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

The design portion of the project was funded through the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite interstate improvements.

Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is committed to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related regulations and directives. ITD assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any ITD service, program, or activity. The department also assures that every effort will be made to prevent discrimination through the impacts of its programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations. In addition, the department will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for persons with Limited English Proficiency.