Ten Mile IC groundbreaking set; apparent low bid $33.8M

Courtesy of Idaho Transportation Department

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Ten Mile Road interchange with Interstate 84 in western Meridian is slated at 3 p.m. June 23 at the southeast corner of the existing overpass, a brochure mailed to homes and businesses in the area says. State and local dignitaries are expected to attend.

The apparent low bidder, at $33.8 million, is Staker & Parsons Cos. doing business as Idaho Sand & Gravel Co. Inc., Nampa, Idaho Transportation Department spokesman Reed Hollinshead said, noting that a contract could be finalized by the end of June. The department expects construction to start in mid-July and conclude in early summer 2011.

The new Ten Mile overpass will span 200 feet of I-84 to allow up to five interstate lanes in each direction. On- and off-ramps will connect with Ten Mile Road, which will be widened from two to four lanes with sidewalks and bicycle lanes. A single traffic signal will control all turning movements on the overpass.

Lochner, of Meridian, was the prime designer for the project. Connecting Idaho Partners of Boise completed right-of-way purchases.

Funding for the project comes from the state’s Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle bond program. Anticipated federal highway funds to Idaho back these bonds. Federal economic-stimulus funds will cover landscaping costs, the brochure said.

Tasa Drive will be extended to Overland Road with an underpass at Ten Mile Road. Access to Tasa Drive, Davis Street and residences on Ten Mile will remain open. I-84 will be closed overnight during bridge demolition and on other occasions, though at least one eastbound and one westbound lane likely will remain open at night. Lanes may be restricted from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. weeknights and until 7 a.m. on weekends. Speed limits will be 55 miles per hour on I-84 and 25 miles per hour on Ten Mile.

Ten Mile Interchange will be the first new exit on I-84 since Karcher Interchange opened in 2006. It will help reduce growing congestion at the Garrity and Meridian interchanges, the Idaho Transportation Department said in a release.

Unlike previous interchanges, the Ten Mile Interchange was designed and advertised in less than three years.

It can require up to eight years to design a new interchange, gain environmental approval and begin construction, Idaho Transportation Department Director Pam Lowe said. “For this process to be complete in less than three years is a credit to outstanding teamwork between the engineering and environmental staff and project consultants.”

The accelerated project schedule was driven in part by the expansion of Interstate 84, the department said. Construction began last spring on a third eastbound and westbound lane between the Garrity Boulevard and Meridian Road interchanges. The first two miles of new lanes will open this summer.

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