Idaho Transportation Department

State & Linder Design-Build

Project Facts

Key Number: 13059

Project Description

ITD and the Ada County Highway Distict is improving the intersection of Idaho 44 and Linder Road and rebuilding the highway from W. State Street to just west of Linder Road. The project will improve safety and allow for a smoother, more efficient flow of traffic.

When complete, the Idaho 44/Linder Road intersection will have:

Two through lanes in each direction on Idaho 44.
Double left-turn bays and right-turn lanes at all four sides of the intersection.

The project also includes:

Repaving and widening Idaho 44 to five lanes between W. State Street to just west of the Idaho 44/Linder Road intersection. The expanded roadway will taper back down to the original roadway at 1,500 feet past the intersection.
Upgrading the drainage system.
Adding paved shoulders.
Expanding the existing center lane on Idaho 44 from 12 feet to 14 feet to allow for safer turning movements.
Improving the traffic signal at Linder Road to accommodate future lanes.

Some of the additional lanes being built as a part of this project will not be opened until traffic capacity increases in the future. The Idaho 44/Linder Road intersection is being widened to provide:

An additional designated left-turn lane on Linder Road.
An additional through lane in each direction on Idaho 44.

This project will be contracted under the design-build method - a streamlined process in which the design team and construction team work together simultaneously. ITD typically uses a method of design, bid, then build, which requires different groups to be involved in each step. The design-build method combines the design and construction, which allows for innovative methods of construction and results in quicker project completion.

The Idaho 44 - Linder Road Improvement Project will be the first time for the design-build method to be used in Idaho.

Project Background

The segment of Idaho 44 between Linder Road and W. State Street is a major east-west commute route in the Treasure Valley and the primary access to Idaho’s Eagle Island State Park. Every day 19,000 motorists drive through the Idaho 44/Linder Road intersection and ITD expects this will increase to 30,000 by 2030.

Construction Timeframe

This project is now underway. Construction will be completed in three phases:

Nov. 2012 - Jan. 2013: The first phase will include preparing the construction zone, widening the bridge over the Middleton Canal at Linder Road, and building temporary lanes on the south side of Idaho 44 to redirect traffic during construction.
Jan. 2013 - Summer 2013: The second phase will include rebuilding the east side of the Idaho 44/Linder Road intersection and widening the north side of Idaho 44. During this phase, traffic will be shifted to the south side of Idaho 44.
Summer 2013 - Fall 2013: The third phase will include rebuilding the west side of the Idaho 44/Linder Road intersection, widening the south side of Idaho 44 and repaving the roadway. During this phase, traffic will be shifted to the north side of Idaho 44.

It is anticipated construction will be complete by December 2013.

Traffic Impacts

During construction:

The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone. At certain times throughout the project, some construction activities may require temporarily reducing the speed limit lower.
Two lanes of traffic and the existing center turn lanes will be open in both directions from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
Access to all businesses and adjacent property owners will be maintained.
Nighttime lane closures will be necessary, sometimes with flagging.
Lanes will be restricted from 12 feet to 11 feet.
Shoulders will be restricted.

When driving through the construction zone, please remember to slow down and pay attention. Plan extra time for your trip; if possible try to use an alternate route.

Contacts

Reed Hollinshead
Reed.Hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Phone: (208) 334-8881

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.