BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department will begin construction of the new Riverton Road Bridge near Blackfoot. Construction is slated to begin Monday night as ITD crews have begun the preliminary work ahead of the demolition.
The project was fast-tracked after a tanker truck barreled into a support pillar of the bridge last October, causing significant damage and compromising the bridge’s structural integrity. Now the process for a permanent replacement begins. ITD’s Justin Smith says the unexpected project fits in with the long term plans for Interstate 15.
“With our plans in the far distant future to have I-15 be three lanes all the way to Idaho Falls, it made more sense economically to replace that bridge and to widen it.”
In February, the Idaho Transportation Board approved $10 million to fund the project to replace the bridge. Smith says the money came from unallocated money for these types of projects. It will not impact future funding ITD hopes to get to continue the I-15 widening project.
RELATED: Tanker truck compromises Riverton Bridge, halting all I-15 traffic
From May 18th to the 20th, the old bridge will be demolished to make way for a two-span steel girder bridge that will allow for future widening of Interstate 15. Demolition work will take place overnight from 7am to 6pm. During the demolition, I-15 will be fully closed at Riverton Road, and ITD will divert traffic from Exit 89 to Exit 93. During the day, traffic will be reduced to one lane.
Smith says they are looking to have the demolition portion of the project done by Memorial Day to have the least amount of impact on holiday travel. ITD anticipates that the project to replace the bridge will be completed by November.
During construction, speed limits will be restricted to 65 mph in the work zone. Access over I-15 on the Riverton Road bridge will remain closed until the project is completed.
For updates on conditions and traffic impacts throughout the construction season, click HERE.
