Traffic Jam Central As I-84 Expansion Replaces Ustick Overpass
It will be better in the long run but in the mean time during the removal and then slow rebuilding process expect lots of construction related delays, traffic jams and re-routing. I have done a few stories this year steaming from Boise's rush hour traffic being one of the worst in the country according to certain study metrics. Like this study from FleetLogging that rated Boise as having the worst rush hour traffic in the US. If you have to deal with bad traffic in Caldwell or even Nampa then get ready because it is about to get worse before it gets better. (If it ever gets better that is.)
According to CBS2, The Ustick Overpass will be taken out, completely demolished by construction crews starting in a few days on June 1st. In this first phase, I-84 will be reduced to one lane in each direction overnight. Also starting on the 1st, Aviation Way at the intersection with Ustick Road will be closed and will stay closed until September.
Then on Friday night, June 4, eastbound I-84 will be closed from 10pm to 7am Saturday morning between Franklin Road in Caldwell to Karcher/Midland Blvd in Nampa.
Crews are taking out the overpass to widen and rebuild it along with the Notus Canal Bridge. They are also adding additional lanes between Caldwell and Nampa along Interstate-84. The new and improved overpass will take about 15 months, as long as things run smoothly and on schedule. The final overpass is set to have two travel lanes in each direction with a center turn lane and even sidewalks and bicycle lanes on both sides.
I love improvements but man do I hate the building and construction period. All for the greater good though...