Water trucks are working tirelessly to keep dust from construction to a minimum.

Cranes are being placed to begin drilling shafts for bridge piers.

Water trucks are working tirelessly to keep dust from construction to a minimum.

Cranes are being placed to begin drilling shafts for bridge piers.

Work to transform the Pocatello-Chubbuck area’s aging “Flying Y” interchange connecting Interstates 15 and 86 is chugging right along, quickly changing the landscape of the interstate in the area.

According to an Idaho Transportation Department news release, “The lowering of the ramp for westbound traffic from northbound I-15 to I-86 is now complete and work on building the new bridges is beginning.”

The speed limit throughout the construction area is now 55 mph day and night, and ITD cautions that lane configurations are changing, so drivers should pay close attention when traversing the area. Work crews can be found in several areas across the construction site.

Cranes will soon be brought in to drill shafts for the new bridges, and there is already other heavy equipment in the area, including excavators, the news release said. No later than early next month, pile driving will begin in the northern part of the construction site, and ITD says there will be some noise. Water trucks are being used all over the work site to help keep dust down.

ITD said they’ve been using a new tool to help keep workers and drivers safe.

“One safety innovation being implemented is the use of a conveyor belt system to move earth fill from one area of the project to another,” the news release said. “The conveyor allows crews to move material without using trucks entering and exiting the Interstate.”

The System Interchange project is part of Gov. Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative, which “allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build,” the news release said. It is projected that construction will take three years and cost $112 million.

While the current Flying Y bridges, which were built six decades ago, are still currently safe, ITD says that if they aren’t replaced, it could hinder commerce because load limits would have to be placed in the area. Plus, the configuration of the current interchange doesn’t work well now, given increased traffic in the area over the past decades.

In addition to the System Interchange, the area is getting another upgrade. The Chubbuck Road overpass will be transformed into an underpass with more space for pedestrians and bicyclists.

“Once completed, the new System Interchange will be safer and ready to carry the increased traffic volumes for the fastest growing state in America,” ITD said.

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