CALDWELL, Idaho — There's one thing we all wish was had a little bit more of -- time.
Drivers in Canyon County can look forward to saving some time on the freeway in the future. The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) broke ground on a new project on I-84 in Caldwell Monday.
The project includes a number of upgrades for a two-mile stretch on I-84 from Centennial Way to Franklin Road in Caldwell, between Exit 27 and Exit 29.
"We're going to go from a two-lane highway section in each direction, to a three-lane highway section in each direction," ITD engineer Styles Salek said. "With additional auxiliary lanes between the ramps."
The project features several other upgrades, including:
- Reconstruction of the 10th Avenue interchange
- Adding a traffic signal at the Centennial Way interchange westbound off-ramp
- Rehabilitating the pedestrian overpass
- Adding a soundwall along Hannibal Street
"The purpose here is to alleviate congestion and enhance safety through the corridor," Salek said. "This is one of the busiest stretches of the interstate in Canyon County. So it's to increase the capacity, to enhance economic opportunity, enhance mobility and overall, most importantly - increase the safety of this corridor."
Construction will commence in November and will take place in several phases. The I-84 project is expected to be completed in summer 2027.
"We're going to maintain two lanes in each direction during daytime hours," Salek said. "Motorists can expect to see lane closures during the night, usually between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m."
The project is being funded by Governor Brad Little's Leading Idaho initiative.
"When you alleviate congestion, particularly in a safe manner, you're giving back the residents of Idaho, or the businesses, the most precious thing they have," Governor Little said during the groundbreaking. "Which is time."
Time, something Caldwell commuters can expect to save in the future.
"This is a fantastic project for us. We're glad to know that the infrastructure continues to be improved," Caldwell City Council member Geoff Williams said. "As the governor said, time is one of our most valuable commodities. So for time and safety especially, this is a big deal for the city of Caldwell - for ingress and egress into our great city."
The first wave of construction for the project will be taking place along Hannibal Street with the soundwall. ITD is reminding drivers to slow down when going through construction zones.
Additional information about the I-84 project in Caldwell can be found here.
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