Roundabout construction south of Idaho Falls nearing completion after multiple delays
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IDAHO FALLS – Construction delays on a road project south of Idaho Falls have been a headache for drivers the last several months.
This spring, the Idaho Transportation Department began installing two roundabouts off Interstate 15 at Exit 113 by Love’s Travel Stop. With Doug Andrus Distributing on the east side, the interchange gets a lot of semi truck traffic and the idea behind putting a roundabout on both sides of the exit was to improve safety and flow of vehicles.
The project remains unfinished nearly a month after its original completion date of July 25. Flaggers on both ends of the interchange have had to direct traffic along the way, causing delays and frustration for drivers.
ITD spokesman Justin Smith tells EastIdahoNews.com there was some pavement that had to be replaced because it didn’t meet specifications. Supply chain issues have also played a role.
“It’s getting difficult to get supplies in. We’ve had problems getting oil for the pavement, we’ve had problems (getting) steel. We didn’t use (steel) on this project but (it’s a problem) in other places. We’re even struggling, in some places, to find yellow paint,” Smith says.
Smith says supply chain shortages are an issue statewide, and it’s affecting road projects across the nation.
ITD is aware of how frustrating this has been for drivers and apologizes for the setbacks.
Over the next 10-14 days, crews will be working to complete the project, which will involve marking lanes with striping and cleanup. All the work will be done in the late night or early morning hours to reduce the impact to traffic.
Smith anticipates the project being fully complete by Sept. 1.
“We appreciate the public’s patience,” says Smith.