Welcome
Thank you for your interest in the Interstate-84 (I-84) Meridian Interchange to Eagle Interchange Eastbound Auxiliary Lane Design Project.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting this self-guided online meeting to provide information about the design of an eastbound auxiliary (additional) lane and new shoulder on eastbound I-84 between the Meridian Road Interchange (Exit 44) and the Eagle Road Interchange (Exit 46). The project also includes necessary modifications to accommodate a two-lane eastbound on-ramp at the Meridian Interchange and a two-lane eastbound off-ramp at the Eagle Interchange. An additional right-turn lane will be added to the Eagle Road Interchange eastbound off-ramp at the intersection with Eagle Road.
This online meeting will remain available through February 28, 2024.
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How to Navigate:
- Click on the arrows on the bottom left and right sides of your screen.
- Use the navigation menu at the left of the screen to revisit any part of the meeting.
How to Participate:
- Click through the slides to learn more about the plan and give your feedback on potential projects the team has identified through the master plan process
- Comments
- Provide your comments at any time by clicking the “ COMMENT" button at the top right of the screen.
- You can close the form to continue through the slides. Please make sure to hit the “Submit” button to confirm that your comment is sent to the project team.
- The entire session should take less than 15 minutes to complete.
Project Background and Purpose
ITD has observed that very heavy congestion occurs on the eastbound Meridian on-ramp to I-84 during the morning commute hours with traffic backing up the ramp and onto Meridian Road.
Eastbound motorists on I-84 exiting at the Eagle Road eastbound off-ramp also experience similar congestion issues during the morning commute. Traffic is often backed up the ramp and onto I-84.
This congestion not only slows the commute but can create safety issues such as rear-end collisions.
ITD initiated this project to reduce the congestion and improve the merge/diverge movements between motorists entering I-84 at the Meridian Interchange and those wanting to exit at the Eagle Road Interchange. The proposed improvements at these ramps will improve safety and mobility on the ramps and reduce backups onto I-84.
Meridian Road Eastbound On-Ramp
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Traffic Studies
COMPASS (Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho), the regional metropolitan planning organization, also identified this area as one of the most congested segments of I-84 in the Treasure Valley.
In 2022, a COMPASS traffic analysis report identified the eastbound on-ramp at Meridian Road as having one of the highest levels of congestion and the worst travel time reliability (unexpected delays) in the Treasure Valley.
Resources
I-84 Eastbound (approaching Eagle Road exit)
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Project Design Overview
The design includes converting the eastbound shoulder of I-84 into an auxiliary lane between the interchanges and adding a new shoulder. Both the single-lane eastbound on-ramp at Meridian Road and the single lane eastbound off-ramp at Eagle Road will be widened to become two-lane ramps. A second right-turn lane will be added to the Eagle Interchange eastbound off-ramp terminal intersection with Eagle Road.
I-84 Eastbound Auxiliary Lane Enhancements
The purpose for adding an auxiliary (additional) lane and new shoulder on the eastbound lanes of I-84 is to improve traffic flow and safety by enhancing the merge/diverge movements between the ramps, as well as reducing congestion at each ramp.
Meridian Road Interchange
The single-lane eastbound on-ramp at this interchange will become a two-lane on-ramp providing more space for motorists to access I-84 and reducing backups onto Meridian Road.
Eagle Road Interchange
The single-lane eastbound off-ramp at this interchange will become a two-lane exit ramp allowing motorists more space to exit at Eagle Road. A second right-turn lane will be added to the Eagle Interchange eastbound off-ramp terminal intersection with Eagle Road to reduce the queue length for motorists turning south onto Eagle Road.
View the ITD project layout design plans
Scroll down to view details on the map locations.
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Location Details
On-ramp widened to provide two 12-foot lanes with a new 10-foot shoulder.
- 12-foot new ramp lane
- 10-foot new shoulder
Typical Section
The design will add a new 12-foot-wide auxiliary lane and 10-foot-wide shoulder to the eastbound lanes of I-84.
Retaining walls will be provided along the corridor, as needed, to reduce impacts to adjacent property and keep the improvements within the existing right-of-way.
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Lane Shifts During Construction
Construction activities are anticipated to begin in 2025 at the earliest. During construction, all four lanes of eastbound I-84 will remain open during daylight and heavy traffic volume hours. The lanes will be shifted between Meridian Road and S. Locust Grove Road toward the median — a barrier between traffic and the work area will be added to provide adequate safe space for the auxiliary lane and shoulder work. The construction work zone will be separated from daylight traffic by temporary concrete barriers.
There will be some overnight lane closures and detours, as needed, to remove and replace sign structures along I-84 and perform other activities where extra room is needed.
The eastbound Meridian Interchange on-ramp and Eagle Interchange off-ramp will remain open at all times. Limited ramp closures during non-peak traffic times may be necessary for construction activities.
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Project Schedule
The design phase of this project is scheduled for completion in mid-2024.
Beginning in June 2024, this project (along with other State of Idaho proposed projects for the year) will become part of a construction funding review process that ITD performs to ensure it meets department objectives and fiscal budget constraints. During this time, ITD is reviewing the budget for the next five years.
All projects are then prioritized and the year in which the projects are funded for development and construction is identified.
When the construction funding process is complete, construction of this project will begin.
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