The Idaho Transportation Department recently awarded Sundt-Cannon a $111.9 million contract to rebuild the I-86/I-15 system interchange at Pocatello.
The project will redesign a section of the roadway west toward Chubbuck from the Pocatello Creek onramp. In this section, drivers have 2,400 feet to move from the right lane to the far left lane to exit to I-86.
The redesign will allow through traffic traveling north toward Idaho Falls to remain in a left lane. Drivers entering the freeway northbound from Pocatello Creek will merge with northbound traffic by traveling north or with westbound traffic by passing under a bridge to head toward Chubbuck.
Chubbuck Road also will be resigned into an underpass with sidewalk and bicycle lanes.
A north-south bicycle and pedestrian pathway will help link Pocatello Creek Road with the Portneuf Wellness Complex.
Work is scheduled to begin in mid-July and end in 2025.
The current interchange was built in the mid-1960s. Aging and obsolete bridges in the area need to be replaced. In addition, the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck have grown significantly since the highway was built. Through traffic has attributed to congestion in the interchange.
Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds partially contributed to the project.