|
|
|
Highway 95 resurfacing project near Sagle
cancelled for 2015 |
|
September 16, 2015 |
After being scheduled, then rescheduled,
postponed, and then finally started, the
on-again, off-again chip seal resurfacing
project on six miles of U.S. Highway 95 near
Sagle has now been cancelled for this year.
"We're not going to be doing that seal coat this
year," said Idaho Transportation Department
spokesman Scotty Fellom. The resurfacing portion
of the overall $27.5 million Garwood to Sagle
project was set to go earlier in the summer with
a subcontractor out of Kent, Washington. For
reasons not really clear, that subcontractor was
unable to proceed with the project, according to
Marvin Fenn, an Engineering Manager at ITD.
A different subcontractor was then brought on
for the project, and it appeared things were
finally getting underway. As the resurfacing
began, ITD technicians ran tests on the
aggregate being used for the chip seal. It was
determined the material being used did not meet
project specifications, according to Mr. Fenn,
and with substandard aggregate, ITD would not
allow the resurfacing to proceed.
At this point, temperatures are beginning to
cool as we approach the autumn months. These
temperatures are approaching lower levels that
are less than optimal for a chip seal project.
Further, this particular project was funded by
GARVEE bonds (bonds used to finance projects
such as this, issued in anticipation of eventual
funding with federal transportation monies). All
GARVEE funding must be used by December. This
late in the year, that narrowing time frame
added to the decision to cancel the resurfacing
project.
So, for now Idaho Panhandle drivers won't have
to worry about the lane closures, lowered speed
limits, delays, sticky chip seal surfaces, and
flying gravel targeting their windshields for
the six mile Sagle project, at least for now.
New potential funding for the project will be
examined next year, and the project may be reset
for a future date, according to Mr. Fellom.
Asked by NewsBF if there might be any legal
consequences for the subcontractor not
fulfilling their part of the agreement in
providing appropriate aggregate material for the
project to move forward, ITD's Mr. Fenn
indicated that because specifications weren't
met, the company's prep work will not be
compensated, and their aggregate will not be
paid for, so those are costs that company will
have to absorb, but beyond that no other legal
consequence is anticipated.
In the meantime, even though the resurfacing in
the Sagle area will not happen this year, the
project's primary contractor continues to
proceed with work on a frontage road and other
work in the area. The frontage road portion of
the overall project should be finished within a
few weeks. |
|
|
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
