Posts

Statement of the Problem

Image
 In the 1970s, Burma Road was blocked when US Highway 20 was built next to Rexburg, Idaho. The breach in that road needs to be fixed to handle congested traffic caused by the newly built school complex and the crowded residential developments being built west of US 20 on both sides of Burma Road. The Burma Road is also known as "West 1000 South" in the county and "West 7th South" in the city. It is the only east-west street in Rexburg that extends all the way through the city and into the county on the west. 
Image
 

Preferred Solution

Image
Building bridges over the reconnected Burma Road has many advantages, including avoiding disruption of private property along Burma Road. The two bridge spans across the reconnected Burma Road would be significantly shorter than a single overpass to span across US 20 for Burma Road. 

Reconnection Options

Image
 Two ways to reconnect Burma Road: 1. An overpass across the US Highway 20 right of way, which is about  240 feet wide . This option causes problems with adjacent properties and traffic at either end of the overpass, because the elevated overpass blocks access to Burma Road until the elevation returns to grade. Overpass height would need to accommodate tall trucks on US 20. 2. Two bridges across the Burma Road right of way, which would be about 45 feet wide . This option avoids problems with private properties adjacent to US 20, does not interfere with traffic on the Burma Road, and needs no precautions for tall trucks on US 20. Bridge construction would be relatively simple on level ground with no obstructions to cross.