Ammon road work causes delays, headaches

Road construction on 49th South in Ammon started on Tuesday and it’s already causing headaches.

Drivers are facing “road closed” signs as Intermountain Gas wrapped up an installation phase of a pipeline underground and crews are now reconstructing the road.

With two elementary schools on 49th, many are wondering if the project will be finished before the first day of school. Ammon city leaders said the goal is to wrap up within 10 days.

Drivers said with gas prices on the rise, it’s more than just an inconvenience.

“It takes another 10, 15 minutes to get home,” said Janae Finch.

Finch is one of many people in Ammon affected by construction that’s left roads torn apart and detour signs seemingly everywhere.

“We started at 7:30 a.m. and I found out every single person needs to leave Cortland Ridge (neighborhood) right at 7:30 to go to work, so I had a line all the way through the neighborhood,” said Idaho Traffic Safety flagger Mckenna Martin. “Probably 40 cars long.”

Martin said the average traffic delay is about ten minutes, though it can last as long as 20.

“Everyone was yelling at me, everyone was honking,” said Martin. “But there was nothing I could do.”

Ammon officials said for the next 10 days the intersection of Millcreek Lane and 49th South will be closed to all traffic, 49th will be down to one lane, there will be delays at the intersection of Ammon and 49th, and the intersection of Crowley and 49th will be closed periodically as the Intermountain Gas pipeline is laid.

With a taste of the traffic getting to and from football practice, Finch shuddered to think about sharing the bumpy road with yellow buses.

Asked whether she could imagine the first day of school with construction, Finch said, “No. It’s going to be nuts.”

The city of Ammon is asking all drivers to try to limit trips through the area and expect delays.

Paving of the road is expected to start Aug. 20 and wrap up before school starts Aug. 27.