Work begins on South Valley Connector

Construction crews began work on the long-awaited South Valley Connector Tuesday.

Also known as the Cheyenne Overpass, the $13 million project will connect Bannock Highway with South Fifth Avenue when it’s completed in December.

“It’s gonna allow to get from one side of the valley to the other without having to go through Ross Park,” said Scott Redding, an engineer with the Idaho Transportation Department.

Crews spent the week blasting and clearing rock in order to make a path for the connector.

Redding said the connector will need to cross Interstate 15. In order to avoid impeding large freight vehicles, planners have decided to tunnel under I-15 rather than build an overpass.

Starting in March, all I-15 traffic in the area will be shifted to the southbound lanes.

In July, traffic will be shifted to the northbound lanes.