This summer the Idaho Transportation Dept. is building a wildlife underpass near milepost 18.2 on Idaho 21 along what is known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route. The bridge and wildlife fencing will help get deer and elk safely across Idaho 21.

Photo Courtesy of CSHQA

The restoration and expansion of the 200,000-sq-ft Idaho State Capitol is the largest public works project in the state’s history and recently received an award for Best Fire-Life Safety Upgrade from the city of Boise’s 2010 Building Excellence Awards.

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Federal stimulus funding is being used to construct the bridge and a portion of the fencing, with support from the Boise River Wildlife Linkage Partnership—a group of concerned citizens, businesses, nonprofits and city, county, state and federal representatives. In just the past eight months, 69 vehicle-wildlife collisions have been posted on the “Give Deer and Elk a Brake” tally signs. These signs reflect the number of incidents on an 11-mile stretch of Idaho 21 from near Discovery Park at Lucky Peak Reservoir through the intersection of Robie Creek.

Construction of the wildlife underpass bridge began the first week of July and will complete this fall. McAlvain Construction of Boise is the contractor for the $756,000 project.

Three of Boise-based CSHQA’s projects were recently honored at the city of Boise’s 2010 Building Excellence Awards presentation.

The CSC Building at Orchard Street received Best Green Project. It renovated and expanded an existing commercial office/warehouse, updated the exterior and renovated interior common space—upgrading the building to Class A office space.

The North Face project also received Best Green Project. Located within the 100-year-old Mode building, it was the catalyst for Mode’s owners to complete an exterior and interior remodel. A major portion of the first and second floors was gutted and reconstructed, including the removal of several central escalators that were replaced with a decorative staircase, installing three restrooms and designing a new tenant layout for The North Face.

Restoration and expansion of the 200,000- sq-ft Idaho Capitol is the largest public works project in the state’s history, and it received an award for Best Fire-Life Safety Upgrade. Original marble, scagliola, painted plaster, mahogany and bronze were painstakingly restored throughout the historic building. All mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems were demolished and removed. Skylights were restored and energy-efficient wood windows were installed.