Tree removal on SH-55 causing delays

Tree removal on SH-55

Drivers should plan for delays while tree removal efforts are underway on State Highway 55 between Banks and Horseshoe Bend over the next several weeks.

In conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, the Idaho Transportation Department is cutting down dead trees along the highway between mileposts 72 and 79. Crews will be on site each weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to clear dead and dying trees to minimize risk to drivers and improve overall forest health.

“While we’re dropping trees on the highway, it isn’t safe to allow traffic to pass underneath,” Operations Field Manager Eric Copeland said. “Crews will temporarily close the highway, remove several trees, clear the road and then let traffic through.”

Travelers should expect delays of up to 30 minutes and are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for any delays before leaving. No work will take place on Fridays or weekends.

“We are in regular discussions with our partners on how to make this route as safe as we can, not just in the winter but during every season,” Copeland said.

In late 2022, ITD and these agencies started discussions on the issues and more recently to remove the immediate hazards this summer and work together on a long-term solution to manage the highway right of way, which is maintained under an easement. Hazard tree removal is one of several maintenance actions that are authorized through ITD’s existing easement.

“The Forest Service is providing tree cutting expertise for ITD’s current operations along SH-55,” Emmett District Ranger John Wallace said. “We are happy to support ITD in their work to keep highways safe by reducing hazards within their right of way.”

ITD & McCall get $2.9M grant for corridor design

ITD and the city of McCall were recently awarded a RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant of $2.9M for the SH-55 and Deinhard/Boydstun corridor design to address improvements that will create a more efficient intrastate highway system for travelers. and create affordable multi-modal transportation options. Project planning is expected to begin in 2024/25. The picture above shows pedestrians navigating a portion of the existing SH-55 corridor that lacks sidewalks.

The RAISE grant program supports communities of all sizes as part of the President’s Investing in America agenda.

ITD applied for the grant on February 17 and received word from the Federal Highway Administration on June 28 that the grant had been awarded.

“ITD District 3 looks forward to working with the city of McCall to enhance quality of life through transportation,” said D3 District Engineer Caleb Lakey.

The project will specifically address reduction of energy consumption, air and water quality improvement, greenhouse gases reduction, increased safety, support for local and regional commerce, and the promotion of public health. The picture to the right shows how the lack of adequate drainage facilities during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt causes flooding that compromises water quality and safety.

Safety will be paramount, as the project focuses on the SH-55 route through town that was home to 84 crashes from 2017-2021 due to conflicts between heavy trucks navigating a tight 90-degree corner and pedestrians crossing the road to access lakeside destinations. Property damage was the most frequent result of these crashes, which also included a pair of serious, incapacitating injuries. The proposed alternate route had just 27 incidents within that same five-year timeframe, none of which involved fatalities or pedestrians. Pictured at left is an exhibit from the 2021 Corridor Exchange Feasibility Study illustrates the tight turn radius of the existing SH-55 route in downtown McCall.

“This project will include study and planning of strategies and infrastructure improvements needed to improve safety for all transportation types, whether McCall is a final destination or users are just passing through,” the application states.

It also would protect Payette Lake, McCall’s sole source of drinking water and a primary tourist attraction, against the transport of hazardous materials by re-routing those trucks away from the downtown corridor and lakefront. This is especially important because increased mining in the southwest corner of Valley County is estimated to increase by 52-66 trips per day the number of loads rolling past the lake containing HazMat.

The project improves mobility and community connectivity, energy efficiency, quality of life, environmental considerations, and even benefits to housing affordability through development of transportation options geared toward a workforce largely located outside the town.

Identification of appropriate locations for EV charging stations also will be considered as part of the project.

It is the result of a close working partnership between ITD and the city of McCall that works collaboratively toward shared goals of providing a safe and efficient highway route for freight and intrastate traffic while providing safe and effective multi-modal transportation options in the McCall downtown core.

The project also aligns with Valley County’s vision for regional transportation, and dovetails with the city’s “Access McCall” and “Complete Streets” principles.

Summer flagging schedule for SH-55 & Banks-Lowman Road

Warm weather and increased recreational travel to Idaho’s mountain destinations, especially on Sundays, has resulted in longer-than-usual waits at the busy State Highway 55 and Banks-Lowman Road intersection in Banks. Flagging will begin this holiday weekend to reduce wait times.

ITD will flag traffic on the weekends and holidays expected to have the highest number of travelers due to local events.

  • Father’s Day
  • First Sunday in July
  • Independence Day
  • Second Sunday in July
  • Third Sunday in July
  • Fourth Sunday in July
  • Fifth Sunday in July
  • First Sunday in August
  • Second Sunday in August
  • Labor Day

These weekends were selected in cooperation with a working group involving Boise and Valley County community members.

Drivers should plan ahead for any road trip by checking 511.idaho.gov for the latest road conditions, and itdprojects.org for road construction work happening across the state. ITD asks drivers to please do your part to keep roads safe and prevent crashes. Slow down, drive engaged, and always buckle up.

Overnight delays at Chinden and Eagle Intersection

EAGLE – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will repave the west side of the Chinden Boulevard/Eagle Road intersection overnight, starting tonight and continuing through Sunday night, June 25. Drivers should take alternate routes to avoid long delays especially for westbound and eastbound drivers. The intersection work is part of an ongoing project to repave Eagle Road, (State Highway 55), between I-84 and SH 44.

Work at the Chinden intersection will begin at 10 p.m. and end at the following times:

Weekday mornings: 6 a.m.
Saturday morning: 7 a.m.
Sunday morning: 8 a.m.
The remaining work on Eagle Road will begin at 10 p.m. and end at the following times:

Weekday mornings: 6 a.m.
Saturday mornings: 8 a.m.
Sunday mornings: 9 a.m.
Access to side streets on Eagle Road will be blocked during work hours where crews are working. Detours routes will be in place.

Crews will continue to repave the southbound lanes of Eagle Road over the next several weeks. More information will be shared at a later date about future closures when crews repave the intersections at McMillan Road, Ustick Road and Fairview Avenue.

All construction is expected to be completed by fall 2023.

For the latest closure locations, text EagleRoad to 1-866-483-8422 or visit itdprojects.org/eagleroadrepairs to sign up for email updates.

Open house June 15 for US-20/26 Chinden West corridor improvements

US-20/26 Chinden West

BOISE — The public is invited to learn more about preliminary design plans for US-20/26 between Middleton Road and Star Road at a meeting hosted by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Thursday, June 15 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., at the Star Fire Protection District, 11665 W. State Street, Ste. B, Star, ID.

This project will widen the highway and improve intersections to enhance safety and mobility for all users of the transportation system, including nearby residents, businesses, commuters, and freight carriers.

Middleton Rd to Star Rd ImprovementsThe meeting will be an open house, with no formal agenda. Members of the project team will be available to answer questions. The public is encouraged to attend and provide comments on the proposed design.

Anyone unable to attend in person, can also participate online between June 16 and June 29 by clicking on the following link: itdprojects.org/projects/chindenwest.

The design of this project is being funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of the Leading Idaho TECM Program. The program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build. Funding for the next phase of work will be determined when the project progresses to that stage.

To learn more about the project and sign up for construction updates, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/chindenwest. or call 208-608-6635.

Star Road closure planned as part of US-20/26 construction to start in June

Star Road Detour North
Star Road Detour North
BOISE — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will temporarily close Star Road in June as part of ongoing construction on U.S. Highway 20/26, (Chinden West), weather permitting. Work will include paving and intersection improvements and requires two separate closures.

In early June, Star Road between US-20/26 and State Highway 44 (SH-44) will be closed for approximately one week. The road will only be open to local traffic and emergency service responders (police, fire, and paramedics). Signage will direct motorists to use State Highway 16 (SH-16) between US-20/26 and SH-44 instead of Star Road.

Star Road Detour South
Star Road Detour South

In mid-June, a southbound detour will be in place between US-20/26 and McMillan Road with all work anticipated to be complete in early July. Again, the road will only be open to local traffic and emergency responders. Signage will direct motorists to use Can Ada Road and McMillan Road instead of Star Road.

Drivers should pay attention to all posted signs and message boards near this work zone.

For more information on ITD’s work to improve US-20/26 between I-84 in Caldwell and Eagle Road in Meridian please visit the project website at  itdprojects.org/projects/chindenwest

I-84 westbound off-ramp at Franklin Road/US-20/26 (Exit 29) to close in early June

Beginning in early June, the westbound Interstate 84 off-ramp at Franklin Road (Exit 29) in Caldwell will temporarily close, weather permitting. Traffic will be detoured to the 10th Street exit and back onto US-20/26 by way of I-84.

This closure will allow construction crews to safely expedite reconstruction of the westbound off-ramp to reduce impacts to the traveling public and businesses later in the project.

A signed route will guide motorists through the detour and back onto US-20/26 by way of I-84 during the closure, which is anticipated to be in place until late July.

Please slow down, pay attention, and watch for posted signs and crews in the work zone.

Work on US-20/26 between I-84 and Middleton Road will continue through 2024.

To learn more about the project and sign up for construction updates, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/chindenwest or call 208.608.6635.

Idahoans value work zone safety

Cones in truck

The Idaho Transportation Department is joining states across the country for National Work Zone Awareness Week. The national and state campaigns this week are designed to raise awareness and educate the public about the safety measures we can all take in work zones, and how we are all responsible for work zone safety.

From 2017 to 2021, Idaho saw 3,119 crashes in work zones resulting in 36 deaths, stressing the need for this year’s theme: “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.”

This special week includes a schedule of activities; everyone is encouraged to go orange for safety on Wednesday and observe a moment of silence on Friday for those who have died in work zones.

“Work zone safety is drivers and highway workers cooperating together to slow down and improve safety,” said Dan McElhinney, Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer for ITD. “ITD employees and contractors design traffic control with signs, cones, beacons or reduced speed limits to help guide vehicles through these hazard zones, knowing we really appreciate drivers being engaged without distractions for success. Let’s all get home safely every day.”

Work zone crashes are preventable. The top three causes of crashes from 2017 to 2021 were following too closely, distracted or inattentive driving and failing to yield.

Drivers should:

  • Plan ahead – Check 511.idaho.gov before you go to plan your route. Expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible.
  • Slow down– drive the posted speed limits.
  • Pay attention– both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic.

Other safety tips and videos are available at itd.idaho.gov/travel.

Work Zone Awareness poster 2023

Repaving of Eagle Road resumes this month; nightly detours begin Monday, April 17

Eagle Road Repaving Project

The Idaho Transportation Department will resume repaving work on Eagle Road this month between Interstate 84 and State Highway 44. Portions of Eagle Road will be detoured at night starting Monday, April 17. All work is weather dependent.
This year, crews will repair the road surface on Eagle Road and several intersections between I-84 and SH-44, including McMillan Road, Ustick Road, and Fairview Avenue. This is the second season of a two-year project.

During the week of April 10, crews will begin preparation work and one lane will be closed on Eagle Road at night. Starting April 17, all lanes of Eagle Road will be detoured each night where crews are working.

Between Franklin Rd. and Chinden Blvd.:

  • Traffic will be detoured to Locust Grove Road or Cloverdale Road

Between Chinden Blvd. and SH-44:

  • Traffic will be shifted to one side of Eagle Road

At the McMillan, Ustick, and Fairview Intersections:

  • Traffic will be detoured to Locust Grove Road or Cloverdale Road

Overnight closures and detours will begin at 10 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. on weekdays. Weekend opening times will vary between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. depending on traffic volumes. All lanes will be open during the day. For the latest closure information, text EagleRoad to 1-866-483-8422 or visit itdprojects.org/eagleroadrepairs.

“We have a lot of ground to cover this construction season, so we ask that drivers slow down and be cautious where crews are working,” said Jeff Ryan, ITD Design/Construction Engineer. “Nighttime closures will help keep crews safe and keep all lanes open during the daytime commute.”

Temporary steel plates will be placed on Eagle Road to cover manholes until the project is complete. Please drive with caution.

Last season, crews repaved the roadway near I-84 and Island Woods Drive. All construction is expected to be completed in fall 2023.

Idaho Materials & Construction is the contractor for this $18 million project.

SH-21 to close tonight north and south of Lowman for avalanche risk, drifting

Barricades up to close SH-21 at milepost 48 in November of 2022

The Idaho Transportation Department will close State Highway 21 north and south of Lowman tonight at 6 p.m. as a major storm system brings heavy snow, high winds and avalanche danger to the region.

The highway frequently closes between Lowman and Stanley from Grandjean to Banner Summit, but another section will also close south of Lowman from milepost 70 to milepost 48 near Idaho City.

“This storm could deliver up to two feet of fresh snow, and with wind gusts near 25 miles per hour, we are expecting next to no visibility and drifting, making it too dangerous to travel,” Field Operations Manager Eric Copeland said. “For those reasons, we are closing both sections of SH-21 this time.”

Based on forecasted weather, the highway could reopen sometime on Saturday, March 11. Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov and ITD’s Twitter account for updates before traveling.