Input sought on long-range planning for transportation in Idaho

People review a map of a proposed project

The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking input on long-range planning for transportation across the state through a series of public meetings in the next month.

Comments will inform the update to ITD’s Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan, a federally required strategy document that is updated every five years and is used by the Idaho Transportation Board and planning staff as a guide to program future studies and projects.

Open houses will be held in each region of the state:

Nov. 18 in Pocatello at the Portneuf Medical Center (777 Hospital Way)

Nov. 19 in Idaho Falls at the Crosspoint Community Church (1900 Grandview Drive)

Dec. 2 in Coeur d’Alene at the Hampton Inn and Suites (1500 West Riverstone Drive)

Dec. 3 in Lewiston at the Lewiston Community Center (1424 Main Street)

Dec. 4 in Boise at Mountain View High School Library (2000 South Millennium Way)

Dec. 8 in Twin Falls at the College of Southern Idaho (315 Falls Avenue)

All events will take place 3 – 7 p.m. The same material will be shared online, with comments sought from Nov. 18 to Jan. 10.

ITD’s Long-Range Transportation Plan will look at the needs of the transportation network out to 2050 and consider a variety of factors including growth, travel demands, land use, safety, economic development, system reliability and anticipated revenue.

“This policy document looks at current conditions, existing plans and future trends in Idaho and lays the foundation for ITD to continue to deliver on our mission of safety, mobility and economic opportunity,” said Amy Schroeder, the division administrator for planning. “It’s not necessarily about identifying specific projects. It’s about determining, through data analysis and public input, the best strategy for investing in the transportation system given the variability of future revenue.”

The plan comes at a time of extraordinary growth and funding uncertainty. Besides seeking public feedback, ITD is engaging with other planning organizations as the plan will look at the transportation network as a whole, which extends beyond state-managed highways to locally owned routes and alternative modes of transportation.

“This is about working with local jurisdictions and planning agencies to address congestion in major cities,” Schroeder said. “It’s also about adopting a statewide perspective and recognizing that it’s just as important to look at improving safety and reducing fatalities in our rural areas.”

An additional public comment period to review the draft plan is planned for summer 2026, and the plan is expected to be released in 2027.

ITD seeks public feedback to help shape the future of rail in Idaho

UPDATE: Some users are reporting issues submitting their responses and being unable to proceed past the second page. We recommend that respondents hit the next button at the bottom more than once. If that doesn’t work, we encourage users to sign up to receive a different format of the survey, which will be available the week of Nov. 3. We are working to resolve any technical issues in the meantime.

The Idaho Transportation Department is updating the Idaho Statewide Rail Plan and is asking for public input to help guide the future of rail infrastructure across the state.

The plan evaluates the current condition and performance of Idaho’s rail network, identifies system-wide challenges and opportunities, and outlines strategies to strengthen rail infrastructure. The plan will also explore key topics such as rail safety, grade crossings, and access for rail-served industries that help drive Idaho’s economy.

Unlike other statewide transportation plans, this plan does not allocate funding for specific projects. Instead, it provides a strategic foundation that supports future grant applications and coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and other partners.

“We want to hear from Idaho communities about how rail infrastructure is working today and what improvements would make the biggest difference in the future,” Freight Program Manager Caleb Forrey said. “Your feedback will help us better understand statewide priorities and shape a plan that reflects Idaho’s needs.”

Railways in Idaho are operated by the private sector, with ITD having shared responsibility for safety at highway-rail crossings. As is the case with public transportation in Idaho, there are no dedicated state funding sources for freight or passenger rail beyond match funds for federally-funded improvements to rail crossings.

The online survey is open through November 12 and takes about five minutes to complete. Feedback collected will be summarized in the final plan, which is expected to be released in spring 2026, and used to guide discussions with communities, railroads, and state and federal partners.

A summary of the rail plan is available at itd.idaho.gov/planning.

US-95 work starts up again near Riggins on Monday

Picture of a rocky slope by US-95 near Riggins.

Starting Monday crews will resume work on rocky slopes near Riggins on U.S. Highway 95.

South of Riggins at milepost 189 in the vicinity of the Sheep Creek Rest Area, scalers will install reflective prisms on the rock face above the roadway to monitor slope movement and will remove loose rocks for safety.

Intermittent delays of up to 20 minutes between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. are likely for the next week. Flaggers will hold traffic in both directions to keep everyone safe with rocks coming off the slope. Crews will periodically allow one lane of traffic through the work zone.

North of Riggins at milepost 196.5, in the vicinity of “Bull’s Eye Corner,” crews will also close the shoulder and replace damaged signs as part of safety efforts that started last fall.

Rocks may be present in the roadway and motorists should always exercise caution when traveling though this river corridor.

Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

Four-lane section of US-95 south of Moscow fully open

View of the new pavement near the southern section on the US-95 Thorn Creek to Moscow route.

Starting Sunday drivers will be able to take all six miles of the new four-lane section of U.S. Highway 95 from Reisenauer Hill to Moscow.

Drivers had only been able to travel the first five miles that opened in early July as crews needed to finish work at the Thorn Creek Bridge. With the bridge now complete, drivers can experience the route with minimal delays. Some construction will continue over the next several weeks as crews finish installing permanent barrier, signs, delineators and rumble strips.

Construction of this nearly $90 million realignment began in 2022 to shift the curving, two-lane highway to the east and expand it to four lanes. The new route was funded partially by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program and was designed to be safer with a flatter grade, fewer curves and better access control.

“We are honored and pleased to provide this much-needed expansion to the region,” District Engineer Doral Hoff said. “Completing this last portion between Lewiston and Moscow gives drivers a safer and more efficient route.”

The project first began in 1999 when the Idaho Transportation Department started efforts to expand all of US-95 to four lanes from the top of Lewiston Hill to Moscow. This six-mile segment was the last to be improved, with most of the corridor undergoing construction in the early 2000s.

Expect one-lane closures for geotechnical work next week

Roadside view near the bottom of Bear Ridge Grade on SH-3.

Travelers on U.S. Highway 95 and State Highway 3 should plan for flagging operations to be in effect next week as the Idaho Transportation Department conducts valuable geotechnical investigations on these routes. Operations will involve boring into the roadway to allow ITD to plan for resurfacing projects scheduled to be completed next year.

Work on SH-3 will begin on Monday and run from milepost 13 to 18 at the bottom of Bear Ridge Grade. Traffic will be reduced to one lane, with flaggers indicating movement for each direction. Delays are expected to be less than 15 minutes. This work zone will be active for just two days, with exploratory drilling anticipated to be completed on Wednesday.

Escape ramps and turnouts in this vicinity of SH-3 will be closed while work is underway. A traffic control crew will notify truckers at the brake check area on the top of the grade.

One lane will also be closed on US-95 beginning next Wednesday from milepost 241 to 251 near Grangeville in the Johnston Road area. These efforts are expected to be completed by Friday.

The work schedule is subject to weather conditions and may change. Updates and information on these work zones and others across Idaho can always be found on the Idaho 511 app or by visiting 511.idaho.gov.

Delays for US-95 travelers between Moscow and Lewiston this week

Bridge work using heavy equipment on Thorn Creek Bridge over US-95 near Lewiston, Idaho.

Beginning this Wednesday, motorists using U.S. Highway 95 from Lewiston to Moscow will see greater delays at the Thorn Creek work zone as crews pour concrete.

A speed reduction will be in place over the Thorn Creek Bridge that will cause delays of approximately 20 minutes. Delays could be longer during commuting hours. Traffic will be slowed to a strict 5 mph over the structure to ensure vibrations do not impact the curing process for the high-strength concrete. Concrete work is expected to be done on Wednesday, with curing necessary on Thursday and Friday. Restrictions will be in effect, though there may not be active work on site.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid delays by taking State Highway 8 and then the Moscow-Pullman Highway in Washington as an alternate route.

Work at the Thorn Creek Bridge is one of the few remaining steps in completing the new four-lane section from Reisenauer Hill to Moscow. Construction began in 2022 to shift the curving, two-lane highway to the east and expand it to four lanes. The nearly $90 million realignment was funded partially by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program and was designed to be safer with a flatter grade, fewer curves and better access control.

Five miles of the new alignment opened to traffic in early July. This last mile is expected to be complete by November.

Traffic updates on this project and others across Idaho can always be seen on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.

US-95 Aht’Wy Plaza receives safety features and repairs

Picture of the US-95 Aht’Wy interchange looking across with traffic moving on either side.

Crews are out on U.S. Highway 95 near the Aht’Wy Plaza installing safety features and signage to help guide travelers through the interchange. They will also remove and repave nearly 100 feet of pavement to fix a soft spot near the east side of the interchange.

Caution is advised when approaching the work zone as flaggers may be present on either side of the highway. Motorists can expect at least one travel lane to be closed in each direction and may experience delays of up to 30 minutes. Crews will be working weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. All work is estimated to take two weeks to complete.

To improve safety yellow tubular delineators will be permanently adhered to the centerline to separate opposing traffic and deter southbound motorists from making dangerous left turns across the highway.

Also, green directional signage will be posted at critical locations and new pavement markings will be painted to enhance navigation around the plaza. Southbound travelers wanting to access the gas station or casino must use the exit at Nez Perce Drive. Only northbound travelers may use the right-hand turn lane to exit into the gas station. Both directions of travel on the highway may continue to use the interchange to access the plaza.

Up-to-date traffic information may be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

Repaving starts Monday on SH-14 near Elk City

Work on State Highway 14 near Elk City will begin Monday to repair potholes and resurface 10 miles of the highway. Shoulders in poor condition will also be repaved to further enhance safety.

When approaching the work zone, motorists can expect flaggers and delays between 15 to 30 minutes. The highway will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic guided by pilot cars. Crews will start at milepost 23 and work east towards milepost 33 and Elk City.

All work will temporarily shut down by 6 p.m. on August 7 in preparation for Elk City Days held August 8-10. Highway crews will start back up again on August 11.

Paving will significantly improve rideability and make it a safer road for the traveling public.

This $2.5 million project is anticipated to wrap up mid-September.

Up-to-date traffic information may be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

US-95 is open after mudslide

Drone picture of the mudslide near Riggins.

One lane of U.S. Highway 95 north of Riggins near Fiddle Creek is open after a mudslide closed the road completely. A lane has been cleared, and drivers can expect a pilot car with alternating directions of traffic through the slide zone.

Drivers should be prepared to stop and use caution when approaching the area. ITD crews continue to perform cleanup work with heavy equipment in preparation to open the roadway completely.

“We are very pleased to announce that after many hours of hard work that there is a safe pathway through the mudslide,” Field Operations Manager Larry Tillinghast said. “Even on holidays, our operators heed the call and are ready to tackle any emergency thrown at them. Please give them a wave for they have more work to do before returning to their families.”

ITD remains committed to keeping our state network open and thanks everyone for their patience during this emergency clean up.

Additional updates will be posted to 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

US-95 closed near Riggins due to mudslide

Picture of the mudslide on US-95 north of Riggins.

U.S. Highway 95 north of Riggins near Fiddle Creek is currently closed in both directions until further notice due to a mudslide. The highway is closed from milepost 200 to milepost 201.

Drivers should be prepared to stop when approaching the closure from either direction. It is unknown when the road will reopen, but ITD crews are bringing in heavy equipment to clear a lane through. Besides clearing significant debris, the road will then need to be evaluated for structural damage from the washout.

“Our crews are out and ready to clear a lane through as a priority,” Field Operations Manager Larry Tillinghast said. “Please use caution when approaching the barricades to help keep everyone safe including the operators who have important work to do. We ask at this time that all motorists be prepared to turn around or find an alternate route if possible.”

Updates on this closure will be posted to 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.