Starting Monday, roadside construction will commence on U.S. Highway 95 between Riggins and the Time Zone Bridge to reduce the chance of rockfall. Workers will knock down insecure rocks and install rock anchors to stabilize the hillside above US-95.
Travelers can expect intermittent delays of up to 20 minutes while overhead debris is removed and anchors are installed. The travel lane width may be restricted in the work zone and slower speeds are encouraged for safety. Construction is slated to conclude through November.
Rockfall mitigation efforts remain a priority in this region because of the complex geology. This work will significantly increase safety by reducing the risk of future rock falls and prevent damage to the roadway.
The cost for the project is just over $1.6 million.
Live traffic impacts across the region from this project and others including construction near Whitebird can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.
ITD’s Office of Communication received two national awards from AASHTO’s Committee on Transportation Communications (TransComm) today (September 24) at their annual meeting in Atlanta. AASHTO is the nation’s premiere transportation governing body.
Idaho won an award for “Best Use of a Single Social Media Platform” in recognition of phenomenal growth within the Instagram account – a 200% increase this year. The social media accounts are managed by Josie Bisgard, with input from each of the district PIOs around the state. The department also has Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube accounts.
ITD also won in the Writing category for “Article with DOT Byline” for a piece from Mark Pfeifer detailing how the Powell crew in north-central Idaho helped rescue an injured woman who’d fallen 200 feet down an embankment into Weir Creek. Here’s the link to that article: https://www.clearwaterprogress.com/news/itd-crew-recognized-for-help-in-rescue/article_f9ffdac0-0a52-11ee-8a09-2381c69a79f8.html
“It is so gratifying to receive this national recognition and be able to highlight some of the amazing work our communication team does each and every day,” said Office of Communication Manager John Tomlinson. “I am so proud of our entire staff!”
Motorists should be advised that State Highway 11 is closed between Headquarters and Hollywood due to a structure fire near Cardiff.
There is no posted detour or estimated time of reopening. To follow and get continual updates about this instance please visit Idaho 511. Access it 24/7 on the web at 511.idaho.gov/, by downloading the free mobile app or by dialing 511 on your phone.
Starting today several high priority culverts at multiple locations along U.S. Highway 95, State Highway 8, and State Highway 3 will be rehabilitated. To extend the culverts’ service lives, they need to be repaired.
The repairs will be conducted in the following order and locations:
- SH-8 just past Troy at milepost 16
- SH-3 between Kendrick and Deary at milepost 27
- US-95 south of Grangeville and near White Bird Grade at mileposts 238 and 239
Motorists should exercise caution when traveling through the work zones. Crews will try to minimize impacts to traffic and most of the work should be off the roadway.
Each culvert should take about a week to complete before crews move on to the next one. All of the culvert repairs are estimated to take about a month to complete.
Culvert liners will be installed, and scour holes will be repaired. In addition, some trees may be removed, and rock will be placed to armor the inlets and outlets. This work will ultimately extend their useful life, avoiding more extensive repairs and disruptions to traffic in the future.
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.
Sections of State Highway 3 and U.S. Highway 12 remain closed as part of the ongoing emergency response as several wildfires sparked by Wednesday’s lightning storm continue to burn across North Central Idaho. All lanes on SH-3 are closed from Julietta to Arrow. US 12 remains closed from Spalding to Peck at the time of this release.
For current information, please continue to reference the following sources below:
Status of the fires:
Local sheriffs are responsible for ordering evacuations:
ITD resources and personnel have been mobilized from Coeur d’Alene to Lewiston to assist with the fires. Coordination with county and state law enforcement partners continues as well.
The safety of the public is a priority so please avoid the area. Therefore, only essential travel at this time is encouraged. The department and first responders appreciate your cooperation during this dynamic and evolving situation.
Several sections of U.S. Highway 95, U.S. Highway 12 and State Highway 11 will begin receiving surface treatments as early as Monday. Motorists can expect work zones with flaggers and one lane of alternating traffic. The sections listed below are in the order that work will be performed:
- US-12 from 9-Mile River access (just east of Wilderness Gateway Campground) to the Montana state line.
- SH-11 from Grangemont Road to Headquarters.
- US-95 from White Bird Bridge to near the top of White Bird Grade.
- US-95 from the Goff (Time Zone) Bridge to Riggins.
Each of these sealcoats are anticipated to take between one to two weeks to complete before crews move on to the next section of highway.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down and be ready to stop when approaching a work zone. Delays may range from 15 to 30 minutes. Patience is appreciated for the safety of crews.
Sealcoats are necessary applications that preserve the road and improve the driving surface by waterproofing the roadway and increasing skid resistance for safety. Some additional crack sealing may be performed as part of this restorative maintenance.
Construction will conclude by the end of August. 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.
Motorists can expect improvements at the intersection of U.S. Highway 95 and Truck Route Bypass Road at the north side of Grangeville starting today.
A northbound right turn lane and southbound left turn lane will be added to US-95. The turn bays will enhance safety by allowing turning traffic to pull out of the travel lanes to decelerate.
Additionally, about 100 feet of the Truck Route Bypass Road will be regraded to provide a smoother transition onto US-95. Other improvements on the project will include the installation of new culverts and regraded ditches for stormwater transport.
Lane closures with flaggers and pilot car should be expected. The work zone will be short in length and delays should be minimum at 15 minutes.
Construction will conclude by the end of September. 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.
Repairs on State Highway 64 will commence today, following major spring flooding that has closed the road west of Kamiah since April 14.
During the construction, motorists can expect SH-64 between milepost 24 and milepost 30 to remain fully closed. Travelers are encouraged to use State Highway 162 between Nez Perce and Kamiah as an alternative.
Construction includes the installation of retaining walls, rebuilding the road base, and paving. The work zone contains several slide locations that are slated for repairs.
Trucks hauling equipment and materials will need to access the project site from both Nez Perce and Kamiah. Motorists should be aware of this significant increase in traffic during construction.
The Idaho Transportation Department and consultant partners accelerated design efforts so that construction work could be completed by this November.
For more information please visit https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us-64-emergency-repair-project.
Traffic on the U.S. Highway 12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge will switch from the west side to the newly constructed east side of the bridge by the end of this week. Drivers can expect at least two lanes of traffic, one in either direction.
Drivers will travel on the renovated concrete surface while crews shift their attention to the west side. The next stage of construction will mirror what was performed on the east side of the bridge.
With new facilities available on the east side for pedestrians and bicyclists, the shuttle will stop operating after the shift.
The bridge improvements enhance safety and mobility by offering wider travel lanes, shoulders, median and sidewalks. In addition, the new bridge will eliminate current weight restrictions for heavy loads and bring it up to current standards.
Bridge construction will conclude by the end this year. Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov, dialing 5-1-1 or downloading the app.
