The Idaho Transportation Department will begin maintenance work on the Rainbow Bridge along State Highway 55 over the North Fork of the Payette River starting Monday. This project is intended to ensure the bridge meets current safety and capacity requirements until a new bridge is completed.
Crews will repair reinforced concrete bridge elements, replace expansion joints, and restore the deck surface. Work is expected to be completed in the fall. Motorists should expect delays in the area during construction.
SH-55 will be reduced to one lane on weekdays in the project area (Mondays at 6 a.m. to Thursdays at 5 p.m.). Temporary traffic signals will direct traffic.
Both lanes of SH-55 are expected to be open on weekends (Fridays – Sundays) and major holidays this summer. Prior to Memorial Day, one lane may be closed on weekends.
Lanes will be reduced to 11 feet.
Rafters should be aware of work on the bridge, follow signage, and look for direction from the river flagger during overhead work.
Repairs this summer will help prevent future load restrictions that could impact service vehicles, delivery vehicles and cattle trucks using SH-55. For the latest updates and additional information, please visit the project website.
The aging State Highway 21 bridge over the South Fork of the Payette River in Lowman will soon be replaced with a modern structure that improves safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Traffic control for this multi-season project begins setting up next week.
In the initial phase, crews will begin reconstructing the roadway adjacent to the existing bridge. Starting July 2025, demolition of the bridge’s north half will begin. From July through November 2025, traffic will be reduced to a single alternating lane, controlled by a temporary traffic signal, as construction on the north portion of the new bridge gets underway.
To minimize environmental impact—especially on critical bull trout spawning habitat—and to keep traffic moving, construction will take place over two seasons. Full completion is anticipated in spring 2027. Once finished, the new Lowman Bridge will offer improved travel conditions and enhanced safety.
The site has a rich history of moving Idahoans safely across the river: the original late 1800s timber truss bridge was replaced in 1925 with a newer timber truss bridge, which featured a timber center pier and two concrete piers. That bridge was declared unsafe in 1946 and replaced shortly thereafter with the current steel girder bridge.
Delays are expected during construction. Motorists are encouraged to check their route at 511.idaho.gov before heading to the area.
With repairs to the slide area at milepost 146.5 on U.S. Highway 95 now complete, the Idaho Transportation Department is reinstating routine permitting for commercial vehicles on State Highway 55 starting May 5.
Length restrictions had been temporarily lifted for the last month to allow companies to continue delivering goods to rural communities while crews worked to reopen US-95 between Council and New Meadows following a landslide on March 16.
Given the narrow and winding conditions on SH-55, only certain combinations of trucks and trailers are typically allowed for safety reasons. All regular restrictions are back in place for both highways.
For 24/7 updates on the status of Idaho highways, including restrictions for commercial vehicles, visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates.
US-95 set to reopen Monday morning after critical repairs made to large landslide
he Idaho Transportation Department will reopen U.S. Highway 95 between New Meadows and Council starting Monday.
This critical north-south route sustained significant damage from heavy rainfall on March 16, prompting a partial closure and the immediate launch of emergency design efforts. Repairs began on March 31, and this Monday will mark exactly four weeks since the full closure of the highway. Construction crews have been working extended hours, including two shifts per day. This accelerated schedule made it possible to reopen the highway in under a month.
“US-95 is one of Idaho’s most essential transportation routes, and from day one we knew we had to act swiftly and decisively to reopen in April,” said Dan McElhinney, ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer. “We deeply appreciate the public’s patience and the continued collaboration among all city, county and local business partners throughout the closure.”
Crews may be completing roadside and guardrail work using temporary lane closures as needed.
“The expedited work by our engineers and contractor to reopen US-95 was focused on quality and community support,” said Jason Brinkman, ITD District 3 Engineer.
The public is encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov before traveling on any of Idaho’s highways this summer, as construction projects on SH-55 are scheduled to begin once US-95 reopens.
This information is from the Idaho Office of Emergency Management
Businesses Impacted by U.S. Highway 95 Closure may be Eligible for Assistance
Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) is gathering information from non-farm small businesses and non-profit organizations whose operations were disrupted by the March 16 closure of U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows due to a landslide. This information will help determine whether impacted entities may be eligible for disaster assistance through low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Heavy rainfall on March 16 triggered a landslide that caused several hundred feet of roadway shoulder to give way, forcing the highway’s closure. Since then, the Idaho Transportation Department has been working to safely restore access. The highway is expected to reopen in early May once repairs are completed. In the meantime, drivers are encouraged to use State Highway 55 as an alternate route.
IOEM is in close coordination with the SBA to evaluate the potential for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. If approved following a disaster declaration request by Governor Brad Little, the program would make low-interest loans available to qualifying small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private non-profit organizations. These loans are intended to help cover ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met due to the disruption caused by the closure.
To request the declaration, the State of Idaho will need five or more qualifying EIDL worksheets from small businesses impacted by the closure. Businesses that have experienced economic losses, whether actual or estimated due to the ongoing closure, are encouraged to submit a worksheet, even if they do not intend to apply for a loan. This information is critical to demonstrate the extent of the economic impact and determine eligibility for federal assistance.
The worksheet may be found on IOEM’s website at ioem.idaho.gov/SBA. Forms can be downloaded and sent by email to jdick@imd.idaho.gov, by fax to 208.422.3044, or mailed directly to:
ATTN: Jarod Dick
4040 Guard St., Bldg. 600
Boise, ID 83705
Please note the EIDL worksheet is not a loan application; it is intended for businesses to report losses so a declaration request may be considered.
Farms and ranches are not eligible for the SBA program.
Critical repairs on US-95 to begin Monday – two shifts per day to accelerate work
Full closure on U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows will begin Monday. The contractor will be working two shifts per day to expedite the repairs and minimize the closure time.
The Idaho Transportation Department has carefully considered all potential detour options, including local roads, to minimize the impact on travelers. After exhaustive evaluation, it was determined that no local routes are capable of handling the heavy traffic diverted from US-95 due to early-season conditions and challenging terrain. To mitigate disruption, ITD recently cleared snow from the Weiser River Trail, which will serve as a bypass for local pedestrians and emergency responders. This trail provides a direct route around the closure. Designated parking on US-95 will be available on the north and south side of the landslide, ensuring residents and emergency personnel can continue to navigate the area safely. Additional details will be shared with businesses and local jurisdictions as we monitor trail demand.
Beginning Sunday evening at 8 p.m., US-95 will be fully closed to all vehicle traffic due to the oversized drill rig crane taking up both lanes. Crews will begin relocating fiber optic lines on Monday, followed by the start of excavation on Tuesday for the installation of a retaining wall. The excavation will involve removing 200 feet of pavement and digging to a depth of 10 feet across a 200-foot-long section of roadway. This work is scheduled to be complete by late April or early May.
ITD has modified commercial vehicle permits, allowing 53-foot single trailers to temporarily use State Highway 55 as a detour. This modification ensures that rural communities continue to receive deliveries of goods and services during the closure. ITD is coordinating all work on SH-55, which serves as the detour route for regional traffic. Maintenance projects that were slated to begin this spring will be postponed until US-95 is reopened.
Regular updates on the roadwork and closure will be available on 511.idaho.gov, through the 511 app, or by calling 511. ITD remains committed to restoring US-95 as quickly as possible while minimizing the impact on local communities and businesses.
The weight limit for vehicles traveling near the slide area has been increased to 26,000 lbs., up from 10,000 lbs. This change will remain in effect until Sunday’s closure.
3/26/2025 Equipment to be mobilized to US-95 landslide, full closure set for Monday
Equipment is being mobilized to begin permanent repair work on the U.S. Highway 95 landslide located between Council and New Meadows at milepost 146.5, about ten miles north of Council. Workers have been on-site since the hillside gave way last Sunday due to steady rainfall.
A full closure of US-95 to all vehicle traffic will be implemented starting Sunday evening at 8 p.m. Until then, flaggers will direct local non-truck traffic through one narrow lane during daylight hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After the closure on Sunday evening, the road will remain closed, as the contractor’s equipment will require both lanes for earthwork removal and wall installation.
On Monday, crews will begin excavation of a 200-foot-long, full-width section of the roadway, digging to a depth of 10 feet. Once excavation is complete, construction will begin immediately. The repair project will include a retaining wall, which will be anchored by steel piles driven into the stable rock layers of the slope. The highway is expected to reopen in early May once the work is completed.
There are no local detours that are passable this early in the season, and no local routes suitable for the impact of highway traffic. The Idaho Transportation Department has modified permitting for commercial vehicles to allow companies to safely operate on SH-55 to continue delivering goods to rural communities. This temporary exception allows 53-foot single trailers to use SH-55 as a detour for now.
ITD is working with emergency responders to ensure uninterrupted service for all areas. ITD is also working with local jurisdictions to identify potential alternatives for local workers to get past the US-95 closure.
For 24/7 updates on the status of the highway, visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates on this closure.
ITD modifies permitting for commercial vehicles on US-95 to ensure continued delivery of goods
In response to restrictions placed on U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows following a landslide on Sunday, the Idaho Transportation Department has modified permitting for commercial vehicles to allow companies to safely operate on State Highway 55 and continue delivering goods to rural communities.
The temporary exception allows 53-foot single trailers to use SH-55 as a detour for now. Given the narrow and winding conditions on SH-55, only certain combinations of trucks and trailers are typically allowed.
Drivers should expect more traffic on SH-55 with the current restrictions on US-95 and expect commercial vehicles to potentially slow down or stop near the Rainbow Bridge as they will be directed via signage to yield to oncoming traffic.
For 24/7 updates on the status of US-95 and SH-55 visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates.
One lane temporarily open for local traffic only through US-95 slide near Council
One lane of U.S. Highway 95 is now temporarily open at the slide at milepost 146.5 north of Council. This lane will only be for local traffic and only open during daylight hours between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. until contractor equipment begins work next week.
The highway will fully close each night as crews will only visually monitor the route during daylight for slumps or cracks that could indicate another slide.
Commercial vehicles will not be allowed on the route to avoid the narrow road. Flaggers in New Meadows and Council will direct these vehicles to turn around. The Idaho Transportation Department is working on modifying the permitting process to allow for commercial vehicles to take State Highway 55 instead. Drivers should expect to see more trucks on SH-55 and practice patience.
The engineering team is reviewing data from foundation drilling yesterday and are expecting a design of a retaining wall by Tuesday that will be anchored by steel piles driven into the stable rock layers of the slope. This data will tell the team where and how deep to drive the steel piles, and land surveyor data collected the last few days will identify the full size of the slide for wall length and height design.
ITD has a prime contractor at the ready and will be working simultaneously with the design team to secure materials and any subcontractors prior to the repairs starting next week.
There are no local detours that are passable this early in the season and able to withstand the impact of highway traffic.
ITD will issue another update next week once the design for the repairs has been completed and future impacts to traffic are better known. Drivers may not be able to pass through the slide area once repairs are underway given the size of equipment that will be on site. The highway will likely be impacted through late April.
Workers have been on scene since the hillside gave way on Sunday following steady rainfall.
For 24/7 updates on the status of the highway, visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates on this closure.
US-95 remains closed between Council and New Meadows
Guardrail hangs above a washed-out embankment
U.S. Highway 95 remains closed between Council and New Meadows due to a few hundred feet of downhill landslide of the roadway shoulder at milepost 146.5 along the Weiser River on Sunday afternoon following steady rainfall.
Engineering crews were on site this morning to assess the extent of the damage for repair decisions, and a drill crew will be on site tomorrow morning to investigate soil and slide information for a possible retaining wall.
“We aim to have one lane opened at some point this week, but just for cars,” District Engineer Jason Brinkman said. “We are concerned about allowing wider, heavier commercial vehicles on this narrow area until the repair work is complete.”
Regional traffic is encouraged to take State Highway 55 as no traffic is allowed through the landslide location. Only people who live between Council and Glendale south of the slide and between Pine Ridge and New Meadows north of the side will be allowed to access those areas. All other drivers are being turned around at the barricades in Council and New Meadows.
This particular area was already being monitored by the Idaho Transportation Department for storm damage concerns.
“These natural weather events are nearly impossible to predict,” Brinkman said. “Fortunately, given this season of storms, we are ready to respond and expedite this project.”
Getting the highway back open fully could take weeks. Motorists should visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates on this closure.
The Idaho Transportation Department will activate the new, long anticipated, interim traffic signal at the intersection of State Highway 55 and Banks Lowman Road on May 5, introducing a new traffic pattern to improve safety and efficiency at this busy junction.
This week crews will finish installing the traffic signal poles, with final preparations scheduled over the coming days to ready the intersection for the signal to go live. Once operational, the signal will provide safer and more predictable turning opportunities—particularly for those traveling from Banks Lowman Road onto SH-55, where long wait times have been common, especially during weekends and peak summer traffic. This interim signal solution was developed based on a preliminary study and public feedback. ITD crews designed this important safety project and installation work has included building the signal foundations, placing underground utilities, paving on Banks Lowman Road, installing guardrail, and erecting signal arms and heads.
“The new signal will help mobility and safety at this historically busy summer SH-55 river access intersection,” said Dan McElhinney, ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer. “This signal will provide a turning solution for those drivers on Banks Lowman Road, which will help reduce long lines and delays.”
In addition to adding the interim signal this year, ITD is also working on a long-term intersection widening solution. Staff has already begun a comprehensive intersection planning and design process that will review bridge widening, hillside setback earthwork and turn lanes to meet the growing regional and river area traffic mobility demands.
The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting an online meeting starting today for State Highway 69 from Orchard Avenue in Kuna to Overland Road in Meridian. The community is invited to view the proposed vision of the corridor, as traffic is expected to increase by 55% over the next 25 years. Participants can provide input and learn about the next steps for the SH-69 project.
The proposed vision for SH-69 includes:
Widening SH-69 to seven lanes between Overland and Kuna roads.
Widening SH-69 to five lanes between Kuna Road and Orchard Avenue.
Installing a new continuous raised median with access allowed at mile and 1/2-mile intersections. All other access onto SH-69 will be right-in and right-out.
Adding a 10-foot multi-use pathway on each side.
“The proposed vision of the corridor will accommodate motorized and non-motorized users as growth along the corridor is projected to increase 55% over the next 25 years. We look forward to gathering input from the community, as their feedback is crucial to moving the study forward,” Project Manager Mark Wasdahl said.
Details for the online meeting are listed below:
Online meeting will run Monday, April 7 – Monday, April 21
Those who do not have the ability to engage online are encouraged to call (208) 377-9688, or email Amber@RBCI.net, and a member of the project team will provide other resources to participate.
The Idaho Transportation Department has securely fastened 32 new American flags onto the Cloverdale Overpass, replacing the damaged ones that were removed Wednesday due to vandalism. These flags serve as a visible tribute to the fallen airmen who tragically lost their lives in a 2018 crash. ITD is also exploring options for a permanent memorial or other lasting ways to honor them at this site in the future.
“Vandalism of this type is not typical in Idaho. Working with community members and the Boise Police Department, our crew took quick action to remove the damaged flags and replace them with new ones. Above all, we made sure the entire process was carried out with the utmost respect,” ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney said.
ITD is deeply committed to supporting those who have served our country, as reflected by the 167 veterans currently employed by the department, making up more than ten percent of its workforce. This underscores ITD’s respect for military service and the invaluable contributions these individuals make to the department’s mission and success.
American Legion Post 201 will hold a flag decommissioning ceremony in the near future to properly retire the damaged American flags.
The Idaho Transportation Department will close Interstate 84 around the Karcher Interchange in Nampa starting this weekend to implement a traffic shift. This shift will allow crews to establish a safe work zone around the center pier of the bridge while maintaining the same number of lanes on I-84. Over the following weeks, crews will reinforce the interchange bridge to support the new westbound lane on Karcher Road (State Highway 55).
Here’s what to expect:
Full closure of westbound I-84 on Sunday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Full closure of eastbound I-84 on Monday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
The Karcher Interchange project addresses the unprecedented growth in Canyon County by widening the interchange bridge, adding a free-running westbound right turn lane and an additional westbound lane through Caldwell Boulevard. Additional improvements will include:
Upgrading signal equipment and adjusting timing at ramp intersections
Adding a pedestrian flashing beacon at the I-84 eastbound on-ramp
Adding a new sidewalk/bike path west of Caldwell Boulevard on the north side of Karcher Road (SH-55)
Repaving Karcher Road (SH-55) from the westbound on-ramps to Middleton Road
This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled if there is precipitation or temperatures drop too low. To learn more about the project or view detour maps, please visit the project website.
The Idaho Transportation Department will close 10th Avenue in Caldwell underneath the interchange bridge this Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The closure is necessary for crews to install concrete girders that will support the new bridge deck.
The seven girders to be placed are made in Caldwell. Each girder is 140 feet long and weighs 133,000 pounds. Motorists will be detoured on Centennial Way during the closure, and shuttle buses will be available to transport pedestrians and bicyclists. Interstate 84 will not be impacted during this girder placement.
“Placing these girders is a major milestone in the project,” ITD Resident Engineer Styles Salek said. “The new bridge will accommodate the additional lanes being added to I-84, improving traffic flow and capacity in the area.”
This girder placement is part of the ongoing project on I-84 between the Centennial Way and Franklin Road interchanges in Caldwell. This comprehensive project, which began in November 2023, includes:
Widening I-84 to three lanes in each direction, with auxiliary lanes between interchanges.
Replacing the 10th Avenue Interchange.
Removing one westbound on-ramp at the 10th Avenue Interchange.
Updating the pedestrian overpass.
Building a sound wall along Hannibal Street.
Adding a traffic signal at the westbound ramps at the Centennial Way Interchange.
Drivers are reminded that the speed limit in the I-84 work zone is 55 mph. With workers, trucks, and heavy equipment operating close to traffic, ITD urges motorists to slow down, stay alert, and follow all posted signs.
Crews will close 10th Avenue underneath the interchange bridge on Saturday, March 8. This closure will give crews the space they need to place girders for the interchange bridge.
In preparation of more snow in the region, the Idaho Transportation Department will temporarily close U.S. Highway 20 from Anderson Dam Road to Hill City tomorrow (Feb. 12, 2025).
ITD crews will work to remove built-up snow and overhangs along the highway to improve safety and allow for more effective plowing. To protect workers and motorists, this stretch of US-20 will be closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the snow removal effort.
“We understand this is an important route for many travelers, and our goal is to keep it as safe as possible. Clearing this snow now will make the highway safer for everyone, especially with more snowfall expected as early as Thursday,” Foreman Gabe Sielaff said.
Drivers should plan alternate routes and check 511.idaho.gov for the latest road conditions before traveling.
Sections of State Highway 55 between Farmway Road and Middleton Road will be closed beginning this Friday. The weekend closures will continue until March as part of the SH-55 widening project.
Each weekend, full closures will begin on Friday at 10 p.m. and continue until Monday at 5 a.m. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Large vehicles traveling to Nampa and Caldwell should use alternate routes, including U.S. Highway 95 and State Highways 19, 78, and 45.
“The canal under-crossings need to be replaced to support the wider highway and this work must be completed before spring while irrigation canals and lines are empty,” ITD Project Manager Justin Wolf said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.”
