Category: Southwest

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) asks drivers in Payette to plan ahead, as the State Highway 52 Snake River Bridge will be closed this Thursday, October 6.

In cooperation with the City of Payette and Payette County Road and Bridge, crews will repave the driving surface of the bridge on Thursday. The bridge will be closed to travelers starting at 8:00 a.m. and will reopen when work is complete later that evening, by approximately 8:00 p.m. Please check Idaho 511 at 511.idaho.gov for the most up-to-date information.

Design work is currently underway on plans for a future bridge replacement scheduled for construction in 2026.

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ITD and the Idaho State Police advise motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.

Construction activity is picking up along U.S. Highway 20/26, as the Idaho Transportation Department’s planned improvements to widen the Chinden West corridor continue. This work is part of ITD’s efforts to reduce congestion and crashes on this heavily traveled corridor.

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I-84 to Middleton Road

Starting the week of September 12, construction will begin mostly off the highway on the southside of this section of US-20/26. Work includes utility and irrigation construction during daytime hours. As construction progresses, lane reductions are planned, but will be announced well ahead of time. Construction in this section is anticipated to be complete in 2024.

Middleton Road to Star Road

Preliminary design continues on this 6-mile segment of US-20/26. ITD will share updates and host another open house in 2023 for the public to view final design plans. A link to materials shared during the previous May 2022 open house is available at itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Star Road to State Highway 16

Drivers should currently plan for overnight lane closures on this portion of US-20/26 starting the week of October 10. The highway will be reduced to one lane in each direction with intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Traffic on Star Road near the highway will also be limited. Flaggers will guide drivers through the work zone. Lane reductions will occur throughout construction as ITD works to widen the highway over the next two years.

Meridian Road to Locust Grove Road

Beginning the week of September 26, crews will start utility work and clearing the ITD right of way in order to widen this section of US-20/26 to two lanes in each direction. This work will continue through December, then paving and road reconstruction is anticipated to start in February 2023 or when temperatures allow. All work will wrap up in early summer.

During construction, one lane in each direction will remain open through the work zone. However, motorists can expect shoulder work, reduced speeds, and periodic lane closures with occasional night work. Specific updates regarding schedule and potential traffic impacts will be provided to residents and businesses in the area when available.

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For all work along US-20/26, ITD reminds drivers to slow down, watch for posted signs, and sign up for construction updates by either emailing chindenwest@itd.idaho.gov, calling 208.334.8007, or visiting itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Monday, September 12, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins work to repave State Highway 55 between Round Valley Road and Clear Creek in Valley County.

The project will focus on repaving a six-mile stretch of highway south of Cascade, repairing cracks, potholes, and overall uneven surfaces caused by weather, usage, and age. Additionally, construction will level out steep approaches and add a pavement apron to all roads and driveways connecting to the highway, providing a smooth and safe transition onto the newly paved surface.

Travelers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes while crews work Monday through Friday, although wait times may vary depending on traffic density. Temporary traffic signals will allow one lane to drive through the work zone at a time. Both lanes of SH-55 will be open during the weekend. Weather permitting, the project is expected to finish in late October.

“SH-55 is one of the most iconic highways in the state, with some of the best recreational opportunities Idaho has to offer,” said Greer Gardner, project engineer. “The winter snow this area is so popular for can cause wear on a highway. This maintenance will help improve safety and driving comfort for both Valley County residents and travelers.”

To learn more about the SH-55 Clear Creek project and sign up for email updates, visit itdprojects.org/sh55clearcreek.

ITD and the Idaho State Police advise motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.

This July the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins the next phase of construction on the State Highway 16 corridor through the central Treasure Valley. The new extension will run north to south between U.S. Highway 20/26 and Interstate 84, west of McDermott Road along the border of Ada and Canyon counties. It will tie into the existing SH-16 route, which continues north to Emmett.

Monday, July 18, initial work starts on the southern end of the corridor where crews will set barriers and shift traffic to create room to build ramps and the bridge foundation for what will become an interchange connecting I-84 to the SH-16 extension. Drivers can expect overnight lane closures on I-84 between the Black Cat Road and Robinson Road overpasses from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Work begins on the northern end, at the intersection of SH-16 and US-20/26, Monday, August 1. Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction on US-20/26 as crews remove the center median and widen the intersection. Lane restrictions on US-20/26 will be in place through next year.

“We are excited to get underway with the next step of construction,” said ITD Project Manager Merrill Sharp. “Ultimately, this highway will address growth and improve mobility for thousands of motorists in the central Treasure Valley.”

ITD is building SH-16 in phases. The first phase was completed in 2014 between US-20/26 and SH-44. The second phase will be under construction from 2022 to 2024. A third and final phase will be constructed in future years as funding becomes available.

Phase 2 includes constructing:

• A new I-84 interchange to access the central Treasure Valley north of I-84.
• Approximately 4.5 miles of highway between US-20/26 and I-84.
• Overpasses crossing Cherry Lane and McMillan Road.
• Bridges over irrigation canals and the railroad.
• Signalized intersections at US-20/26, Franklin Road, and Ustick Road.
• Reconstruction of the current signalized intersection at US-20/26.

Early construction activities will also include increased truck traffic in the area as crews haul materials and utility companies relocate infrastructure. Construction may require additional closures or delays on roads in the project area and nighttime work. “It will be important to plan ahead when traveling around the corridor. ITD will communicate regularly throughout construction with those who live, work, and commute in this area,” Sharp said.

Stay informed by signing up for email and text alerts regarding project updates. Text HIGHWAY16 to 1-866-483-8422 or visit itdprojects.org/sh16corridor. Maps and other details can also be found on the project website.

Phase 2 construction is funded through Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. Leading Idaho allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to invest in projects within the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) corridors that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy and positively impact communities across the state for years to come.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is making improvements to State Highway 45 between the State Highway 78 junction in Walters Ferry and Deer Flat Road in Nampa. Construction on the 13-mile stretch of road will begin Monday, June 27. All work is expected to be complete by early September.

Construction plans include replacing the bridge deck at Mora Canal, resurfacing the pavement between the SH-78 junction in Walters Ferry and Deer Flat Road in Nampa, and widening the turning radius on SH-45 at Missouri Avenue and at Patterson Avenue. This project will extend the life of SH-45.

Motorists should expect the following traffic impacts this summer:

• Work will take place during the day and night.
• One lane of SH-45 will be open with flaggers directing traffic. Please plan for delays up to 15 minutes.
• The speed limit will be reduced.
• Drivers can expect an uneven road surface and bumps when entering SH-45.
• Access to and from homes and businesses may be closed for up to one hour. ITD will notify those affected prior to closures.

Work will temporarily pause over the Independence Day holiday weekend. For more information about the project visit itdprojects.org/45repaving.

ITD and the Idaho State Police advise motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is nearing a major milestone in the Interstate 84 widening project in Caldwell, bringing extended ramp closures and traffic changes near the Franklin Road Interchange (Exit 29).

Between June and September, each of the ramps at the Franklin Road Interchange will close for six weeks. The closures will allow crews to rebuild the ramps and connect them to new lanes on I-84.

Although exact dates are subject to change due to weather and other factors, ITD expects:

• On June 19, the westbound off-ramp will close at 10 p.m. and remain closed for six weeks. Drivers will be detoured to 10th Avenue, where they can turn around and access Franklin Road from eastbound I-84.
• On June 26, the eastbound on-ramp will close at 10 p.m. and remain closed for six weeks. Traffic will detour down 21st Avenue to Blaine Street, then west to the 10th Avenue Interchange.
• On June 26, Linden Street will close under I-84 at 10 p.m. until late 2022 while crews finish the reconstruction of the underpass.

Once these two ramps re-open in late July, the other two ramps will close until early September. In addition to the extended closures, motorists can expect occasional nighttime lane restrictions on I-84 and ramps in the area. To request email or text updates about upcoming closures, text 84CORRIDOR to 1-866-483-8422.

“We have been working with our engineers and community leaders since 2020 to determine the best way to deliver this complex project while keeping traffic moving,” said Shawna King, ITD Design/Construction Engineer. “We ask motorists to be patient this summer and drive safely. We will keep everyone informed and look for every opportunity to expedite the process.”

ITD is expanding I-84 to three lanes in each direction between the Franklin Road Interchange in Caldwell and the Karcher Interchange in Nampa. Traffic will be shifted to the newest lanes in the I-84 median in June, allowing crews to begin rebuilding the existing outside lanes.

Construction on I-84 in Caldwell will be complete in 2023. For more information, visit itdprojects.org/84corridor, email 84corridor@itd.idaho.gov or call (208) 334-8002.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFDfu_fZnc4