The Idaho Transportation Department launched the next phase of a safety patrol and courtesy towing service on Interstate 84 this week. The service, which was introduced in 2019 in Nampa, will now include the I-84 construction zones in Caldwell.
The Safety Services Patrol provides complimentary towing for disabled vehicles in the I-84 construction zone. The service has assisted 274 vehicles since it began.
“I-84 is the main commuting and freight route for thousands of drivers in Canyon County,” said Mark Campbell, ITD project manager. “Our goal in funding this service is to keep these drivers moving as safely and efficiently as possible as construction moves west toward Caldwell.”
Patrol vehicles will operate Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. between 10th Ave/City Center (exit 29) and Karcher/Midland Road (exit 33). Vehicles will be marked with new signage to increase visibility.
Disabled cars, trucks or motorcycles are towed to one of four locations located on the map. Motorists are responsible to arrange transportation for their vehicle within 24 hours.
“We are committed to continuing the close working relationship between this program, our state communications office and Idaho State Police in the next phase of the program,” said Campbell. “These offices, working together, are able to clear crashes quickly and safely.”
Crews recently began constructing temporary travel lanes in the outside shoulders of I-84 between Caldwell and Nampa. For more information about I-84 construction in Canyon County, listen to the Drive Idaho podcast or visit itdprojects.org/84corridor.
As part of ongoing construction to widen Chinden in the Treasure Valley, several eastbound lanes on Chinden will close tonight at the Linder intersection and stay closed until construction on this segment ends later this summer.
Flaggers will reduce eastbound Chinden to one dedicated left turn lane and one through/right turn lane so crews can place traffic signal poles. Westbound traffic will not be affected, but eastbound motorists should expect significant delays at peak travel time and allow extra time to reach their destinations.
This configuration will remain in place until later this summer when work on this segment is anticipated to end. At that time, Chinden will open to four lanes, two in each direction, with a center median between Linder and Meridian Road.
To learn more about other widening plans in the corridor and sign up for updates, visit itdprojects.org/chindenwest.
In the wake of a rockslide on March 15 along Idaho State Highway 55 near Smiths Ferry, the Idaho Transportation Department has determined the slide was a localized event and, after additional mitigation, the greater hillside remains stable.
The slide occurred within a work zone where crews are cutting into the adjacent hillside to create extra room for ID-55 and enhance the overall safety of the road. The space will be used to reduce the severity of curves, construct wider shoulders, and add guardrail and pullouts.
Water from melting snow seeped into and destabilized the hillside at a cut crews created last fall. To prevent future localized slides, ITD is enhancing the reinforcement of the hillside as cuts are created. The Department has hired geotechnical experts to aid in this effort. This approach is expected to improve reliability of the hillside’s stability and the overall efficiency of the blasting work.
“Safety is the top priority of the Idaho Transportation Department. We are thankful no one was hurt during the rockslide activity on State Highway 55 last month,” said District 3 Administrator Caleb Lakey. “Hillsides and slopes become more unstable when doing work of this nature. We expect rock fall as a part of these projects. We had precautions in place to protect the traveling public in case of any slide activity and are doubling down on those precautions.”
ID-55 is now open to a single lane of alternating one-way traffic. Travelers should plan for a fifteen-minute delay at the project location. From now until late May, there will be daily closures Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to allow blasting and debris removal activity.
“I appreciate the public’s patience as we responded to this rockslide,” said Lakey. “We did not take the reduction of service on this critical corridor lightly. It’s a good reminder to drive attentive and be on the lookout for rocks on the roadway during the springtime.”
ID-55 is open to one lane of alternating traffic between Smiths Ferry and Rainbow Bridge starting at 8 a.m. today. Drivers can expect full road closures Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and one-way alternating traffic with a 15-minute delay when the road is not closed.
Idaho Highway 55 near Smiths Ferry will reopen to the public beginning at 8 a.m. Friday morning to a one-lane alternating traffic configuration. The highway will remain in this configuration except for regular closures Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as construction crews blast. Until Friday, the highway will remain closed, with an open window tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We know how important it is to have the highway open for this weekend’s traffic,” said Caleb Lakey, ITD District 3 Engineer. “The response to the March 15 rock slide has been excellent, with many experts converging to address the problem quickly. I appreciate the public’s patience during this reduction in highway service.”
Sunday’s blasting work successfully mitigated travel risk in the area of the rockslide on ID-55 and experts feel confident that the hillside is now stable for safe, long-term travel through the corridor. Crews will finish removing the blast debris and cleaning up the area on Thursday.
From April 2 through mid-May, the road will be closed Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and open to one lane of alternating traffic with a 15-minute delay outside of the closure hours. For more information about the ID-55 Smiths Ferry Project, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/id55smithsferry/
update #10: 2:00 p.m. 3/29/2021
Over the weekend, Idaho Transportation Department contractors successfully removed an undercut outcropping of rock that remained from a rockslide near Smiths Ferry on March 15, completing a critical safety intervention to allow a return to normal work.
The outcropping presented a considerable safety hazard to the public using Idaho Highway 55 below. ITD brought in a nationally-recognized team of geotechnical engineers to assess the situation and develop a blasting plan to remove the remaining material. The blast occurred Sunday at 4 p.m. after the road was closed for the day.
“It was a picture-perfect blast,” said ITD Project Manager Alex Deduck. “We needed to remove roughly 1500 tons of material sitting 30-50 feet above the roadway. The narrow landing area made this incredibly difficult, but the team did a great job.”
The blast required several days of preparation. A survey crew scaled across the rock face to determine drilling locations. Then, a blasting plan was drawn up. On Saturday, an excavator and drilling machine were flown above the rock face to drill holes and set charges.
“The use of a helicopter was cheaper and faster for us,” said Deduck. “The terrain here is steep and covered in trees. It would have taken several days to pioneer a path to the slide location.”
The blast area is now under a 48-hour observation period to watch for additional movement. Following that, the blasted material will be removed. The road will remain closed except from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, when a single lane of alternating traffic will be allowed. ITD encourages motorists to us U.S. 95 as an alternate route.
ITD will provide another update this Wednesday evening.
update #9: 8:30 a.m. 3/26/2021
Idaho Highway 55 continues to be open daily to one lane of alternating traffic between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Travelers can expect a 15-minute delay during this time and road closures outside of these hours.
The current traffic restrictions are expected to last through early April as crews work to remove the remaining rock outcropping. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, visit Idaho 511, and pay close attention to the message boards on ID-55.
Update #8: 2:00 p.m. 3/23/2021
Geo-technical crew scaling the rock face Monday
Starting Wednesday, March 24, Idaho Highway 55 will have daily openings to one lane of alternating traffic from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The road will be closed outside these hours. Travelers can expect at least 15 minute delays during this time. Crews will be actively monitoring the rock outcropping and are prepared to close the road immediately if weather or hillside conditions change. ITD recommends travelers, especially large vehicles, RVs, and trucks pulling trailers, still use U.S. 95 as the alternate route.
“We want to thank the public for their patience as we respond to this rock slide,” said Caleb Lakey, ITD District Engineer. “Our ITD personnel and contractor crews have worked nights and weekends to open the road and protect the public. While this is a major milestone, we recognize that there is still significant effort required to resolve this issue.”
ITD is working alongside national slide experts and finalizing plans to safely remove the remaining rock outcropping, which will require additional full road closures. These closures will likely begin in the next seven days. More information about the closures will be provided as it is available. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, visit Idaho 511, and pay close attention to the message boards on ID-55.
Update #7: 5:30 p.m. 3/21/2021
A crew surveys the slide area on ID-55
ITD has been monitoring the rock slide throughout the weekend and determined that conditions continue to be unsafe in the area, and Idaho Highway 55 will remain closed to traffic.
“At this point, our ITD team can’t confidently open the road with the existing risks to the traveling public and crews,” said Caleb Lakey, ITD District Engineer. “Recent weather conditions paired with the weakened hillside, rock and soil from the slide has created a situation that requires further considerations before we can allow cars through. We know ID-55 is an important travel corridor in Idaho and we are working hard to open the road safely.”
Drivers are advised to use U.S. 95 as an alternate route. The next update will be provided in the afternoon on Tuesday, March 23.
Update #6: 1:50 p.m. 3/18/2021
A national rock slide expert has evaluated the slide that took place March 15 on Idaho Highway 55 and determined that the road should remain closed at least through Sunday, March 21 for safety reasons. ITD is working diligently to safely open the road to traffic and will monitor conditions through the weekend during the forecasted storms. Working with experts, ITD will review conditions in advance of next week and provide another update during the afternoon on Sunday, March 21, so travelers can make appropriate travel plans.
“Safety of the traveling public, as well as the crews who are on site, is our top priority,” said Jason Brinkman, ITD District 3 Engineering Manager. “These decisions are not taken lightly. We understand that this road closure is not ideal, and are working extensively to reopen the road as soon as safely feasible.”
ITD continues to advise motorists to use U.S. 95 as an alternate route.
Panoramic photo of the slide, March 17th, 2021
update #5: 1:00 p.m. 3/17/2021
Idaho Highway 55 will remain closed today, through tomorrow. The Department continues to advise motorists to use U.S. 95 as an alternate route.
ITD crews monitoring the slide have seen continued movement of the hillside. The Department has called in nationwide experts to better assess the situation. These experts have assisted ITD in the past with the 2020 slide on U.S. 95 near Riggins. They will be on site tomorrow where we will asses how to proceed.
ITD will provide another update midday Thursday, March 18th.
update #4: 10:00 p.m. 3/16/2021
ID-55 near Smiths Ferry will remain closed due to the condition of the adjacent hillside. Safety is the top priority as crews continue to investigate the situation and work to reopen the road. Drivers shoulduse U.S. 95 as an alternate route. A status update will be provided midday Wednesday, March 17.
Update #3: 12:45 p.m. 3/16/2021
Crews are removing debris from the rockslide and working to open a single lane for travel. At this time, the closure will be extended beyond 2:00 p.m. today. Conditions are variable and no estimate can be given if the highway will open today or tomorrow. Motorists are encouraged to consider an alternate route.
Geotechnical engineers have conducted a preliminary assessment and believe there is risk more rocks may slide. Current work is focused on creating protection for at least a single travel lane on the highway from additional rockfall.
ITD has coordinated with emergency service providers to ensure critical services remain available for the community.
UPDATE #2: 11:25 A.m. 3/16/2021
Photo Gallery of slide added
Prev
Next
update #1: 10:40 A.m. 3/16/2021
Idaho Highway 55 will remain closed while crews address the rockslide. The current plan is to follow closure protocols established for the highway project during a blasting event, which requires a complete closure from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The slide removed rock and earth from beneath a spire on the hillside. The stability of that spire is uncertain and the area is considered dangerous. Motorists planning to travel between Valley County and Boise County should consider alternate routes.
Another update will be provided this afternoon.
Original post: 9:30 a.m. 3/16/2021
Late in the night on March 15th, a rockslide hit Idaho Highway 55 near Smiths Ferry, closing the highway. This is located within the work zone for the Smiths Ferry to Rainbow Bridge highway improvement project. However, at this time, there is no indication the work there directly triggered the slide.
There are no known injuries at this time. An excavator being used for the project did get hit.
Geotechnical experts are evaluating the situation. Given early observations at first light, the situation remains dangerous and the highway will remain closed.
“The rock and earth in this area is historically unstable,” said project manager Alex Deduck. “We saw a significant slide in 2019 just south of here. Last night’s slide is another example why our project is so important.”
The Smiths Ferry to Rainbow Bridge project will remove thousands of tons of rock and earth from the adjacent hillside to widen the highway, create rock catchment ditches, and reduce the severity of curves. Information about the project, as well as resources to sign up for email and text alerts, can be found at itdprojects.org/id55smithsferry/.
More information will be posted on this blog post as the situation develops.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is changing construction plans with a revised final lane configuration for the Eagle Rd. and Idaho Highway 44 intersection to build and upgraded traditional, signalized intersection with additional turn and through lanes in Eagle.
When complete this fall, the revised lane configuration will eliminate displaced left turn movements and potential wrong way driver confusion factors while still greatly relieving congestion during peak commute hours. The new Eagle Rd. and ID-44 design will include additional left-turning lanes and will replace short free free-running right turns with longer right turn pockets.
“After taking another look at the intersection design from a traffic operations layout and safety standpoint, we believe a wider, traditional lanes upgraded signalized intersection is the best solution that will benefit the Eagle community and region for 20 years or more at Idaho State Highway 44 and Eagle Road,” said ITD Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney.
Changes to construction will be seamless and will happen under the existing agreement with Knife River, the contractor. Elimination of the free-running rights allows the revised lane configuration to fit within the same footprint of the existing intersection and ITD anticipates the project will be built for around the same budget. Every effort will be made to maintain the schedule with construction completed by fall 2021.
Motorists are encouraged to slow down and pay attention when traveling in the work zone.
Spring construction picks back up on Idaho Highway 55 between Smiths Ferry and the Rainbow Bridge Monday, March 15. The Idaho Transportation Department’s project will widen shoulders, add guardrail, and straighten this curvy one-mile stretch of highway to improve safety. Watch the video below to see the project.
Earlier this month, crews removed snow and set up construction equipment in the canyon. Starting March 15, travelers should plan for full road closures Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., due to controlled rock blasting needed to widen the road. When ID-55 is not closed, there will be one-way alternating traffic with 15-minute delays. This work schedule is expected through May, when crews will transition into summer operations.
The Idaho Transportation Department will begin construction of a half continuous flow intersection (CFI) at Eagle Road and ID-44 in Eagle on Monday, February 22 to improve mobility and safety at this busy intersection
Connecting two major highways in the Treasure Valley, more than 70,000 vehicles travel through this intersection every day. The half CFI design improves safety and reduces congestion all within relatively small footprint.
Across the nation, CFIs have a proven track record of increased efficiency and safety. This will be the first CFI constructed in Idaho. ITD encourages the public to learn how to navigate through the intersection by watching and sharing an explainer video below.
“The new design does require drivers to pay attention and think ahead, especially on Idaho Highway 44,” said Tyler Coy, ITD Project Manager. “I encourage everyone to learn more about how it works by watching the video during and after construction. When we’re done, there will be overhead signs guiding traffic to the right place. It’s really important people drive attentively.”
Due to traffic volume during the day, most construction will occur overnight between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Some work is scheduled during daytime hours but will mostly occur in the roadway shoulders. Nearby businesses and residents may experience loud noise from construction equipment, vibration, and bright light from the work zone.
Motorists are encouraged to slow down and pay attention when traveling in the work zone.
Construction is expected to be complete in early fall 2021.
The total project budget is $8.9M. Knife River is the contractor for construction.
A pilot program on I-84 construction zones designed to increase efficient movement of people and commerce won a leadership award for enhancing safety through a key corridor.
The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) selected the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Safety Patrols Program on I-84 as the winner for the “Leadership in Government, Canyon County” category for their annual Leadership in Motion awards.
The Safety Patrols pilot program was an idea introduced by ITD Emergency Management Planner Neal Murphy after seeing similar programs in other states. Murphy pitched the program to GARVEE Managers Amy Schroeder and Mark Campbell as a way to increase safety for emergency responders, construction workers, and the traveling public while ensuring traffic was able to flow at a steady pace.
“Mark and I coordinated with ITD Contracting Services to build a contract and worked through numerous issues before getting it to the Tow Association.” Murphy explained. “We also coordinated operations with Idaho State Police, ISP dispatch, and State Communications ensure ITD had a sound product to serve the traveling public. It was a team effort to make this happen and hopefully it will be a model for future Idaho construction projects in large cities.”
The service operates during weekday peak hours and as needed for special occasions such as traffic shifts or closures, holidays and public events. The services include assisting with breakdowns, accidents and law enforcement traffic assistance. Craig Parker is the primary contractor operating the tow. His goal is to remove the vehicle and occupants from the work zone and take them to a safe location off the interstate to enhance their safety while reducing traffic delays.
From the time the service began in December 2019 through August 2020, the Safety Service Patrol has completed 154 assists/tows. This includes 81 breakdowns, 44 accidents, and 29 law enforcement assists with zero serious injuries or stuck-by events.
In addition, ISP’s increased presence in this high priority construction corridor has resulted in an improvement in officer response times in the work zone. ISP has made 1,613 contacts and traveled 17,568 miles since the beginning of construction.
ITD was commended for providing prompt and safe response times to stranded motorists, reducing congestion and increasing reliability of travel times.
Idaho Transportation Department crews are completing emergency repairs to a section of Idaho Highway 45 after numerous potholes formed on the roadway.
Potholes continue to form between Deer Flat Road and Melba Road, an eight-mile stretch of ID-45. The damage is caused by water seeping under the surface, freezing – which pushes the pavement up – and thawing, leaving a void.
Crews excavate damaged pavement in preparation for a cold patch
The voided pavement then collapses under the weight of traffic.
The emergency repairs involve removing asphalt and debris from the hole, cutting out the damaged pavement, and filling the hole with an asphalt material designed for use during cold temperatures. Crews will close one lane of ID-45, controlling traffic with flaggers. Motorists should drive engaged and anticipate delays of no more than 15 minutes. Repair work is expected to take up to two or three days.
“We’ve been patching this section of highway to keep it together,” said Camilo Serrano, the ITD Maintenance Foreman for the area. “With the rain and snow we got, and temperatures dropping then warming up again, we’re seeing a lot of potholes forming. I’m hoping these patches will stick through the winter until we can come back in the spring with better repairs.”
This cold patch material is not as strong as typical asphalt and will only work for a short time. Normal asphalt is unavailable currently as no nearby asphalt mixing plant is operational this time of year due to seasonal conditions. ITD is developing a plan to complete longer-lasting repairs in the spring. The fix will be similar to the operation in 2017 to repair I-84 after many potholes formed during that year’s severe winter.
The Department has previously budgeted for major rehabilitation of the pavement from the Junction of ID-78 to Deer Flat Road, scheduled for 2025. The springtime repairs will be designed with the intent to keep the roadway in an acceptable condition until that time.
The Idaho Transportation Department will be closing Idaho Highway 21 from Grandjean to Banner Summit tonight due to a high avalanche risk.
A weather system bringing rain and snow is likely to trigger avalanches in this section of highway. The anticipated closure will begin at 6 p.m. on December 20. However, actual weather impacts may require an earlier closure. Motorists needing to use the roadway are advised to make the trip immediately or plan to use alternate routes.
The alternate route between the Treasure Valley and Stanley area is to travel east on I-84, exit in Mountain Home at Exit 95 to U.S. 20, then head north on Idaho Highway 75.
The ITD Avalanche Crew monitors the snowpack along this section of highway in order to forecast the risk of avalanches large enough to reach the roadway. This practice allows the Department to keep the highway open during the winter months with a reasonable confidence of safety for the traveling public. Previously, the Department closed this section of highway after the first avalanches hit the road.
The Avalanche Crew will continue to monitor the snowpack as a snowstorm hits the area and after. The highway will reopen when the snowpack has stabilized and the risk of active avalanches is reduced. Updates on closures and openings will be posted on 511. Future closures will be announced on 511 and ITD’s Twitter account.
There are sixty regular avalanche paths in this 11-mile stretch of ID-21. Avalanches can be triggered without warning. For this reason, there is no parking or stopping within this section of road during the winter.
Below is a gallery of activities the Avalanche Crew performs during the winter.
Sign at Banner Creek warning of avalanche zone
Members of the Avalanche Crew walk to the weather station at Banner Summit
Chantel Astorga grabs measurements at Banner Summit
Brent Jenkins measures the snowpack depth at Banner Summit
The weather station at Banner Summit collects valuable data used to forecast avalanche risk
Chantel tabulates and tracks snowpack and weather data to forecast avalanche risk
Avalanche tracking data
This sign reminds motorists to not stop in this dangerous stretch of ID-21
The Idaho Transportation Department will open four lanes of Chinden Boulevard from Locust Grove to Eagle Road to traffic this Friday, marking a major milestone in the ChindenWest Corridor project.
The widening of this section of Chinden from two lanes to four began this spring. This is the second segment of the ChindenWest project to finish this year. Idaho 16 to Linder Road was completed in September. Linder Road to Locust Grove will wrap up in 2021.
“With work in the corridor nearly complete, we appreciate the patience of the traveling public and nearby residents throughout construction,” said Daris Bruce, ITD District 3 Resident Engineer.
The ChindenWest corridor is a heavily-commuted section of U.S. 20/26 connecting I-84 and Eagle Road (ID-55). Widening to four lanes is the first of three phases for the corridor’s 2040 vision. Phase 2 will widen the highway to six lanes. Phase 3 will construct high-capacity intersections at key locations. No funding has been identified for those future phases at this time.
The project website, ITDprojects.org/ChindenWest, serves as a hub of information for the public, including videos that provide a window into the future. The one-stop-shop website includes detailed information about construction activities, anticipated traffic impacts, and the improvement designs.
