It is that time of year again! The time when more motorcyclists are out on Idaho roads. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and to mark the occasion the Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety (ICMS) is hosting a Motorcycle Awareness Rally on May 4.
Motorcycle riders are invited to join ICMS, the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS), and partners for the event on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Sandy Point in Lucky Peak State Park, 9723 ID-21, Boise, ID 83716. Motorcyclists can meet in the park starting at 10 a.m. An escorted ride from Sandy Point to the Idaho State Capitol starts at 1 p.m. Following the ride, the Christian Motorcycle Association is hosting a barbeque at Ann Morrison Park, 1000 S Americana Blvd, Boise, ID 83706.
“We want to remind the drivers out there that they are sharing the road with motorcyclists, who are more exposed than people in cars. Looking twice for motorcycles can save someone’s life,” explained ICMS rally organizer Lane Triplett.
According to OHS data, in 2022 there were 529 motorcycle-related crashes, and 29 motorcyclists were killed. Most fatalities that year were clustered in the months of June, July, and August. Drivers can help protect motorcyclists by:
Checking your blind spots. Motorcycles are small compared to other vehicles, so don’t rely on mirrors alone.
Always use your turn signals. Signaling helps motorcyclists anticipate traffic flow.
Look twice. Sun and rain glare can make motorcycles hard to see. Snow, rain, and fog can obscure your vision too. Always check twice for bikes.
Motorcyclists can protect themselves in the following ways:
Wear brightly colored, reflective clothing.
Ride with headlights on.
Establish lane positions that increase visibility – don’t ride in blind spots.
Enhance your skills. Idaho STAR (Skills Training Advantage for Riders) has classes across the state and for all experience levels.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), in conjunction with Ada County Highway District and the Boise Valley Railroad, will close Milwaukee Street from Westpark Street to Franklin Road April 26 through April 29. The full closure is necessary to replace the railroad crossing in the area.
The Milwaukee crossing was installed in 2006, and the last major maintenance of the crossing surface was completed more than ten years ago. This construction will bring the railroad crossing level with the roadway, creating a smoother driving experience for the traveling public.
“There are two trains that use these tracks every day, and they are vital for Idaho’s commerce. In order to replace the crossing quickly, a full closure is needed,” said Blaine Schwendiman, the Rail-Highway Crossing Manager for ITD.
Drivers will still be able to access businesses during the closure.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will resume repaving on U.S. Highway 95 between the Port of Entry and its junction with State Highway 55 west of Marsing. Work will improve and extend the life of the roadway. Construction will begin Monday and is expected to finish this summer.
During construction motorists can expect:
One lane open at all times.
Daytime and nighttime work.
A temporary signal or a pilot car guiding traffic through the construction zone.
Wait times of around 15 minutes.
Speed limit reductions to 55 mph.
Width restrictions in place.
ITD began construction on US-95 in July 2023 and completed repaving from the Oregon state line to the Port of Entry. As a part of the project, ITD also:
Installed new curbing and guardrails.
Updated signage and road striping.
Those who are interested in learning more about the project are invited to sign up for email updates by visiting itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/95repaving.
This is a map to show the US-95 repaving project that will resume on April 22 2024
Construction season is a time that brings mixed feelings for a lot of Idaho drivers. While road construction leads to improved roads that benefit all Idahoans, work zones can be bothersome and even dangerous if drivers aren’t paying attention.
Today the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is joining with states across the country for National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). From April 15-19, we raise awareness for the start of construction season and encourage safe driving through work zones.
“Driving cautiously in highway work zones helps families,” said ITD’s Chief Deputy/Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney. “Travelers, workers and their family members benefit when we reduce crash risks by safely driving with awareness. Employees are focused on road or bridge tasks to help improve the quality of life for Idahoans, and driver alertness near road work is how we help them. We encourage being an engaged driver to keep everyone work zone safe and for all of us to get home each day.”
Driving engaged, free from distractions and actively scanning the road ahead, is extra important in work zones due to narrowed lanes, traffic pattern shifts, and uneven road surfaces.
What many people fail to recognize is most people killed in work zone crashes are drivers and passengers. Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) data shows that from 2018-2022 there were 3,315 crashes in work zones in Idaho. During that period 32 people were killed, all of them were in vehicles.
“When you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, it is essential to remember that the workers in construction zones have families and friends who love them, and they have entire lives they’re living too,” said the Idaho Association of General Contractors in a statement. “Driving recklessly is selfish, and we all must do our part to ensure the safety of the hardworking members of our community out on the roads.”
In Southwest Idaho, there are several construction zones ongoing or planned to start this summer. Drivers should be aware of the following areas:
Advice for drivers as work zone season begins across the state:
Use Idaho 511 to check your route for work zones before you depart.
Slow down while traveling through work zones, paying close attention to signs and signals.
Pay close attention to road workers and flaggers – give them extra room, always slow when approaching them, and be prepared to stop if necessary.
Be aware of the other vehicles around you, including other cars and commercial vehicles that have larger blind spots and longer stopping distances.
Rear-end crashes are common in work zones – obey all speeds, avoid distractions, and always maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
Wear your seatbelt. While you may be driving carefully you can’t control the behavior of other drivers.
The Idaho Transportation Department will close State Highway 16 between Johns Avenue and Cherry Lane in Emmett this Saturday.
The SH-16 overnight closure will begin at 7 p.m. April 13 and reopen to traffic the following day. The closure is necessary in order to replace an irrigation pipe beneath the highway. Traffic control will be in place with a detour routing traffic onto Johns Avenue and Cherry Lane.
Drivers can utilize the Idaho 511 system by phone, online, or through the app for updated closure information.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting two open houses next week to present and gather feedback on alternative alignments for State Highway 44 from Interstate 84 to Star Road. ITD will collect feedback from the public both at the in-person open house and via an online survey.
Details for the open houses are below:
Wednesday, April 3, at Star Fire Protection District at11665 W State Street, Ste. B in Star – 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
Thursday, April 4, at Middleton Middle School at 511 W Main Street in Middleton – 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
The same information will be available at both in-person open houses. A virtual open house with identical information will also be available from April 3 through April 17 at: https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh44pel.
“We encourage everyone to join us at an upcoming open house to share their feedback. Your input is crucial as we make informed decisions to advance this project, meeting both the present needs and future travel demands in this growing area,” Project Manager Mark Wasdahl said.
In this initial study phase, ITD is implementing the Federal Highway Administration’s Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) process to identify and screen transportation improvements. Once improvements have been chosen, the project will transition into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting two open houses next week to present and gather feedback on alternative alignments for State Highway 44 from Interstate 84 to Star Road. ITD will collect feedback from the public both at the in-person open house and via an online survey.
Details for the open houses are below:
Wednesday, April 3, at Star Fire Protection District at11665 W State Street, Ste. B in Star – 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
Thursday, April 4, at Middleton Middle School at 511 W Main Street in Middleton – 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
The same information will be available at both in-person open houses. A virtual open house with identical information will also be available from April 3 through April 17 at: https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh44pel.
“We encourage everyone to join us at an upcoming open house to share their feedback. Your input is crucial as we make informed decisions to advance this project, meeting both the present needs and future travel demands in this growing area,” Project Manager Mark Wasdahl said.
In this initial study phase, ITD is implementing the Federal Highway Administration’s Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) process to identify and screen transportation improvements. Once improvements have been chosen, the project will transition into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase.
Sixteen, 96-foot girders that weigh 77,963 pounds each will be transported March 13 and 14 to begin building the Interstate 84, State Highway 16 Interchange as part of the Leading Idaho program.
Six bridges along SH-16 are being built with girders made in Caldwell. In total, Contech Engineered Solutions will build 57 girders and the retaining walls for the I-84, SH-16 Interchange. The bridge supports will be used at Ten Mile Creek, McMillan Overpass, Quasi Place, Five Mile Creek, Cherry Lane and I-84.
SH-16 is a testament to the job creation and economic opportunities that come from road construction projects.
Contech employs 52 people at their Caldwell location. The local company says road construction projects like this have a positive effect on many Idaho businesses.
“The materials to make these are local. The bar we buy is from a local supplier. The concrete and aggregate come locally from Idaho. We try to support the local community as much as possible. We are very proud of the work we do here,” Contech Engineered Solutions Sales Manager Lee Wegner said.
The multi-year project encompasses more than four miles of new highway from I-84 to U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard). Beyond the jobs that come from building a new highway, the project creates better connectivity to Gem County, promising a future of increased accessibility and growth.
This project is funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as a part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program. This initiative allows ITD to address rapid growth and aging infrastructure in critical corridors throughout the state.
Contech is also constructing girders for the Simco Road Bridge near Mountain Home and the bridge under SH-55 in the Avimor development.
At 10:25 a.m. MST local time, an earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale occurred just north of Smiths Ferry, prompting an immediate response from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). To ensure public safety, ITD is doing a thorough assessment of roads, culverts, and bridges in the affected vicinity.
ITD’s bridge inspectors and maintenance crews will be in the area assessing all bridges and roads, including the most photographed bridge in Idaho, the Rainbow Bridge. While there are currently no indications of damage, there has been some small rockfall on the roadway.
In the event of any damage resulting from the earthquake, ITD will provide prompt notification to the public.
ITD wants to reassure the community that every measure is being taken to assess and address potential safety risks from this earthquake, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to maintaining a secure transportation network for all.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is beginning construction on the I-84, Karcher Interchange in Nampa on Monday as part of the Leading Idaho program. Improvements will increase safety and mobility at the interchange and along State Highway 55 (SH-55)/ Karcher Road between the westbound ramps and Sundance Road. Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2025.
Motorists will see overnight lane closures on I-84 starting Monday, Feb. 19. Crews will shift traffic to create a work zone and begin building the third lane on the overpass bridge.
During the project, motorists can expect:
All lanes open during the day.
I-84 overnight closures for traffic shifts, bridge work and girder placement.
Major work will take place at night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. with one lane open in each direction on Karcher Road.
Bike lanes and sidewalks in the project area will be detoured.
Access to local businesses will be open.
Speed limits will be reduced.
“The Karcher Interchange’s design life has been outpaced by the huge amounts of growth Nampa has seen recently,” Resident Engineer Andrew Linder said. “The work on the interchange will account for this growth by adding capacity and improving safety. ITD is making every effort to minimize impacts to businesses in the area and the traveling public.”
Improvements will include:
Reconfiguring westbound and eastbound off-ramps to improve safety and traffic flow, and increase capacity.
Widening the interchange bridge to provide a dedicated lane for the westbound off-ramp traffic to travel westbound on Karcher Road (SH-55).
Adjusting signals at ramp intersections, Caldwell Blvd and Cassia St.
Adding a third westbound lane and dedicated right turn lane at the intersection of Karcher Road (SH-55) and Caldwell Boulevard.
Adding a pedestrian flashing beacon at the I-84 eastbound on-ramp and widening some sidewalks within project limits.
Repaving Karcher Road (SH-55) from the westbound on-ramps to Middleton Road.
This project is funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as a part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho TECM program. This initiative allows ITD to address rapid growth and aging infrastructure in critical corridors throughout the state.
