Category: Southwest

The Idaho Transportation Department has closed the Sheep Creek Rest Area on U.S. Highway 95 south of Riggins due to debris and spilled materials from a vehicle fire last night.

The rest area will remain closed until specialists can be contracted to remove an estimated 60 to 80 gallons of oil and engine fluids, which could take up to several days.

“We are closing the rest area to keep traffic from tracking the spilled materials onto the highway and creating slick road conditions,” Engineering Manager Bob Schumacher said. “Our buildings appear undamaged. We will reopen the rest area after completing assessments.”

The closest rest area for southbound travelers would be near Council and for northbound travelers near Winchester. Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov for updates on this closure.

An interim operational plan is now in place at the intersection of State Highway 16 and Substation Road in Emmett, following a crash in October. 

On Oct. 16, a large truck collided with the traffic signal at this busy intersection, causing significant damage to both the foundation and the electrical conduit of the signal. As a result, the intersection has now reopened with an interim traffic pattern to ensure safety and mobility until the permanent repairs are made.

Under this interim operational plan, stop signs have been installed to facilitate traffic flow. Drivers can make the following movements:

• Westbound SH-16 to Substation Road (right turn)
• Eastbound SH-16 to Substation Road (left turn)

Drivers on Substation Road can only turn right onto the highway. Those wanting to cross the highway or go left will be detoured to South John Avenue. Rerouting traffic to a signalized intersection is best to mitigate safety risks at the intersection.

The Idaho Transportation Department anticipates that these interim measures will remain in place until late November. This timeframe will allow for the ordering of new parts, as well as the demolition and reconstruction of the foundation, and to restore the electrical connections.

ITD appreciates the public’s patience and encourages drivers to always check their route at 511.idaho.gov.

The Idaho Transportation Department will close the Interstate 84 westbound on- and off-ramps at the 10^th Avenue Interchange beginning Monday evening. These nighttime closures will allow crews to work on the storm sewer under 10th Avenue and the westbound ramps.

Here’s what to expect:

• The 10^th Avenue westbound on-ramp will close on Monday and Tuesday nights (Nov. 4 & 5) from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• The 10^th Avenue westbound off-ramp will close on Tuesday and Wednesday nights (Nov. 5 & 6) from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Flaggers will direct traffic on 10^th Avenue at nighttime under the 10^th Avenue bridge from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• During this work motorists will drive on a gravel surface on 10^th Avenue.
• Detours will be in place for ramp closures. Click here to view detour maps.

Motorists can expect intermittent local road closures, lane closures and ramp closures throughout the duration of the project. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2027.

For more information about the project and to sign up for updates:

• Visit: itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/I-84-corridor
• Text: Click here or text 84CORRIDOR to 1-866-483-8422
• Email: Click here or email 84CORRIDOR@itd.idaho.gov
• Call: (208) 334-8002

ITD values the safety of crews and motorists. Please use caution when driving through the work zone. To plan your route in advance, visit 511.idaho.gov.

Cultural discoveries on a highway construction project in northern Idaho that changes the narrative for Native American heritage in the area, and the state’s first wildlife overpass, were the catalysts for a pair of awards Oct. 31 from the nation’s premiere transportation governing body.

The awards were presented to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) at the annual meeting Thursday of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“These two AASHTO national awards again prove that our employees are fantastic,” confirmed ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney. “The SH-21 Lucky Peak wildlife crossing is a great partnering example, and the U.S. 95 McArthur Lake Bridge showcased excellent Tribal teamwork. Partnerships solved wildlife safety with cultural preservation success.”

The cultural award was received by Jyl Wheaton of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho (KTOI) and ITD Project Manager on the construction, CarrieAnn Hewitt.

The project itself was fairly straightforward – an $11M project in Boundary County that rebuilt an existing two-lane section, adding wider shoulders, and replacing a box culvert over Deep Creek, which provides an outlet to McArthur Lake. The existing width-restricted box culvert was replaced with a 300-foot span bridge to provide safe animal passage under the highway. During excavation, tribal artifacts were found, requiring an orchestrated approach to planning for the preservation of these key cultural resources. A one-of-a-kind partnership was forged between ITD, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, and contractors to preserve the rich history of the area’s indigenous people. One of the discoveries was a game-changer in terms of traditional thought. Native American artifacts were found that pre-dated the earliest-known timelines – these artifacts showed that the earliest human existence in the upper Columbia River Basin came some 4,000 years earlier than previously thought!

ITD’s Scott Rudel managed the wildlife overpass project, built on State Highway 21 just east of Boise. The $7.5M project constructed a 150-foot long wildlife overpass and more than a mile of big-game fencing parallel to the highway to guide animals to the overpass, significantly reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions on this busy highway section. Improving motorist safety and protecting the well-being of residents and commuters, along with wildlife alike benefits the traveling public, hunting and recreational heritage, and helps sustain the benefits our valuable wildlife resources and public lands provide. ITD wildlife-vehicle crash safety data and Dept. of Fish and Game GPS data determined the location of the overpass by finding where most migrating mule deer and elk crossed the highway. This is the next step in the long-range vision to promote safety, mobility, and economic opportunity along SH-21 between Lucky Peak and Idaho City. The goal is to reduce wildlife collisions in the area by 80%.

The AASHTO President’s Transportation Awards are considered the highest honor for state departments of transportation. It is proof positive that ITD consistently produces great projects on behalf of the taxpayers of Idaho. The two awards mark 23 President’s Awards received since 2014.

The Idaho Transportation Department’s avalanche team is back in Lowman preparing for the upcoming winter season. The team recently conducted an aerial assessment to evaluate changes in the corridor caused by the Wapiti Fire.

“The aerial survey gave us a clearer understanding of the risks,” ITD Avalanche Team Leader Bill Nicholson said. “We feel reassured as it pertains to avalanches. However, the fire has increased the potential for mudslides and debris flows. Our team is ready, and we remain focused on keeping the highway safe for travelers just like we do every year.”

Another difference this winter brings is La Niña. The National Weather Service predicts colder temperatures and increased precipitation for the region. Excessive moisture in areas impacted by wildfires could result in a heightened risk of flooding and slides.

ITD’s avalanche team is stationed in Lowman, 20 miles from an avalanche-prone section of State Highway 21 that spans from Grandjean to Banner Summit. Every winter, the team monitors conditions and makes the decision on when to close roads due to avalanche danger.

There are more than 70 avalanche paths along SH-21. The ITD avalanche team also closely monitors U.S. Highway 12 near the Montana border.

There are only three highways in the United States that fall under the ‘High’ category in the Avalanche Hazard Index: SH-21 in Lowman, State Highway 210 in Utah, and U.S. Highway 550 in Colorado.

Franklin Road will be closed between McDermott and Star roads in Nampa on Monday and Tuesday. This closure is necessary for crews to safely install overhead sign structures near the future State Highway 16 extension.

The closure will begin at 7 a.m. on Monday and continue until 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Motorists are advised to plan for extra travel time and use an alternate route, as traffic will be detoured to Cherry Lane. Access to businesses and residences in the area will remain open throughout the closure.

Before traveling, drivers are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for current road conditions and updates on their route. For more information on the SH-16 project, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh16corridor.

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin striping State Highway 55 today. As crews work their way north, drivers are urged to be patient and avoid passing during active painting operations.

The striping, which will cover the stretch from Horseshoe Bend to New Meadows, is expected to take up to four days to complete.  During this time, a convoy of vehicles consisting of pace cars, a paint truck, and a crash cushion trailer will work together to ensure the safety of both the crew and the public. This line of vehicles will be moving slowly as they paint the roadway markings to ensure they last.

All of Idaho’s highways are painted at least once each year, with some areas receiving a second coat. This year, ITD will stripe more than 3,000 lane miles across Southwest Idaho. Drivers should exercise caution when following striping trucks, as driving over wet paint can strip away the reflective beads, reducing the visibility of road markings at night.

The Snake River Rest Area, located on eastbound Interstate 84, just two miles from Ontario, serves as a vital first stop for many travelers entering Idaho. Unfortunately, the rest area has been the target of repeated vandalism, with three separate incidents occurring in September alone.

The recent acts of vandalism include a shattered window, a broken glass door, and the destruction of a child changing area. This rest stop not only provides essential public restroom facilities but also welcomes visitors to Idaho with its visitor center.

“These facilities are here to serve travelers, but each act of vandalism makes it harder to maintain the level of service we strive to provide. If you see someone acting suspiciously or damaging property, please speak up,” Facilities Operations Manager John Hall said.

The Idaho Transportation Department urges anyone who witnesses vandalism to contact the Payette County Sheriff’s Office.