Overnight lane reductions next week on the Perrine Bridge

On Tuesday (Jan. 17) crews will close lanes on the Perrine Bridge to replace luminaire wiring. To help lessen impacts to commuters, work will take place after 9:00 p.m.

“This work is dependent on the weather and may need to be rescheduled if inclement conditions occur,” ITD Project Manager John Keifer stated. “Crews should be able to move quickly, and we anticipate all work being completed in one night.”

While workers are on the bridge, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction.

Motorists are advised to drive engaged and watch for crews and equipment in the area.

Eastbound lane closure next week on I-84 near Declo for new POE

On Tuesday (Jan. 10), eastbound Interstate 84 will be reduced to one lane between mileposts 217 and 220. This closure will allow workers to relocate concrete barriers closer to the construction zone for the new Port of Entry (POE) facility east of Declo.

“These concrete barriers help create a buffer between vehicles traveling on the interstate and workers,” ITD Project Manager John Keifer said. “They play a key role in helping to safeguard our crews, but it’s important that motorists remember to drive engaged each time they get behind the wheel as well.”

Moving the barriers is expected to be complete in one day. Both westbound lanes will remain open while this work is underway.

The new POE location will facilitate more efficient trucking operations through advanced technology and will meet current federal compliance standards.

Elements of the new facility will include: new on- and off-ramps, support of utility infrastructure, scales with weigh-in-motion and automated vehicle identification technologies, video equipment, luminaries, signage and operations office buildings.

Motorists are advised to slow down, drive engaged and pay attention to signage in the area. Individuals can also check 511.idaho.gov for more information on road conditions and restrictions throughout the state.

Knife River is the general contractor on this project.

Eight snowplows hit this season; ITD calls on drivers to be more cautious

Side-by-side images of a disabled plow on the side of the road.

So far this season across Idaho, drivers have caused eight crashes with snowplows. As more winter weather moves across the state, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) wants to remind drivers how to be safe around snowplows.

1. Never pass a plow on the right. Plows have a smaller wing plow that extends from the right side of the vehicle, which can be hard to see when the snow is flying. Drivers passing on the right and hitting the wing plow is the most common plow-related crash.
2. Give plows room to work and avoid their blind spots.
3. Be patient. The safest place to be is behind the plow.
4. Plows often work in tandem to clear multiple lanes. Never get in between the tandem plows.
5. If you are involved in a crash or stopped on the side of the road for any reason, please remain in your vehicle for your safety and for the safety of our plow operators.

The seventh and eighth crashes happened today in North Idaho, and both involved tandem plows. This morning on Interstate 90 in Coeur d’Alene, a driver got between two plows as they merged onto the highway. The driver then hit the brakes, forcing the second plow off the road to avoid a collision. Then around lunchtime on U.S. Highway 95 south of Athol, a driver passed the first plow on the left and then struck the second while trying to pass on the right.

Both plows are now out of service for the current storm.

“This issue affects everyone, not just the people involved in the crash. Every plow that is hit causes a domino effect making conditions worse,” said Operations Foreman Shannon Thornton. “There are fewer plows on the road to deal with the snow that is still falling, and our crews have to spend precious time recovering equipment instead of plowing.”

Last winter, there were 11 plow strikes, an increase from years past and a number that ITD does not want to repeat. Please be careful driving and mindful of our plows. Check 511.idaho.gov or the Idaho 511 App for road conditions before traveling. For more winter driving tips, visit itd.idaho.gov/travel.

*For real-time updates on plow strikes, visit ITD’s Facebook or Twitter pages.

The Dos and Don’ts of driving near snow plows

Plow clearing SH-6 near White Pine Campground

Snow has already fallen in the state, so drivers should get ready to drive with plows this winter. Talking about sharing the road with plows is really more of a discussion on what you shouldn’t do.

What shouldn’t you do?

Don’t pass. The road behind a plow is always better than the road in front of a plow. And all the snow, rock and other debris comes out of a plow at a high rate of speed––if you pass and try to drive through all that, the weight of the snow could force your vehicle off the road or break windows.

Of course, that’s assuming you don’t run into the plow while attempting to pass it.

Plows trucks weigh up to 58,000 pounds and sport not one, but two, plows. Everyone is familiar with the plow on the front, which is 12 feet long and takes up a whole lane. People tend to forget about the second, smaller plow positioned on the right side of the truck. It’s called a wing plow.

That’s the one folks run into. When plows are pushing snow, it comes up over the top of the plow and obscures all the lighting and flags. Again, plows weigh up to 14 times the average vehicle, so running into them is going to have an impact.

While not illegal to pass a plow, it’s recommended you never do so on the right side because of the wing plow. Law enforcement can and will cite drivers who act recklessly or carelessly and pass when it isn’t safe.

Operators will often work in pairs, especially on multi-lane roadways like freeways, to get snow pulled from the far left side all the way to the shoulder. Don’t try to pass several plows at once or drive between them.

Plows are large vehicles with blind spots, even when not working in blizzard conditions or pushing snow. Stay out of their blind spots.

If you’re going to pass, it’s important to consider where the snow is going. Our drivers typically push snow to the right, but in some cases, they will push snow into the median.

Sometimes there isn’t room to push snow into the median, or there aren’t enough operators available to tandem plow. You may see a plow working by itself on a freeway, pushing snow into the fast lane on the first lap and then moving it all the way off the roadway on a second pass. There may be enough room to pass safely on the right – but first slow down and observe where the snow coming out of the plow lands on the road before you make your decision.

When in doubt, don’t pass.

What should you do?

Drive for conditions. The posted speed limit is set based on ideal conditions, so in winter you’ll have to slow down. It’s on the driver to determine a safe speed.
Maintain at least a three-second following distance. On slick roads, you’ll need more time to react and stop if necessary.
Move over. Any time emergency vehicles—which include tow trucks—are flashing their lights, you are legally required to slow down and move over into another lane if possible.
Leave early. Giving yourself extra time will make it that much easier to make smart decisions.
Download 511. No need to guess what your route looks like – download the 511 app or visit 511.idaho.gov to see road conditions and if there are any reported crashes.

As you head out on the road this winter, keep these safety tips in mind so that you and our plow drivers can make it home safely.

Lighting upgrades next Thursday night to close lanes on the Perrine Bridge

Next Thursday night (Nov. 17), crews will close lanes on the Perrine Bridge to replace overhead lighting. To help lessen impacts to commuters, work will take place after 9:00 p.m.

Work is part of a larger project that is addressing important structures and sections of the highway system throughout the region.

“These new luminaires have an improved design that will extend their life expectancy,” ITD Project Manager John Keifer stated. “We are upgrading multiple lights this year and will continue to address other areas in South-central Idaho with future projects.”

Click here for a photo of the bridge.

While crews are on site, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in either direction.

“We anticipate crews will be able to complete all of the work in one night,” Keifer said.

Motorists are advised to drive engaged and watch for crews and equipment in the area.

Public invited to open house for State Highway 75 improvements in Blaine County

Image of State Highway 75 in Blaine County

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites members of the public to attend a public meeting next Tuesday to review preliminary design plans for segments of State Highway 75 between Bellevue and Timber Way. This project is funded by Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.

“Our design plans build upon input from stakeholders dating back to 2008, so we’re not starting from scratch but rather updating our previous findings,” ITD Project Manager Mark Campbell stated. “Over the last year, we have refreshed traffic projections and our safety analysis and are currently assessing potential impacts to social and environmental resources.”

Proposed plans are too extensive to build in one project, so this effort will create shovel-ready projects that can be constructed as soon as funding is identified. Specific design elements under consideration for future projects include widening the highway, improving select intersections, and evaluating pedestrian/bike underpasses and transit pullouts.

The open house will be held in Hailey on Tuesday, November 15, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Campus Building at 1050 Fox Acres Road. Individuals are welcome to drop in anytime to review displays, speak with members of the project team, and provide comments on the project.

There will also be a self-guided online meeting option for those who are not able to attend. The online meeting will be available from November 15 to December 15 on the project website at itdprojects.org/projects/timmerman-to-timber-way-project.

“The comments we receive will help us refine potential design solutions,” Campbell said. “We encourage people to find the most convenient way to comment on the preliminary design options we’re presenting.”

The Leading Idaho initiative allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and critical infrastructure needs today that would otherwise take many years to fund.

For more information on the project, to provide comment, or to reach a member of the project team, please visit the project website, email info@sh75.com, or call (760) 831-6227.

Eastbound lane closure this Friday on I-84 near Declo

This Friday (Oct. 28), crews will close one eastbound lane on I-84 to place concrete barrier along the shoulder. Placement of the barrier is necessary to protect workers during construction of the new Port of Entry (POE) facility east of Declo.

Approximately three miles will be impacted with work taking place between milepost 217 and 2020. Both westbound lanes will remain open.

“This closure is expected to be short in duration,” ITD Project Manager John Keifer said. “We anticipate that work will be completed in one day, but it may extend into Monday if necessary.”

The new POE location on I-84 will facilitate more efficient trucking operations through advanced technology and will meet current federal compliance standards.

Elements of the new facility will include: new on and off ramps, support of utility infrastructure, scales with weigh-in-motion and automated vehicle identification technologies, video equipment, luminaries, signage and operations office buildings.

Drivers are advised to slow down, drive engaged and pay attention to signage in the area. Individuals can also check 511.idaho.gov for more information on road conditions and restrictions throughout the state.

Knife River is the general contractor on this project.

Third community discussion to be held in person and online for SH-75 project in Ketchum

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites members of the community to review and provide input on design plans for State Highway 75 between Elkhorn Road and River Street. Individuals can join members of the project team in person on Oct. 11 or participate online from Oct. 11 – 25.

The in-person meeting will be held at the Limelight Hotel (151 Main St. S, Ketchum) on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Community members can drop in anytime to view project information, see design plans and speak with the project team.

The self-guided online discussion will be open from Oct. 11 – 25 at itdprojects.org/projects/Idaho-75. The online meeting will include a short welcome video as well as project information and design plans. Participants will have the opportunity to provide input and see comments from other community members.

This project aims to increase capacity and improve safety along the highway in response to growth and development in recent years that has increased congestion. Plans include widening the highway between Elkhorn Road and River Street, rebuilding the Trail Creek Bridge and improving drainage and other infrastructure.

ITD received feedback from the public during two other community discussions in 2020 and 2021. This will be the third community discussion for this project.

“We are happy to be moving forward with design plans for each of the three segments in this corridor,” ITD Project Manager Nathan Jerke stated. “We’re grateful for all those who have participated in our previous community discussions and we look forward to meeting with the community again.”

Comments may be submitted via the project website or by calling (208) 886-7809, emailing nathan.jerke@itd.idaho.gov or sending mail to the Idaho Transportation Department (216 S Date St., Shoshone, ID 83352) at the attention of Nathan Jerke.

Rest area on westbound I-84 near Bliss to close indefinitely starting Monday

On Monday (Sept. 12), the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will close the westbound Interstate 84 Bliss rest area until further notice due to a damaged waterline.

“We have been working to fix the line but have determined that more extensive repairs are needed,” ITD Maintenance Foreman Phil Etchart explained.

A timeframe for how long the rest area will be closed is not currently known.

“Our crews work hard to maintain rest areas for the benefit of travelers,” ITD Facility Manager Shawn Webb stated. “Our goal is to repair the line and reopen this location as soon as possible.”

The Bliss rest area facility located eastbound on I-84 will not be impacted and will remain open.

The statuses of rest areas can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov.

Work on the Perrine Bridge to begin next week

Image of the Perrine Bridge near Twin Falls

Drivers can expect lane restrictions and possible delays near Twin Falls to begin next week as crews from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) clean the deck and perform routine biannual inspections on the Perrine Bridge.

On Sunday, Sept. 11, crews will begin overnight cleaning operations on the bridge deck. This work is expected to continue through Thursday, Sept. 15, between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in either direction while cleaning is underway.

“When it is possible and safe to do so, we perform work at night to help lessen congestion in the area,” ITD Maintenance Foreman Chuck Sharp stated.

From Monday, Sept. 19, through Thursday, Sept. 22, crews will walk the arch and deploy ITD’s under bridge inspection truck along the bridge deck.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in either direction while crew members are utilizing the inspection truck. Work will occur at non-peak hours to help reduce congestion and is expected to follow the below schedule:

– Northbound Right Lane Closure: Monday – Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– Southbound Right Lane Closure: Wednesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The left northbound lane will also be intermittently closed for 15 minutes at a time each day while workers access and exit the lower half of the structure.

Pedestrian access may be subject to short restrictions during portions of the inspection. Motorists should consider using an alternate route between the hours listed above. The schedule is subject to change pending weather conditions.

Click here for a photo of the bridge.

“The Perrine Bridge is a vital structure in the region and serves as a connector for thousands of motorists each day,” ITD Bridge Inspector Amy Bower said. “Inspections and routine maintenance projects play an important role in ensuring the bridge’s longevity for many years to come.”

Drivers are urged to exercise caution near the work zone and watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the patience and cooperation of those driving through the area.