Construction at Exit 211 on I-84 in Heyburn has begun

Drone shot of the Heyburn Interchange on I-84 before construction

Construction to upgrade the Heyburn Interchange (Exit 211) is scheduled to begin Monday (March 11), adding another work zone on Interstate 84 as work began at the nearby Burley Interchange (Exit 208) in late February. Both multi-year projects include replacing the interchanges, with funding coming from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program.

The interchanges were built in the 1960s. Feedback from open houses held in 2022 and 2023 led to the selection of new designs that are safer and capable of handling more traffic.

On Monday, crews will mobilize into the area and begin setting up the work zone. Nighttime lane closure are not anticipated until early April when they place barrier and start removing vegetation in the median.

Upgrading the interchange will take until late 2026 and is expected to cost $90.1 million. Drivers can generally expect:

  • All lanes on I-84 will be open during the day. Drivers will be shifted many times to run on temporary pavement to keep traffic flowing.
  • Nighttime lane closures on I-84 as needed.
  • Nighttime ramp closures as needed.
  • Lane closures and traffic shifts on State Highway 24 where it crosses underneath the interstate.

The new interchange will be shifted to the east and feature longer ramps to access I-84 and two new signals to control ramp traffic. The existing loop ramps will be removed, and the I-84 bridges will be replaced. View the detailed design here. Download a drone shot of the interchange before construction.

This year, the contractor will work on building temporary lanes in the median to shift traffic onto, start reconstructing westbound lanes with concrete and form embankments for future ramps.

Nighttime lane closures initially anticipated at the Burley Interchange in late February have been delayed by weather. To be alerted when those lane closures begin, visit the project website to sign up for email updates. Live traffic impacts can always be checked at 511.idaho.gov.

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

Construction resumes next week on the I-84 Kimberly Interchange

Image of I-84/ID-50 Kimberly Interchange

Next week work will resume at the Interstate 84 Kimberly Interchange as crews continue to rebuild it to handle more traffic.

Drivers should plan for daytime lane closures on I-84 as early as Monday (March 11), pending weather conditions.

Traffic will remain shifted to the newly constructed northbound lanes on the bridge going over the interstate. Over the next two weeks, crews will demolish the southbound lanes of the overpass.

Lane closures on both I-84 and SH-50 will remain in place for several months, even after bridge demolition is complete. Throughout construction drivers can expect reduced speed limits, traffic shifts and short-duration ramp closures.

Reconstruction of the interchange includes additional space for turning lanes, sidewalks and a pedestrian fence on the SH-50 bridge. It is also designed to provide extra room for potential future expansion of I-84 underneath the bridge, though nothing is planned at this time.

Work began in June 2023, and since then crews have rebuilt half of the SH-50 bridge and part of all the ramps as well as repaved SH-50 near the bridge. For more information visit I-84/SH-50: Kimberly Interchange | ITD Projects (idaho.gov).

Construction should wrap up in the fall of 2024. Travelers are urged to download the 511 app or visit 511.idaho.gov to stay up to date on traffic impacts.

 

Construction at Exit 208 on I-84 begins with nighttime lane closures

View of the Burley Interchange from the freeway

Construction to upgrade the Burley Interchange (Exit 208) on Interstate 84 is set to begin next week, and the nearby Heyburn Interchange (Exit 211) is scheduled to begin soon after. Both multi-year projects include replacing the interchanges, with funding coming from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program.

Both interchanges were built in the 1960s. Feedback from open houses held in 2022 and 2023 led to the selection of new designs that are safer and capable of handling more traffic.

Work will begin at the Burley Interchange on Monday, Feb. 26, with crews bringing in equipment and setting up the work zone. Drivers should plan for nighttime lane closures while they place barrier and start removing vegetation in the median.

Upgrading the interchange will take until late 2026 and is expected to cost $85.1 million. Drivers can generally expect:

  • All lanes on I-84 will be open during the day. Traffic will be shifted many times to run on temporary pavement to keep traffic flowing.
  • Nighttime lane closures on I-84 as needed.
  • Nighttime ramp closures as needed.
  • Traffic shifts on State Highway 27 crossing over the interstate.

The new interchange will feature longer ramps to access I-84 and two new signals to control ramp traffic. The two existing westbound on-ramps will be consolidated to one ramp, and all bridges will be replaced. View the detailed design here.

This year the contractor will work on building temporary lanes in the median to shift traffic onto, start reconstructing westbound lanes with concrete and forming embankments for future ramps. Crews will also begin to replace the westbound bridge over the canal to the west of the interchange and the northbound bridge for SH-27 traffic over the interstate.

To stay up to date, visit the project website to sign up for email updates. Live traffic impacts can always be checked at 511.idaho.gov.

Construction at the nearby Heyburn Interchange is expected to start in mid-March.

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

ITD extends online comment period for SH-75 Bellevue to Broadway Run project

Open house guests look at exhibits

The Idaho Transportation Department has extended the online comment period for a project to improve State Highway 75 between Bellevue and Broadway Run. Community members are encouraged to visit the online open house and submit feedback until Feb. 28 at SH-75: Bellevue to Broadway Run | ITD Projects (idaho.gov).

Plans include widening SH-75 to two lanes in each direction and improving specific intersections between McKercher Boulevard and Timber Way, and between Birch Street and Fox Acres Road. Plans also include improvements to the Gannett Road intersection and transit improvements at the Broadway Run intersection.

ITD hosted an in-person open house on Jan. 30 in Hailey and originally planned to close the comment period today.

“We had an outstanding turnout at the open house in January with 180 people showing up,” Project Manager Mark Campbell said. “We want to ensure all community members have the opportunity learn about the project and send in their feedback, so we’re accepting comments for another two weeks.”

Final design plans are expected to be completed later this year. Details about the project are available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh75bellevue.

Construction to improve the I-84 South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168) begins

Stormy day over the South Jerome Interchange on I-84

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is beginning construction on Feb. 12 to replace the South Jerome Interchange on I-84 (Exit 168). This multi-year project includes upgrading the current interchange, installing new traffic signals, adding a sidewalk and bike lane to the Lincoln Avenue Bridges and improving local roads.

In 2024, crews will begin improvements to Bob Barton Road, East Frontage Road North and Lincoln Avenue. Flagging is expected to occur on Bob Barton Road the week of Feb. 12 so crews can begin irrigation work, and the road will close for approximately three months starting in early March so it can be repaved. East Frontage Road North will also be closed in late February.

During the rest of 2024, crews will build temporary eastbound and westbound off-ramps, which will be used when constructing the permanent off-ramps. Work will also begin on the new bridges, the eastbound off-ramp and the westbound on-ramp.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Most work will occur Monday – Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Intermittent nighttime closures on I-84 will be necessary for bridge work, girder placement and traffic shifts.
  • Traffic shifts and ramp changes will occur.
  • Road closures will occur on Lincoln Avenue, Bob Barton Road and East Frontage Road North in March. Detours will be in place.
  • Speed limits will be reduced.

The South Jerome Interchange was originally built in 1966 and has reached the end of its design life. The new interchange will increase capacity and improve safety on the interchange to serve South-central Idaho for years to come.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2026. To sign up for project updates:

Western Construction, Inc. is the contractor for this $54.4 million project.

Lane closures expected on the Perrine Bridge beginning Sunday through Wednesday

The Idaho Transportation Department is preparing for lane closures on the Perrine Bridge beginning Sunday which are expected to remain in place until Wednesday.

“Depending on the weather, southbound traffic will be impacted first, starting Sunday morning and extending into Tuesday,” Project Manager Bruce Christensen said. “Starting Monday or Tuesday, northbound traffic will be impacted through Wednesday.”

Drivers should expect delays plan extra time to get through the construction area.

Only one lane in one direction will be closed at a time, except on Sunday, when both southbound and northbound passing lanes will be closed. Crews will repair expansion joints that allow the bridge to expand and contract with the weather.

This work is a part of ongoing maintenance to extend the life of the Perrine Bridge. Repairs are expected to continue into the spring.

Check Idaho 511 for traffic updates and visit the website to learn more about the project.

ITD shares updated plans for SH-75

The Idaho Transportation Department will host an open house on Jan. 30 about plans to improve multiple sections of State Highway 75 between Bellevue and the Broadway Run intersection south of Ketchum.

The open house will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Commons Room of the Community Campus Building at 1050 Fox Acres Road in Hailey. An online meeting will be available between Jan. 31 and Feb. 14 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh75bellevue.

Plans include widening SH-75 and improving specific intersections between McKercher Boulevard and Timber Way, and between Birch Street and Fox Acres Road. Plans also include improvements to the Gannett Road intersection and transit improvements at the Broadway Run intersection.

“We received excellent community feedback on preliminary design plans in November 2022,” Project Manager Mark Campbell said. “This meeting is an opportunity to share specific updates based on community input, detailed engineering and environmental work.”

Improvements between Bellevue and Broadway Run were approved in 2008 as a part of an environmental impact statement for SH-75 from Timmerman to Ketchum. ITD is re-evaluating improvements based on updated traffic projections, safety data and engineering.

Final design plans are expected to be completed later this year. ITD’s goal is to create shovel-ready projects that can be implemented when funding is identified.

Details about the project are available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh75bellevue.

Persons needing an interpreter or special accommodations are urged to contact 208-334-8884 or TTY/TDD users Dial 711 to use the Idaho Relay System.

Se les recomienda a las personas que necesiten un intérprete o arreglos especiales que llamen al 208-334-8496. Usuarios de TTY/TDD: Marque 711 o (800) 377-3529 para usar el sistema de Relay de Idaho.

Nine ITD snowplows hit so far this winter season

Damaged rear of snowplow.

Winter weather has brought snowy driving conditions to much of Idaho. Unfortunately, the rise in snowy road conditions has also led to a sharp rise in snowplow strikes. Nine Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) plows have been hit so far this winter season. Five strikes happened over the last seven days.

Two of the most recent strikes happened this Wednesday in the Magic Valley, one on I-84 north of Twin Falls, and one on I-84 west of Wendell. Both involved a semi truck rear-ending a plow. The vehicles will be out of service for up to two weeks while they undergo repairs.

“It’s a major impact on maintenance sheds when equipment is taken out of service. We are limited on snowplows,” Jerome Foreman Brian Davidson said. “It makes it more difficult to keep roads clear.”

Another recent strike happened on Tuesday in Nampa. The plow was heading eastbound on I-84 near Karcher Road. A pickup pulling a trailer merged onto the interstate and lost control. The trailer swung out and hit the ITD vehicle’s wing plow. There was no lasting damage to the snowplow.

ITD wants to remind drivers how to be safe around snowplows.

  1. Do not pass a plow on the right. Plows have a 10-foot extendable wing plow on the right side that may be difficult to see in snowy conditions.
  2. Provide ample space for plows to work and steer clear of their blind spots. This also means increasing your following distance behind the plow.
  3. Practice patience and stay behind the plow for the safest road conditions.
  4. Plows often operate in pairs to clear multiple lanes; never position yourself between tandem plows.
  5. In case of a crash or if you need to stop on the side of the road, stay inside your vehicle for both your safety and that of our plow operators.

Last winter, there were 17 plow strikes, a number 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 and photos of plow strikes, visit ITD’s Facebook or X pages. 

Longest-serving member of Idaho Transportation Board Kempton to retire

BOISE – Jim Kempton, who has served the eight south-central Idaho counties as the District 4 representative on the Idaho Transportation Board since March 2012, is set to retire at the end of the month. At nearly 12 years of service, Kempton is the longest-serving board member. He succeeded Gary Blick as the District 4 representative.

A native of Albion, Kempton is a graduate of the University of Idaho. Kempton was a decorated Air Force fighter pilot who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Kempton served five terms in the Idaho House of Representatives, including as the chairman of the House Transportation and Defense Committee.

Kempton also represented Idaho for seven years on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, was a former member of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission – including two years as its president — and served as assistant professor of physics at the Air Force Academy. He also was liaison between the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon.

He chaired the Forum on Transportation Investment during his time on the board, and was a key member of former Governor Otter’s Task Force on Transportation Investment.

At Kempton’s appointment in February 2012, Governor Otter said, “You’re just not going to get any smarter, better informed or committed to public service than Jim Kempton.” During his 11 years on the transportation board, Kempton proved that to be true time after time.

“Jim’s commitment to Idaho and its citizens is unrivaled,” said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad. “It’s evident his time in the Idaho Legislature and with the Public Utilities Commission has been invaluable as he helped guide us on critical issues addressing growth and investment in transportation. I personally will miss the wit and wisdom that was apparent in the support he gave me and the other board members.”

Julie DeLorenzo, who started on the board just a month after Kempton, becomes the longest-tenured member when Kempton steps down.

 

 

SH-21 between Grandjean and Banner Summit set to close at 4 p.m. due to avalanche risk

The Idaho Transportation Department will close State Highway 21 from Grandjean to Banner Summit this afternoon due to 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 4 p.m. today. 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 Interstate 84, exit in Mountain Home at Exit 95 to U.S. Highway 20 and then head north on State 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.

There are around 70 avalanche paths in this 11-mile stretch of SH-21. Avalanches can be triggered without warning. For this reason, there is no parking or stopping within this section of road during the winter.

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.idaho.gov.