With a winter storm forecasted for the weekend, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) wants to remind drivers to share the road with snowplows.
Snowplows push snow off the road and deploy a variety of salt products to keep roadways bare and wet most of the time during storms. Drivers also need to do their part to keep everyone safe on the road.
“Slow down in snowy conditions, and give yourself extra time to get where you need to go this weekend,” Foreman Chuck Sharp said.
Aside from leaving early and using caution when driving in the snow, here are five tips to help share the road with snowplows:
- Don’t crowd the plow. Stay back around 50 feet.
- A snowplow has a 12-foot front plow and 10-foot wing plow and takes up the entire lane. Don’t crowd the centerline.
- The safest spot is behind the plow. Only pass when safe to do so.
- Never pass on the right.
- Before traveling, check 511.idaho.gov for road conditions that are updated 24/7.
While operators work in the worst weather, often the biggest threat to their safety is other drivers. Last winter, 17 plows were hit in Idaho.
“Plows weigh around 58,000 pounds fully loaded,” Sharp said. “Drivers who run into this heavy equipment trying to pass are risking their own safety, and the safety of others on the road when the plow isn’t able to continue working due to damage.”
Top 10 Winter Driving Tip
Drivers should plan for alternating lane closures next week as crews continue making repairs to the Perrine Bridge.
Next week workers will apply a sealant to both sidewalks on the bridge to protect them from weathering. The closures will be staggered so only one lane or one sidewalk will be closed at a time. Lanes will be closed so that the contractor can access the sidewalks and will be open at night when workers are not present.
- Wednesday through Friday (Nov. 15-17)
- The sidewalk on the west side of the bridge will close for repairs. The adjacent southbound lane will be closed.
- Friday through Sunday (Nov. 17-19)
- The sidewalk on the east side of the bridge will close for repairs. The adjacent northbound lane will be closed.
Maintenance will last through spring of 2024 and includes repairs to the sidewalks, the railing and cracks to extend the lifespan of the bridge. Some of the steel supports will also be painted for protection from weathering.
Activities are dependent on weather conditions. Travelers should stay up to date on impacts by visiting 511.idaho.gov or downloading the 511 app.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites the public to attend an open house next Wednesday to share input on the replacement of the Dry Creek Bridge located on U.S. Highway 30.
Originally built in the 1930s, the existing bridge is a two-lane structure that crosses Dry Creek just north of Murtaugh Lake. Proposed plans include updating the guardrail and widening the shoulders, as well as building the new bridge in the same spot or shifting the structure slightly to the north or the south. The department is also seeking comment on ways to preserve historical aspects of the bridge.
The open house will run from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on October 11 in the Murtaugh High School Cafeteria at 500 Boyd Street. An online option will be available at ITDProjects.org/US30DryCreek from October 11 to October 18 to give members of the public who cannot attend in person a chance to participate.
“The bridge has served the community for nearly 100 years and is nearing the end of its lifespan,” ITD Project Manager Brent Brumfield said. “It is important that we preserve the history of the bridge while ensuring the public can cross Dry Creek safely.”
The bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2026. For more information, or to participate in the online open house, visit ITDProjects.org/US30DryCreek.
Daytime lane closures are expected to start early Saturday morning on the Perrine Bridge while staff inspect the structure.
The routine inspection may take up to six days to complete, with crews on site each day between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. Only one lane will be closed in one direction at a time. Work will not affect the sidewalks.
“We are starting this work early and on the weekend when there’s less traffic,” Bridge Asset Management Engineer Alan Buehrig said. “We will be using a special truck to inspect areas underneath the bridge and will move back and forth between both sides, so motorists should be prepared for one less lane in either direction, depending where we’re working.”
Drivers should plan for delays by checking 511.idaho.gov as there is already active construction on the bridge. While the inspection will take less than a week, ongoing maintenance is planned through spring 2024.
Routine repairs on the Perrine Bridge near Twin Falls are now underway as the contractor starts setting up staging areas for equipment and scaffolding to access areas underneath the bridge. Work is not expected to impact traffic at this time.
Maintenance efforts will extend the lifespan of the bridge and include repairing the sidewalks, the railing and cracks. Some of the steel supports will also be painted for protection from weathering.
Lane closures are not expected for a few weeks, but mobilization this week is the beginning of a maintenance project that will last through spring of 2024. Signs on the highway will advertise upcoming closures to give drivers’ time to adjust their commute, and sidewalks on either side of the bridge will remain open for the duration of construction.
ITD schedules routine bridge maintenance projects to ensure the bridge’s longevity for years to come.
“Maintenance now could prevent future closures,” District Engineer Jesse Barrus said. “It’s far more effective to schedule these routine maintenance repairs and plan for it now than address issues later. Our goal is to ensure crews work quickly but safely.”
To learn more about the repairs, visit the project website. Traveler can also stay up to date on traffic impacts at 511.idaho.gov.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is looking for a full-time Public Information Officer to serve the South-central Idaho regional office located in Shoshone, Idaho. The district runs from the Idaho State Line to the south, all the way north through the Twin Falls region to the Wood River Valley and the Sun Valley/Ketchum area.
The ideal candidate will have experience in the transportation field or familiarity with transportation issues, and will also be media savvy.
This individual will make a difference daily, and will be part of an award-winning agency, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Idaho through transportation. At ITD, every employee is critical to the mission as we strive to foster an innovative, collaborative workplace where employees can grow and do their best work. This opening is an opportunity to use your media relations, writing, and collaboration skills to promote the department’s mission.
The PIO will join the department’s Office of Communication professionals statewide in telling the story of one of the best transportation departments in the country. Candidates must have strong writing skills, experience interacting with news media, an understanding of how to use social media effectively, and the ability to develop successful outreach campaigns, facilitate public meetings and assist with internal communication.
The position closes Sept. 10.
Here’s the link to the position announcement:https://statecareers.idaho.gov/jobs/13303772-public-information-officer
A new traffic signal will be installed on State Highway 75 at Ohio Gulch Road north of Hailey starting Tuesday. The signal is expected to be fully operational by January.
Crews will first prepare the site for signal pole installation with the majority of work underground. Then they will build the signal by placing the poles and mast arms.
During construction traffic will be reduced to a single lane intermittently as each corner of the intersection is worked on. Motorists will need to plan for delays during the day and are advised to slow down and watch for workers and heavy equipment along the highway.
“We are pleased to begin construction for this much-anticipated traffic signal for the city of Hailey,” District Engineer Jesse Barrus said. “It’s been a long journey to get here, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we start construction and take the needed time to ensure crews work safely while they complete the project.”
Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.
UPDATE: E 400 South Road in Jerome will continue to be closed until late August.
JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will close E 400 South Road under I-84. Closures will allow crews to begin work on the E 400 South Road bridges as they widen I-84 between the South Jerome (Exit 168) and Twin Falls (Exit 173) Interchanges.
Traffic will be detoured to Golf Course Road, E Frontage Road, E 300 S and S 200 E.
Intermittent closures of E 400 South Road will continue throughout the duration of the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project. Construction is anticipated to be completed in late fall of 2025.
Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.
Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.
UPDATE: Daytime and nighttime ramp closure on the I-84 Westbound ramp Aug. 29 – Sept. 11. Daytime ramp closure affords construction crews the ability to expedite ramp paving. Project remains on schedule to be completed mid-October.
TWIN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins construction on the I-84 and US-93 interchange on and off-ramps at Exit 173 in August 2023 which is expected to last approximately two months. Located just north of Twin Falls, the project will resurface the ramps, upgrade signals, and construct a right turn lane for the westbound I-84 off-ramp.
The public can expect the following traffic impacts:
- Lane reductions in place at the on and off-ramps south of I-84.
- Temporary closures will occur at the on and off-ramps 8 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- Motorists will drive on a gravel surface during the day on the westbound on and off-ramps.
- Construction will be staggered and no more than one ramp will be closed at a time.
- Each ramp closure is expected to last for approximately eight nights.
- Motorists will need to use alternate routes when closures are in place.
- Signs and possibly flaggers or a temporary signal will be in place to direct traffic.
Download map for alternate route descriptions at https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/I84-US93-IC-RampClosures-1.pdf.
Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for impacts to traffic from construction.
JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has installed variable speed limit signs to improve safety as crews widen I-84 between the South Jerome and Twin Falls Interchanges. The new signs are controlled remotely, allowing ITD to lower speeds when crews are working near traffic.
The current posted speed limit in the work zone is 70 mph. When crews are working near traffic, ITD will lower the speed limit, and a flashing beacon will notify drivers that speed limits have been lowered. When crews are not as close to traffic, ITD will raise the speed limits to 70 mph.
Variable speeds have been successfully implemented in other work zones, including the one on I-84 between Caldwell and Nampa. Research shows that variable speed limits reduce crashes, reduce travel times, and improve safety.
The signs will be removed when construction is complete in late fall of 2025.
Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.
