Public invited to attend an open house next week for Idaho Highway 75 construction in Hailey

On Wednesday, June 16, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host a public meeting for the Idaho Highway 75 Hailey Main Street Rehabilitation project. This is part of a larger project that began in May with updates to pedestrian ramps along Main Street (ID-75).

The open house will provide an opportunity for individuals to learn more about the second phase of the project, which begins in mid-July, and will involve work on the roadway.

The meeting will be held in open house format and members of the project team will be available to answer questions about upcoming construction and impacts. Individuals are invited to stop by anytime during the open house to view display boards and talk with the project team.

Date: June 16, 2021
Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Hailey City Hall, 115 Main St. South, Hailey, ID

An online version of the meeting will be available for those unable to attend in-person. It will be accessible on June 17 via the project website: itdprojects.org/projects/id-75-hailey-main-street

For questions or comments before or after the public meeting, please call 208.608.6635 to speak with a member of the project team.

Additional closure planned next week for Interstate 84 Exit 201 near Kasota

Due to unexpected weather impacts, all ramps at Interstate 84 Exit 201 and Idaho Highway 25 underneath the interstate will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday (June 1 – 2) to allow for crews to complete work on the roadway.

“We had planned for this phase of construction to be finished by the end of May, but rain in the region delayed our original timeline,” ITD Project Manager Sam Purser said.

The roadway will remain open through Memorial Day weekend, but drivers on I-84 will need to use Exits 194 or 208 during the closure next week. County roads will not be affected.

This is part of a larger project to resurface eight miles of ID-25 from the I-84 interchange to Paul in order to provide a better driving surface for motorists and help extend the life of the roadway.

“We appreciate the patience of drivers as we work to complete construction,” Purser stated. “Even with this minor setback, we still anticipate the project to be complete by late summer.”

Work to begin next week on US-93 in Lincoln County

Construction is expected to begin Tuesday (June 1) on a pavement restoration project near Shoshone. Throughout the summer, crews will rehabilitate the base and resurface the roadway to provide a smoother and safer driving experience for motorists.

“We will begin work on the east side of Shoshone and then continue toward Marley for approximately 12 miles,” ITD Project Manager Tom Logan stated. “This project will use a combination of new and existing roadway materials to stabilize and extend the life of the highway.”

The E 20 North intersection will also be reconstructed as part of this project to improve safety and curves will be upgraded and realigned to meet current standards where necessary.

While crews are on site, the roadway will be reduced to a single lane – Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the possibility of some work occurring on Saturdays. Flaggers and pilot cars will be present to direct traffic through the work zone. Motorists are advised to slow down and watch for workers and heavy equipment in the area.

Knife River Corporation is the primary contractor on this $7 million project that is expected to be complete in September.

ID-55 Smiths Ferry project transitions to summer work schedule

Spring construction is wrapping up on Idaho Highway 55 between Smiths Ferry and Rainbow Bridge. Thursday, May 27th marks the last day of planned full road closures until September. Friday through Monday during the Memorial Day weekend, both lanes of the highway will be open. Then Tuesday, June 1st, our summer construction schedule begins.

This project will help improve safety and mobility for drivers by widening shoulders, minimizing roadway curves, and installing guardrail in certain locations.

“Our spring construction started in mid-March, and with full road closures Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. crews were able to safely blast rock away from the hillside,” said Project Engineer Alex Deduck. “In two and a half months crews excavated and removed nearly 55,000 cubic yards of material, that’s more than 4,500 truckloads. We’re close to a third of the way through the project now and appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we make this a safer drive.”

Crews will continue their work on the highway this summer. June 1 through Labor Day drivers should plan for one-lane alternating traffic day and night Monday through early Friday morning. Both lanes will be open on weekends Friday through Sunday to accommodate busy summer travel.

Watch the video below to see the progress made so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyxtpnNKiWE

Be the first to know project updates by signing up for our text alerts and emails. Just visit our website or text the word “alerts” to 833-480-0255. Project representatives are available 24/7 to answer your questions.

Thank you for your patience as we improve the safety and mobility of ID-55.

US-30 between Bliss and Hagerman to be resurfaced in June and July

Map image of construction zone on US-30 from Bliss to Hagerman

Work is expected to begin Tuesday, June 1 on US-30 in Gooding County. This project will improve approximately eight miles of highway between Bliss and Hagerman.

During construction, crews will first resurface the highway and then apply a sealcoat to protect the new surface and provide better traction for drivers.

“This work will improve the highway and create a better driving experience for motorists,” said ITD Project Manager Travis Hitchcock. “In addition to roadway work, crews will also replace guardrail along the Bliss Grade to improve safety in the area.”

Construction will last through mid-July. Motorists should anticipate short delays and watch for the presence of flaggers or pilot cars to guide them through the one-lane work zone during working hours. Crews are expected to be on site every weekday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Knife River is the primary contractor for this $2.5 million project.

Work to begin next week on Idaho Highway 25 near Eden and Hazelton

Map image of construction zone on ID-25 near Eden

Construction is expected to begin Tuesday (June 1) on Idaho Highway 25 in Jerome County. This work will rehabilitate the roadway from milepost 18, approximately four miles west of Eden, to Interstate 84.

“This project will encompass approximately 13 miles of ID-25,” ITD Resident Engineer John Baxter stated. “Although our work zone will be near Eden and Hazelton, construction operations will not occur within the communities.”

Construction will involve pulverizing the surface of the roadway, adding cement and then compacting materials before placing a new surface on the highway. This will reinforce the existing base and extend the life of the roadway.

While work is underway, the highway will be reduced to a single lane. Motorists are advised to watch for flaggers and pilot cars that will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.

This $3.9 million project is expected to be complete late summer. The primary contractor is Western Construction, Inc.

Idaho Transportation Board puts new money to work across Idaho

LEWISTON – The Idaho Transportation Board approved dozens of new road projects across every corner of the state Wednesday afternoon (May 19) during its regular monthly meeting in Lewiston. The projects include $350 million in construction work that is expected to begin sometime next year.

Many of the projects are part of Idaho Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” transportation funding solution.

“Idaho is the fastest growing state in the nation. To keep up with the demands of a fast-growing state, our historic transportation funding solution helps save Idahoans’ time, keeps us safe on our roads, and makes our state’s economy even stronger,” Governor Little said. “I appreciate the Idaho Transportation Board for acting quickly to put these new funds to work.”

Projects approved today that are ready now include $170 million of Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds to expand Idaho State Highway 16 from its current location at US-20/26 (Chinden Blvd.) to Interstate 84. The board also dedicated $37 million of TECM funds to expand US-20/26 to four lanes from Middleton Road to I-84. Both projects should be under construction next year and will likely be bonded.

In addition, the board approved about $140 million in projects with one-time funds from the Building Idaho’s Future program, along with federal and state COVID Relief funds. This statewide group of projects is focused on critical maintenance and safety needs for highways and bridges from Ashton in eastern Idaho, to the Magic Valley and north to Wallace.

Check this link to see the full list of projects approved across the state.

“We want to thank the Idaho Legislature and Governor for one of the most significant transportation investments in state history,” said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad. “Our goal as a board is to be great stewards of this funding. We will work with the department to pick the projects across Idaho that will have the greatest return on investment in improving safety, increasing mobility and addressing Idaho’s rapid growth.”

In addition to $350 million in construction that will begin next year, the board also approved nearly $170 million for project development. This includes environmental planning, design and right-of-way acquisition.

“Project development is very important. The Board wants the department to have projects ready for the Building Idaho’s Future program and to be constantly advancing additional work for any future federal or state funding opportunities,” said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad. “It is our goal to put the money to work as soon as it becomes available.”

The TECM fund was increased to $80 million through House Bill 362 signed by Governor Little earlier this month. The Idaho Transportation Department will leverage those ongoing funds into a Building Idaho’s Future bonding program that could yield as much as $1.6 billion. The goal is to have major safety and expansion corridors financed over the next six to eight years with the bond proceeds.

ITD staff will present potential projects and corridors to include in the bonding program to the Idaho Transportation Board by the end of this year.

I-84 exit and portion of ID-25 west of Paul to close for 10 days starting Tuesday

Exit 201 on Interstate 84 will close on Tuesday (May 18) for ten days as construction begins to resurface eight miles of Idaho Highway 25 from the I-84 interchange to Paul.

All ramps at Exit 201 and ID-25 underneath the interstate will be closed from May 18 through May 27* to allow for crews to reconstruct the roadway. Drivers on I-84 will need to use Exits 194 or 208 during this time. County roads will not be affected.

Download a photo of the updated project flyer.

“Closing the ramps and a small section of ID-25 underneath the interstate will allow our crews to safely and efficiently complete work in the area,” ITD Project Manager Sam Purser said. “This project will provide a better driving surface for motorists and help extend the life of the roadway.”

Work on ID-25 north of the interchange will also start on Monday (May 17). This work will reduce the highway to one lane during working hours, which are scheduled Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Outside of working hours, all lanes will be open.

Construction will take until August to complete.

*This closure was originally expected to take place from May 15 through May 25 but will now occur at a later date. Residents may have received a postcard with the original anticipated dates.

Public invited to view final design and construction plans next week for US-93, 300 South roadway project in Jerome County

Map view of US-93 expansion project in Jerome County

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host a public meeting for the US-93, 300 South project to share the latest information about plans to expand US-93 to four lanes between 200 South and 400 South in Jerome County. This will be the fourth and final expansion of US-93 in the area and will provide a safer roadway for commercial and non-commercial vehicles.

The meeting will be held in an open house format on Wednesday, May 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game, Magic Valley Regional Office located at 324 South 417 East in Jerome. Members of the public are invited to drop in anytime during the open house to view display boards and talk with the project team.

In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, the number of attendees will be limited to 50 people at one time. ITD personnel will adhere to best practices during the public meeting and requests that individuals who attend follow recommended guidance relating to COVID-19.

An online version of the meeting will also be available for those who cannot attend on May 12. The online meeting will be available from May 13 to 27 on the project website at: itdprojects.org/projects/us-93-300-south-road.

Individuals who are not feeling well are encouraged to participate in the online meeting instead of attending in person.

Comments will be accepted through June 4, 2021.

Attending the public open house is not a requirement for submitting a comment. Comments can also be submitted via:

Email:    Nathan.Jerke@itd.idaho.gov
Online:   itdprojects.org/projects/us-93-300-south-road
Mail:      Idaho Transportation Department
Attn: Nathan Jerke
216 South Date Street
Shoshone, ID 83352

For more information on project specifics, please contact the ITD Project Manager by emailing Nathan.Jerke@itd.idaho.gov or calling 208-886-7809.

Closure Wednesday night on portions of Interstate 84 Exit 168 in Jerome County

Weather permitting, controlled blasting is expected to occur the night of Wednesday, May 5 near Interstate 84 between Twin Falls and Jerome. This is part of the Idaho Transportation Department’s (ITD) interstate rehabilitation project that has been underway since May of last year to provide a smoother and safer roadway.

For the safety of drivers, traffic must be stopped in the surrounding area while blasting occurs within the ITD right of way. Traffic on I-84 will not be impacted, but drivers will not be able to take the eastbound off ramp at Exit 168 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. as it will be closed. A section of South Lincoln Road will also be closed during this time.

Carefully controlled blasting is necessary for the construction of a new stormwater pond in the area.

“This operation will have a brief impact to traffic,” stated ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé. “We are prepared for a closure of three hours but may be able to open the roadways sooner than that.”

After blasting, crews will ensure the roadway is safe and free of all debris before reopening to traffic.

Dillé explains that timing of this work is very important.

“We have to blast during daylight hours, but we are very conscious of the impact it will have on drivers, which is why we are blasting in the evening after peak hours.”

ITD is asking motorists to consider alternate routes while this activity is underway. Electronic message boards and signage will be placed in the area in advance of the event.

Western Construction of Boise is the general contractor on this project that is expected to be complete in July.