Information and news from South-Central Idaho | District 4
Next week there will be a short duration detour for the US-30, N 400 West to Parke Avenue construction project in Burley. This detour will be in place from Sunday (June 14) at 7 am to Monday (June 15) at 7 am. During this time, access to Bedke Boulevard from US-30 will be closed to through traffic. Motorists will need to use Idaho Highway 27 while crews place new storm sewer lines in the area.
When it comes to local infrastructure projects, the show must go on. In these evolving times, transitioning to a career in the essential industry of heavy highway construction has never looked so appealing!
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is pleased to announce a new 4-6 week custom training program slated for August 2020. The selected twenty applicants will receive a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a Level 1 certification as a Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO), and more.
Much like an NFL Combine or Spring Training, contractors will be invited at the conclusion of the training to meet ITD’s trainees and watch firsthand as they operate tractor-trailers and heavy construction equipment in a safe and controlled environment. If the contractor likes what they see, they are welcome to hire new employees on the spot.
ITD’s Office of Civil Rights will be accepting applications and resumes from Friday June 12 – Friday July 10, 2020.
Send the completed application and a resume to Jasmine Platt, Contract Compliance Officer by email at civilrights@itd.idaho.gov, by picture message at 208-954-2053, or by mail at:
Idaho Transportation Department
ATTN: Jasmine Platt
P.O. Box 7129 Boise, ID 83707-1129
Applicants must be over the age of 21, hold a valid driver’s license with at least one year of driving experience, and must be able to pass a drug screening and DOT physical. No construction experience is necessary. ITD is an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants regardless of experience may apply. Women and minorities especially encouraged to apply.
WHAT: CDL and HEO Level 1 Training
WHEN: August 2020
WHERE: Treasure Valley (exact location TBD depending on training vendor)
Since Governor Little lifted restrictions on restaurants as part of his economic recovery plan, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will discontinue the temporary permits for food trucks at Idaho rest areas, with the last day for food trucks set as June 12.
Food trucks have been stationed at rest areas since mid-April to offer hot meal services to essential travelers.
“More than 30 permits have been granted since we developed this provisional program,” said Nestor Fernandez, ITD’s Mobility Services Engineer. “Now that hot meals on the road will be easier to find, those permits will expire so that ITD may be in compliance with federal rules.”
In early April the Federal Highway Administration announced it would momentarily relax enforcement of rules that prohibit commercial activity on state-owned, federally-supported right of way like rest areas.
An emergency exemption by the Idaho Transportation Department will allow permitted food trucks to set up at rest areas and offer hot meals to truck drivers and other travelers.
“We heard truck drivers were having difficulties finding hot meals with the restrictions placed on nonessential businesses during the stay-at-home order,” said Nestor Fernandez, ITD’s Mobility Services Engineer. “Our goal is to support them as best as we can during this pandemic, especially long-haul drivers delivering goods across the U.S.”
ITD worked with the Idaho Trucking Association to identify opportune times for vendors to stage at rest areas as well as the Southern Idaho Food Truck Association to solicit appropriate vendors.
Food trucks will be permitted at rest areas around the state, with up to two vendors allowed at each site. They will not be permitted at rest areas that already offer these services and are under public-private management. Learn more about the temporary program.
“These temporary services are targeted at truck drivers and other essential travelers,” Fernandez said. “We don’t want to attract crowds and will advise permitted vendors to follow healthcare guidelines.”
Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration announced it would temporarily relax enforcement of rules that prohibit commercial activity on state-owned, federally-supported right of way like rest areas.
Once the stay-at-home order is lifted in Idaho and restrictions on nonessential businesses are eased, food trucks will no longer be permitted at rest areas.
The Idaho Transportation Department invites community members to give input on improvements to Idaho 75 in Ketchum via an online discussion at itdprojects.org/idaho-75-elkhorn-road. The online discussion will be open from June 4 to June 18.
“During this time of social-distancing restrictions, we recognize that community involvement is still essential to the success of this project,” said ITD Project Manager Nathan Jerke. “We encourage all community members to join us for the online discussion.”
The online discussion will include a short presentation introducing the project and its background. There will also be an opportunity for individuals to provide input and see comments from other community members.
Growth and development in recent years have resulted in increased congestion on Idaho 75. This project will result in design plans for widening the highway between Elkhorn Road and River Street, rebuilding the Trail Creek Bridge and improving drainage and other infrastructure.
Comments may be submitted via the website, calling (208) 886-7809, emailing SH75ElkhornRoadToRiverSt@itd.idaho.gov or sending mail to the Idaho Transportation Department, 216 S Date St., Shoshone, ID 83352 at the attention of Nathan Jerke.
Those who do not have the ability to engage online should use the contact information above, and a member of the project team will provide other resources to participate.
Construction is expected to begin south of Burley on Monday (June 8) at the intersection of Idaho Highway 27, West 600 South and South Pole Line Road.
“This safety improvement will widen the roadway and provide designated left turn lanes for motorists traveling on the highway,” said ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé. “It will also increase mobility in the area with through traffic no longer needing to slow down for vehicles making turns onto the adjacent roadways.”
During construction, traffic will be reduced to a single lane and guided by flaggers or temporary signals. Work is expected to continue until mid-July.
Motorists should anticipate minor delays and may encounter some access closures to county roads. Drivers are encouraged to consider another route while work on this project is underway.
The general contractor is Idaho Materials and Construction.
Construction is expected to begin Monday (June 8) on US-93 near Idaho Highway 74 at milepost 38.
“In the next few weeks, we will add a longer turn lane for motorists traveling northbound toward Twin Falls,” said ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé. “This will improve safety in the area by providing a designated lane for motorists to decelerate when turning off US-93.”
While construction is underway, traffic will be reduced to a single lane during working hours which are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the month of June.
Drivers should anticipate minor delays and watch for flaggers.
The general contractor is Idaho Materials and Construction.
d Construction.
The Idaho Transportation Department will begin repairs this week on Idaho Highway 75 in Blaine County to address areas damaged during the winter months. Work will occur on various stretches of roadway between milepost 118 and 132 on both north and southbound lanes.
Weather permitting, crews are anticipated to complete work by the end of July.
“We are working to fix areas of the highway which saw substantial damage over the lengthy winter months,” said ITD area foreman Brad Lynch. “The work we are doing will smooth out the roadway and improve the driving experience for motorists throughout the Wood River Valley.”
Some areas will require a detour while work is being performed. Access to Serenade Lane from ID-75 will be closed for approximately two days during this timeframe.
Motorists are advised to exercise caution, watch for flaggers and follow signs which will be in place to safely direct drivers through the area.
Repairs are expected to take place Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Work will not be performed over the Fourth of July weekend.
Weather permitting, on Monday (June 1) the Idaho Transportation Department will begin sealcoating a portion of US-20 west of Fairfield from milepost 124 to 151 to preserve the pavement.
“Over the next two weeks, we will sealcoat approximately 27 miles of highway,” said ITD Project Manager Sam Purser. “This is the final stage of the US-20 paving and safety improvement project that took place in that area last year.”
While work is underway, the roadway will be reduced to a single lane. Both lanes will be open to traffic outside of working hours.
Motorists should anticipate short delays and watch for the presence of flaggers or pilot cars during the day.
Sealcoating is a surface treatment that takes place during the summer months to preserve and extend the life of Idaho’s roadways by applying a layer of oil and rock chips. It also provides a skid-resistant surface for better vehicle traction.
The process requires hot temperatures and dry weather for chips to properly adhere to the oil.
Chips placed during sealcoats have potential to cause windshield damage so drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay attention to reduced speeds and no-passing zones throughout the work area.
Two detours are expected to occur next month in relation to the construction on US-30 from N 400 West to Parke Avenue in Burley.
“This project has been underway since February of this year, and we are expected to finish this fall,” said ITD Project Manager Kenny Lively. “We are transitioning four miles of the roadway from a two-lane to a four-lane highway which will enhance safety and increase mobility in the area.”
The first detour is scheduled to occur Monday, June 1 from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Access to Bedke Boulevard from US-30 will be closed to through traffic. Motorists will need to use Idaho Highway 27 during this time while crews place new storm sewer and electrical components.
The second detour is scheduled to take place from Saturday, June 6 to Thursday, June 11 to allow Eastern Idaho Railroad to work on the nearby crossing. During this time, US-30 will be closed to through traffic between Parke Avenue and Washington Avenue. Motorists will be rerouted to West 16th Street.
Drivers should exercise caution and watch for signs which will be in place to safely direct motorists through the area.
Western Construction Inc. is the prime contractor for this project.
Paving operations are expected to begin next Tuesday (May 26) on a short section of US-93 just north of Flying J in Jerome County.
Weather permitting, work on this project is anticipated to last eight days.
Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction throughout the work zone. The current traffic signal at 500 S Road will still be in operation. Flaggers may also be present during certain stages of the project.
Motorists should anticipate minor delays and watch for reduced speeds and workers throughout the work zone.
The general contractor is Idaho Materials and Construction.
