Drivers heading westbound on Interstate 86 tonight and tomorrow night should plan extra time for a 15-mile detour. The detour will be in place between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. both nights, with traffic directed onto 2880 East and North Yale Road.
Motorists heading west from Pocatello will take Exit 15 for Raft River and travel on North Yale Road approximately 15 miles until they reach the I-84/Yale Road Interchange.
“This detour is necessary for us to complete installation of the remaining bridge signs at the newly constructed interchange,” ITD Project Manager Travis Hitchcock said. “Detouring traffic will help ensure the safety of both site workers and the traveling public while this work is underway.”
Eastbound traffic will not be affected by this detour.
Drivers are urged to pay close attention to signage and message boards that will be in place to safely direct them through the area.
Wadsworth Brothers Construction, of Draper, Utah, is the prime contractor on this project, which is expected to wrap up this winter.
Early November, work is expected to begin on replacing the N Canal Bridge on Idaho Highway 25 east of Jerome. Built in 1956, the current bridge has reached its life expectancy. The new structure will be both longer and wider than the current bridge, and also support heavier load capacities.
“The new bridge will facilitate space for construction of a future pedestrian walkway,” said ITD Project Manager Tom Logan. “It will also allow for existing utilities to be placed underneath the structure.”
As part of the project, the adjacent ID-25 approaches will be brought up to grade as well.
“Updating the grade of the bridge, along with the northbound and southbound approaches, and increasing the width will improve safety for the traveling public,” stated Logan.
During the first phase of construction, the South 100 W approach will be closed with traffic diverted through the Producers Livestock parking lot. The North 100 W approach will then be closed during the second phase of construction.
Traffic on ID-25 will remain open but reduced to one lane in each direction throughout the duration of the project. Barrels will be in place to safely guide motorists through the work zone.
Click here to see a graphic of the closures.
“Most of our work on the bridge must be completed while the canal is dry,” said Logan. “We expect the majority of work to be done by March of next year, with remaining items to be completed by the Spring.”
Coldwater Group, Inc. of Pleasant View, Utah is the primary contractor for this project.
As early as Thursday (Oct. 15), traffic will shift on Interstate 84/86 at the Salt Lake Interchange project. Motorists traveling toward Pocatello from Burley on I-84 will be detoured toward Salt Lake. They will take Exit 228 at Yale Road and then enter I-84 westbound and continue on to I-86 toward Pocatello.
“This detour will allow us to complete demolition of the aged eastbound bridge structure.” ITD Project Manager Travis Hitchcock said. “This will be the final demolition phase for this project.”
In addition to the Yale Road detour, westbound traffic progressing from I-86 to I-84 will now continue through the work zone in their designated lane of travel.
“These are new traffic patterns which replace others previously in place throughout this project,” stated Hitchcock. “It’s important that drivers pay close attention to signage and message boards that will be in place to safely direct them through the area.”
Traffic will remain reduced to a single lane in each direction. Drivers should continue to anticipate reduced speeds through the work zone and watch for crews and heavy equipment.
Wadsworth Brothers Construction, of Draper, Utah is the prime contractor on this project.
The Idaho Transportation Department is evaluating an application to allow loads of up to 129,000 lbs. on the Idaho Highway 81 Spur in Cassia County.
A public hearing will be held this month in Burley to provide citizens an opportunity to comment on the route application. The hearing will be an open house format with staff from ITD on hand to answer questions regarding the application or the 129k process.
Thursday, October 22
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Burley City Hall
1401 Overland Ave, Burley
At the hearing, citizens can give verbal or written testimony on the proposed 129k route:
– ID-81 Spur: From the I-84/Yale Road Interchange to ID-81 east of Declo (MP 0.0 – 0.34)
The comment period will remain open until Friday, October 30. Those interested in viewing the application or submitting comment online before or after the hearing can visit: https://itd.idaho.gov/freight.
Citizens who can’t attend, can record verbal comments by calling 855-785-2499. Written comments can also be submitted to ITD Freight Program Manager Scott Luekenga via e-mail to scott.luekenga@itd.idaho.gov, or mail to:
Idaho Transportation Department
ATTN: Scott Luekenga
PO Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707-1129
Individuals may also contact Scott Luekenga directly with questions regarding 129k routes or the approval process by calling 208-334-8057.
The Department is required to conduct an analysis and public hearing on all requests to operate 129,000 lbs. on the state highway system before the Idaho Transportation Board makes a final decision.
Idaho Transportation Department personnel will adhere to best practices during the public hearing and request that individuals who attend follow recommended guidelines relating to COVID-19.
Dependent on weather, drivers can expect lane restrictions and possible delays near Twin Falls next week as crews from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) perform routine bi-annual inspections on the Perrine Bridge.
From Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18 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 lessen traffic congestion through the area and is expected to following the below schedule:
– Northbound Right Lane Closure: Monday – Tuesday, 8:15 am to 3 pm
– Southbound Right Lane Closure: Wednesday – Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm
Short duration (15 minute) single lane closures will also occur each day in the left northbound lane when workers access and exit the lower half of the structure.
Motorists may consider using an alternate route between the hours listed above.
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.
BOISE – The results are in and after a statewide enforcement and awareness effort to buckle up, participating officers issued 1,265 citations for seat belt violations.
In Idaho, the seat belt use rate is 85%. The mobilization efforts exist for the remaining 15% who still don’t buckle up. In the last five years, from 2015-2019, 56 percent of vehicle occupants killed in Idaho were not restrained and 1,207 unrestrained vehicle occupants were critically injured in traffic crashes.
“Despite major advancements in vehicle protection, the most effective way to reduce serious injury or fatalities in crashes still remains the simplest task of all: wearing a seat belt,” said Highway Safety Grants Officer Josephine Middleton.
The mobilization launched July 25 and wrapped up August 7. Typically, the Click It or Ticket campaign runs in May, but given the downturn in traffic counts this spring due to COVID-19, the Office of Highway Safety ran the mobilization effort later in the summer when more cars were on the road.
“Even with the challenges of this year, many agencies found a way to make sure that Idahoans were buckled up when driving during the 100 Deadliest Days,” added Middleton.
As early as Monday (August 24), traffic will shift on Interstate 84/86 at the Salt Lake Interchange project. Motorists traveling from Utah toward Burley on I-84 will now be routed underneath the newly built bridge structures.
“This is a different traffic pattern than what we have had in place for the duration of this project,” ITD Project Manager Travis Hitchcock said. “It is important that drivers traveling through the area pay close attention to signage and message boards that will be in place to safely direct them through the area.”
Traffic will remain reduced to a single lane in each direction, and the turn offs toward Salt Lake City from eastbound I-84 will remain the same.
This project is scheduled to finish by late 2020.
Drivers should still anticipate reduced speeds through the work zone and watch for crews and heavy equipment.
Wadsworth Brothers Construction, of Draper, Utah is the prime contractor on this project.
Drivers can expect overnight lane restrictions near Twin Falls next week as crews perform specialized inspections of the Perrine Bridge.
On Monday and Tuesday of next week (August 24-25), single lane closures will occur on the bridge to allow inspections on the bridge deck.
Work is scheduled during evening and nighttime hours to help reduce traffic congestion through the area. Drivers may consider using an alternate route between the hours of 8 pm to 5 am.
On Wednesday (August 26) a short duration (15 minute) single lane closure will occur in the left northbound lane at approximately 9:30 am as crews access the lower half of the structure. Another short duration closure will occur in the afternoon once inspections are complete.
“The Perrine Bridge is a unique structure that plays a vital role in the region,” stated ITD South-central Idaho Operations Manager Seth Helms. “Routine and specialized inspections are performed regularly to assess the bridge and ensure the longevity of the structure.”
Motorists 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.
Two closures are expected next week in relation to the construction on US-30 from N 400 West to Parke Avenue in Burley.
“This project has been underway since February, and we are expected to finish later this year,” 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.”
During the closures, crews will construct new approaches on the roadway. Utilities work will also occur during this time.
The first closure is scheduled for Monday through Tuesday (August 17-18). Access from 200 W to US-30 will be closed to traffic during this time.
The second closure is scheduled to take place Wednesday through Friday (August 19-21). Access from Washington Avenue to US-30 will be closed to traffic during this time.
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.
