Information and news from South-Central Idaho | District 4
Due to potential adverse weather, controlled blasting that was scheduled to occur this evening (Thursday, July 23) in the median of Interstate 84 between Twin Falls and Jerome has been delayed.
For safety, this activity cannot take place if there is a possibility of lightning in the area. The next expected days for controlled blasting are Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
On Monday (July 20) work in the median of Interstate 84 will require traffic to be intermittently delayed. This is part of the interstate rehabilitation project that has been underway since May of this year. Carefully controlled blasting is required to loosen the hard rock in the median.
“We completed crossovers earlier this month and are now moving into the next phase of the project which entails storm water and draining construction,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Brock Dillé. “This phase of the project requires us to blast portions of the median which will have a short term impact on traffic.”
For the safety of drivers, traffic must be stopped in the surrounding area while blasting is underway.
“There are four locations in the median that we need to address,” stated Dillé. “We expect these activities to take place on various days between July 20 to August 20. Blasting may produce delays for motorists up to 60 minutes although we anticipate the delays to be much shorter.”
In addition to traffic being stopped on I-84, the interstate on ramps at Exit 165 eastbound, 168 westbound and 173 westbound will also be closed while blasting occurs. A portion of the work will require closures on the north and south frontage roads (Bob Barton Road and East Frontage Road) as well.
After each blast, crews will ensure the roadway is safe and free of all debris before reopening the highway 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 the traveling public, which is why we are undertaking this task in the evening when traffic on the interstate is past its peak hours.”
Blasting will not begin before 7:30 pm.
ITD is asking motorists to consider using alternate routes while this activity is underway. Electronic message boards and signage will be placed on the interstate several days in advance of each event. Motorists are advised to adhere to signs and pay attention to flaggers and pace cars that will be utilized to slow traffic on the interstate.
The general contractor is Western Construction of Boise.
Weather permitting, the Idaho Transportation Department will begin seal coating the road surface of several regional rest areas next week to preserve the pavement and provide better traction for motorists.
“Over the next three weeks, we will seal coat four different rest area locations on our state routes,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Sam Purser. “This will improve the area for travelers who use these facilities.”
While work is underway, the rest areas will be temporarily closed. Electronic message boards and barricades will be in place to notify traveling motorists. A list of anticipated closure dates for each location is as follows:
“In addition to the rest area parking lots, we will also be seal coating the on and off ramps and various short portions of I-84,” stated Purser.
Seal coating is a surface treatment performed 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 rocks to properly adhere to the oil.
Rock chips placed during seal coats have potential to cause windshield damage so drivers are cautioned to slow down when traveling to and from these facilities. Motorcyclists are also encouraged to exercise extreme caution when traveling through these areas.
As early as Tuesday of next week (July 7), traffic will shift on Interstate 84/86 at the Salt Lake Interchange project. Motorists traveling on I-84 toward Pocatello will no longer be crossed over to the westbound lanes; instead drivers traveling westbound on I-86 toward Burley will be crossed over to join them on the same set of lanes.
“Shifting all traffic off the westbound lanes to the eastbound lanes will allow for crews to work on that side of the highway,” ITD Project Manager Travis Hitchcock said. “This new traffic pattern is really a mirror image/reverse of what drivers were doing previously, and we anticipate it will be in place for approximately seven weeks.”
Traffic will remain reduced to a single lane in each direction, and the turn offs toward Salt Lake City will remain the same as before.
This project is scheduled to finish by late 2020.
Drivers should still anticipate reduced speeds through the work zone and pay close attention to signage.
Wadsworth Brothers Construction, of Draper, Utah is the prime contractor on this project.
Rehabilitation of US-26/US-93 is expected to begin next Monday (July 6), south of Carey. Work will encompass approximately seven miles of highway (milepost 196 to 203) and provide a safer and smoother ride for motorists.
US-26/US-93 between Shoshone and Carey has seen several rehabilitation projects in recent years. This is one of three remaining projects that are programmed to address the area.
“We anticipate construction to last through August,” said ITD Project Inspector Chuck Sharp. “Working during the warm summer months will allow us to complete rehabilitation and also sealcoat the highway to help preserve the road during the upcoming winter season.”
While construction is underway, traffic on this section of highway will be reduced to a single lane. A pilot car will be utilized during working hours – Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 6 pm.
Motorists should anticipate reduced speeds and watch for workers and heavy equipment throughout the work zone.
The general contractor is Western Construction of Boise.
Traffic flow is expected to change as early as Friday, June 19 on US-93 between 200 S Road and 300 S Road in Jerome County. This is part of the ongoing US-93 widening project, which will see the highway transition from two lanes to four to increase mobility and traffic flow in the area.
“We will be placing temporary traffic signals at both ends of the project later this week,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Sam Purser. “While these signals are in place, crews will tie the newly constructed northbound lanes into the existing highway.”
Temporary signals will be utilized for approximately three to four weeks.
“We are not anticipating any additional intersection closures at this time,” stated Purser. “If we find closures are necessary for safety of the traveling public, we will implement them accordingly.”
Motorists can anticipate minor delays and are encouraged to plan ahead if commuting through the area. In addition to the signals, construction signage, candlesticks, and barrels will also be in place to safely direct those traveling through the work zone.
Drivers are advised to use caution and watch for workers and heavy equipment entering and exiting the highway.
“This project will improve safety at the US-93/200 South intersection for both passenger and commercial vehicles,” explained Purser. “The end result will be a divided highway similar to what drivers encounter two miles south of this area.”
Idaho Materials and Construction is the prime contractor for this project.
For more information visit https://itdprojects.org/projects/us-93-200-south-road
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.
