Winter weather has arrived in Idaho and it’s time to be Idaho Ready on the road. One way you can do that? Keep an emergency kit in your car this winter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KLR09HEuyM
You want to be prepared for anything that comes your way, so here are a few things you should always have with you when traveling.
- Flashlight — make sure the batteries work
- Jumper cables — in case your car won’t start, or maybe you need to help someone else
- Kitty litter can give you some traction if your tires are spinning on ice
- Chains
- Small shovel to dig out around your tires or tailpipe
- Flares and a first aid kit
- Food and water — pack high protein snacks that will fill you and your family up for a while
- Anything to keep you warm — a blanket or a small sleeping bag, winter coat, gloves, hat, and waterproof boots
- Ice scraper
If you run off the road, break down, or simply get stuck during a storm, these items will help keep you warm and safe until help arrives. Remember, always let someone know about your travel plans, especially if you’ll be driving through areas with no cell service. Check the latest road conditions at 511.idaho.gov before you leave.
In Idaho you have to be prepared for all sorts of winter weather, and that means being Idaho Ready to drive safely. The Idaho Transportation Department wants drivers to have the knowledge and resources to do that, before they hit the road. Read the messages below to gain some winter driving insight from ITD’s own snow plow operators.
The westbound off-ramp at Exit 1 on Interstate 86 at the Salt Lake Interchange is expected to be closed tomorrow (Dec. 3) from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Motorists heading west from Pocatello to Salt Lake will need to take Exit 216 at the Declo Interchange and re-enter I-84 toward Salt Lake. Eastbound traffic will not be affected by this closure.
Click here to see an image of the traffic pattern.
“This is follow-up work in connection to the closure that occurred late last month. It will be a short duration closure that will allow us to smooth the asphalt on the off-ramp,” Project Manager Travis Hitchcock said. “The asphalt work and additional signage installation are the remaining items left for this project.”
Drivers are urged to pay close attention to signage and message boards that will direct them through the area.
Wadsworth Brothers Construction of Draper, Utah, is the primary contractor on this project that involves replacement of an aging interchange with a new structure that will better serve motorists in the region.
Work is expected to begin tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 1) on a culvert placement along Idaho Highway 46 north of Buhl from milepost 87 to 88. In addition to the culvert work, maintenance crews will also add material to the shoulder of the highway.
“This area currently has an open ditch with a steep slope,” ITD Foreman Phil Etchart said. “Adding a culvert will allow us to build out the shoulder which will help improve the safety of motorists by providing a buffer between the roadway and side vegetation.”
Adding material to shoulders also improves drainage and helps prevent moisture from seeping under the roadway and causing damage during freezing temperatures.
A detour will be in place for through traffic during working hours – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Northbound motorists will be diverted at the intersection of ID-46 and 4300 N. Southbound motorists will be diverted at the intersection of ID-46 and 4400 N.
Signs will be in place to direct drivers through the detour. Motorists are encouraged to slow down and watch for flaggers and equipment in the area.
Work is expected to be complete within the week.
The westbound off-ramp at Exit 1 on Interstate 86 at the Salt Lake Interchange is expected to be closed from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow and Friday (Nov. 19-20).
Motorists heading west from Pocatello to Salt Lake will need to take Exit 216 at the Declo Interchange and re-enter I-84 toward Salt Lake. Eastbound traffic will not be affected by this closure.
Click here to see an image of the traffic pattern.
“Work on the off-ramp must be done during the day when temperatures are high enough to properly seal the asphalt,” Project Manager Kenny Lively said. “This is one of the final steps needed for us to complete the project this winter.”
Drivers are urged to pay close attention to signage and message boards that will direct them through the area.
Wadsworth Brothers Construction of Draper, Utah, is the primary contractor on this project that involves replacement of an aging interchange with a new structure that will better serve motorists in the region.
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.
