Category: South-Central

State Highway 21 is now indefinitely closed in both directions from Warm Springs Creek to Stanley due to the Wapiti Fire.  

SH-21 between Boise and Lowman closed Tuesday, but due to fire growth the closure has been extended to Warm Springs. The highway is closed between milepost 92 and milepost 130. 

There is no public access to Grandjean at this time, and traffic to and from Stanley will need to use State Highway 75 as an alternate route. There is no estimated reopening time, but travelers should continue to check Idaho 511 for updates. 

Here are some additional safety tips for traveling in areas with wildfires: 

• Power outages are common near wildfires. Treat non-working traffic signals as four-way stops. 
• Bring additional food and water in case your trip is delayed. 
• Driving in smoke is similar to driving in heavy fog. Slow down, maintain a steady pace, and stay alert. 
• Turn on headlights when driving in smoky areas. 
• The safest place to wait for a highway to reopen is at home.  Avoid traveling to closure points to wait, as closures could last for days. 

Fire information can be found on the National Interagency Fire Center’s website.

Update Aug. 23, 2024 – The State Highway 21 closure has been expanded from Sourdough Lodge to Stanley (MP 84 to 130) due to wildfire activity from the Wapiti Fire. Only local traffic is permitted between the Sourdough and Warm Springs Airstrip. There is no public access from the highway to surrounding areas including Grandjean, Bull Trout, Cape Horn, Boundary Creek, or Seafoam.

Traffic to/from the Stanley area can use State Highway 75 as an alternate route. Access to local businesses in Lowman and Stanley remains open at this time. Please check with the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests for area closure information. Please check with the Boise and Custer County Sheriffs’ Offices for local road closures and evacuation orders.

There is no estimate on when SH-21 will reopen. Fire information can be found on the National Interagency Fire Center’s website.

__________________________________________________________________

Update Aug. 22, 2024 – State Highway 21 remains closed from Warm Springs Creek to Stanley (MP 92 to 130) due to wildfire activity from the Wapiti Fire. There is currently no public access to the Grandjean area, as the fire’s currently burning on both sides of the highway. Motorists planning to travel between Boise and Stanley must take an alternate route through Ketchum on State Highway 75. There is no estimate for when the road will reopen as fire activity remains unpredictable at this time.

If you are traveling on SH-21, please stay alert for increased fire traffic. It’s crucial not to slow crews down as they work to manage the fire. Avoid traveling to closure points to wait. For your safety, check 511.idaho.gov before you go!

Fire information can be found on the National Interagency Fire Center’s website.

__________________________________________________________________

Aug. 20, 2024 – The Wapiti Fire burning in the Boise National Forest has forced the closure of State Highway 21 near Grandjean. Motorists planning to travel between Boise and Stanley will need to take an alternate route through Ketchum on State Highway 75. There is no estimate for when the road will reopen.

The Wapiti Fire is 10% contained and has burned more than 9,000 acres. The Idaho Transportation Department encourages all drivers to check 511.idaho.gov for current conditions on your route.

Here are some additional safety tips for traveling in areas with wildfires:

• Power outages are common near wildfires. Treat non-working traffic signals as four-way stops.
• Bring additional food and water in case your trip is delayed.
• Driving in smoke is similar to driving in heavy fog. Slow down, maintain a steady pace, and stay alert.
• Turn on headlights when driving in smoky areas.
• The safest place to wait for a highway to reopen is at home.  Avoid traveling to closure points to wait, as closures could last for days.

Fire information can be found on the National Interagency Fire Center’s website.

The Idaho Transportation Department will have daytime ramp closures at Exit 141, both on and off ramps, for up to two weeks during work to rehabilitate the pavement on US-30. Closure of the ramps will ensure the work is completed more efficiently and for the safety of the work crews.

During the daytime ramp closures at Exit 141, all drivers will be detoured to Exit 137 about four miles west of Bliss. Ramps at Exit 141 will be opened as work concludes each day; impacts are expected to be complete by July 29.

The ramp closures are part of a project to extend the life of US-30 through Bliss by recycling the existing asphalt, adding cement to better stabilize the roadway base, and repaving the roadway. Construction on US-30 through Bliss is expected to be completed in early fall.

For more information on this project go to Idaho 511

Motorists should watch for new traffic patterns on State Highway 27 as part of the reconstruction of the northbound lanes and bridge over Interstate 84 at the Burley Interchange. Beginning tomorrow, the Idaho Transportation Department will implement the following changes while the new road and structure are under construction:

• Northbound and southbound SH-27 traffic will shift to the west.
• The I-84 westbound on-ramp to SH-27 will be shifted to the north.
• The westbound I-84 on-ramp will be closed on the west side of SH-27.
• The on-ramp located on the east side of SH-27 will provide westbound access to I-84. The on-ramp will be controlled by a temporary traffic signal.

Motorists should slow down and follow construction signage in the work zone to adjust to the new traffic pattern which will be in place until fall 2025.

Reconstruction of the Burley Interchange is expected to cost $85.1 million.

Built in the early 1960s, the interchange has reached the end of its service life. ITD is focused on improving safety, mobility, and economic opportunity for all users who travel this important agricultural and industrial route.

Construction is being funded as part of Idaho Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho transportation funding initiative. The Leading Idaho initiative allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to advance large projects that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy, and positively impact the Magic Valley and communities across the state for years to come.

To learn more about the project, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/i-84-burley-and-heyburninterchanges.

An emergency repair on Interstate 84 near the Salt Lake City Interchange will begin on July 17 to fix concrete pavement that is starting to fail. The pavement has lifted several inches causing a noticeable bump near one of the bridge decks through the region. This bump can be not only disruptive to motorists but poses a safety hazard.

 

Westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane and the speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph. Bump warning signs have been placed until the repair can be completed. The repair should take 5 days. Drivers should properly secure loose items on their vehicles, slow down and use extra caution through the area. 

 

For traffic impacts and information go to 511.idaho.gov

The Idaho Transportation Board approved a resolution today to begin next steps to enhance Magic Valley regional mobility including consideration of a third Snake River crossing near Twin Falls.

ITD was approved to utilize up to $9 million to initiate recommendations presented based on a feasibility study developed with stakeholder interviews, traffic evaluations, design reviews, and close coordination with the Third River Joint Powers Board, the city of Twin Falls, and the Magic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization.

ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney stated, “It takes strong regional partnerships that are united and persistent to bring a major bridge project to reality. All are here today in teamwork with ITD. There are significant, complicated environmental and design work ahead that will likely require creative funding solutions partnering over the next few years.”

The Snake River Crossing project will follow the National Environmental Policy Act procedures over the next two years with ITD engaging many stakeholders, initiating field studies and preliminary design on alternatives to consider. Once a NEPA document is complete a preferred alternative can be selected, as efforts continue to identify funding for construction.

In addition to the potential for a new bridge over the Snake River, the process will include consideration of other improvements to ease congestion and enhance connectivity, such as:

• Widen existing bridges on US-30 and SH-46.
• Extend SH-79 or SH-25 south of Jerome across the canyon to US-93.

Other projects will also move forward, including:

• Widening or replacement of the SH-50 Hansen Bridge and widening five miles of SH-50.

• Traffic mobility improvements to the intersection of US-93 (Pole Line Road) and Blue Lakes Boulevard.

ITD District 4 Engineer Jesse Barrus said, “All of these near and long term improvement considerations will help provide this growing region with important mobility alternatives as our existing transportation system continues to experience more traffic demand.”