Emergency repair on I-84 near SLC interchange begins July 17

I-84 interstate symbol

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

Idaho Transportation Department seeks feedback on draft seven-year transportation plan

Drone shot of I-90 weaving through the mountains in North Idaho

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is seeking feedback on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The ITIP outlines the state’s transportation priorities and guides investment decisions for the next seven years through 2031. ITD encourages everyone to review the draft and provide comments July 1-31.

Transportation projects included in the draft ITIP range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of new guardrail. Projects are located throughout Idaho’s 44 counties and involve all modes of transportation. Project selection is determined through technical data, as well as input from local officials and residents.

Visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an interactive map to learn about projects and submit a comment through the portal.

This draft ITIP shows plans for $6.9 billion in funding, including $200 million dedicated to pavements and $100 million dedicated to bridges each year.

Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney confirmed, “With the growth of traffic accelerating the need for improvements and the impacts of inflating costs since 2020, the added annual investment in highway pavement and bridge repairs proposed in this draft ITIP plan will provide the Idaho Transportation Board effective options to consider looking ahead for Idaho.”

Comments can be emailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov, recorded at 208-334-8063 or mailed to:

ITIP – Comments
Attn: Abby Peterson
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID  83707

Paper copies of the ITIP will be available at regional offices and provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department at 208-334-4455.

All comments will be reviewed and incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate. Responses will be sent by September.

After approval by the Idaho Transportation Board in September, the ITIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in October.

Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP includes the prioritized needs of Idaho’s communities.

The westbound on-ramp will close at the I-84 South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168) in late May

South Jerome Interchange

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will close the westbound on-ramp (heading toward Boise) at the I-84 South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168) on Tuesday, May 28. The ramp will remain closed for a few months while crews build the new westbound on-ramp.

Traffic will be detoured to the Main Street/Highway 25 Interchange (Exit 165). Motorists will be directed north on S Lincoln Avenue, west on W Avenue D, north on S Birch Street and west on W Main Street/Highway 25. Click here to see a detour map.

Motorists can continue to expect intermittent local road closures, I-84 lane closures, traffic shifts and ramp changes throughout the duration of the project. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2026.

Details about the I-84 South Jerome Interchange project are available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sjeromeic or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.

Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.

 

ITD Board approves funding for Snake River Crossing environmental analysis, and other traffic improvement efforts in the Magic Valley

Aerial shot of the Snake River Canyon

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.”

New Ohio Gulch traffic signal timing adjusted to reduce congestion

New signal at SH-75 and Ohio Gulch goes live April 11th

The Ohio Gulch traffic signal on State Highway 75 was completed and activated on April 11. Over the past several weeks, the Idaho Transportation Department has gathered data to help refine the timing plan of the signal in both directions. 

Feedback provided by the community helped pinpoint specific issues drivers experienced and assisted ITD in adjusting the signal timing plan which we expect to result in a reduced wait times and less congestion on SH-75. 

ITD will continue to monitor the signal and make any additional adjustments as needed. 

For more information about ITD projects and traffic information check out Idaho 511 either online, by phone, or through the app for smart devices.  

Expect on- and off- ramp closure through Friday

I-84 interstate symbol
Motorists should plan ahead if travel includes the Heyburn (Exit 211) Interchange over the next three days.

ITD is closing on-and off-ramps at Exit 211 from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. today through Friday, May 3. A detour is in place and will guide motorists through the project area. Drivers should follow the signs and speed limit in the work zone.

Here’s what to expect:

  • Today and tomorrow, the eastbound on-ramp will be closed.
  • Friday the westbound off-ramp will be closed.

All ramps will be open for the weekend, but drivers should expect intermittent closures in the area throughout the month. Scheduled closures will be posted to 511.idaho.gov.

Traffic on I-84 remains reduced to one lane in each direction and slowed to 55 mph.

Reconstruction of the Heyburn Interchange is expected to cost $90.1 million while the Burley Interchange is expected to cost $85.1 million. Construction on both interchanges will be complete in 2026.

Both projects are funded by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program.

New signal at SH-75 and Ohio Gulch goes live April 11th

New signal at SH-75 and Ohio Gulch goes live April 11th

The new traffic signal installed on State Highway 75 at Ohio Gulch Road north of Hailey is complete and will go live on Thursday, April 11.

The number of lanes remain the same and align with the signal lights. Drivers should be aware that the signal is there and active and be prepared to stop if needed.

The traffic light was originally slated to go live on April 15th, but crews were able to complete the project early.

For more information about projects in your area go to 511.idaho.gov.

Construction at Exit 211 on I-84 in Heyburn has begun

Drone shot of the Heyburn Interchange on I-84 before construction

Construction to upgrade the Heyburn Interchange (Exit 211) is scheduled to begin Monday (March 11), adding another work zone on Interstate 84 as work began at the nearby Burley Interchange (Exit 208) in late February. Both multi-year projects include replacing the interchanges, with funding coming from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program.

The interchanges were built in the 1960s. Feedback from open houses held in 2022 and 2023 led to the selection of new designs that are safer and capable of handling more traffic.

On Monday, crews will mobilize into the area and begin setting up the work zone. Nighttime lane closure are not anticipated until early April when they place barrier and start removing vegetation in the median.

Upgrading the interchange will take until late 2026 and is expected to cost $90.1 million. Drivers can generally expect:

  • All lanes on I-84 will be open during the day. Drivers will be shifted many times to run on temporary pavement to keep traffic flowing.
  • Nighttime lane closures on I-84 as needed.
  • Nighttime ramp closures as needed.
  • Lane closures and traffic shifts on State Highway 24 where it crosses underneath the interstate.

The new interchange will be shifted to the east and feature longer ramps to access I-84 and two new signals to control ramp traffic. The existing loop ramps will be removed, and the I-84 bridges will be replaced. View the detailed design here. Download a drone shot of the interchange before construction.

This year, the contractor will work on building temporary lanes in the median to shift traffic onto, start reconstructing westbound lanes with concrete and form embankments for future ramps.

Nighttime lane closures initially anticipated at the Burley Interchange in late February have been delayed by weather. To be alerted when those lane closures begin, visit the project website to sign up for email updates. Live traffic impacts can always be checked at 511.idaho.gov.

The Leading Idaho program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build.

Construction resumes on the I-84 Kimberly Interchange

Image of I-84/ID-50 Kimberly Interchange

Next week work will resume at the Interstate 84 Kimberly Interchange as crews continue to rebuild it to handle more traffic.

Drivers should plan for daytime lane closures on I-84 as early as Monday (March 11), pending weather conditions.

Traffic will remain shifted to the newly constructed northbound lanes on the bridge going over the interstate. Over the next two weeks, crews will demolish the southbound lanes of the overpass.

Lane closures on both I-84 and SH-50 will remain in place for several months, even after bridge demolition is complete. Throughout construction drivers can expect reduced speed limits, traffic shifts and short-duration ramp closures.

Reconstruction of the interchange includes additional space for turning lanes, sidewalks and a pedestrian fence on the SH-50 bridge. It is also designed to provide extra room for potential future expansion of I-84 underneath the bridge, though nothing is planned at this time.

Work began in June 2023, and since then crews have rebuilt half of the SH-50 bridge and part of all the ramps as well as repaved SH-50 near the bridge. For more information visit I-84/SH-50: Kimberly Interchange | ITD Projects (idaho.gov).

Construction should wrap up in the fall of 2024. Travelers are urged to download the 511 app or visit 511.idaho.gov to stay up to date on traffic impacts.

 

Construction at Exit 208 on I-84 begins with nighttime lane closures

View of the Burley Interchange from the freeway

Construction to upgrade the Burley Interchange (Exit 208) on Interstate 84 is set to begin next week, and the nearby Heyburn Interchange (Exit 211) is scheduled to begin soon after. Both multi-year projects include replacing the interchanges, with funding coming from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program.

Both interchanges were built in the 1960s. Feedback from open houses held in 2022 and 2023 led to the selection of new designs that are safer and capable of handling more traffic.

Work will begin at the Burley Interchange on Monday, Feb. 26, with crews bringing in equipment and setting up the work zone. Drivers should plan for nighttime lane closures while they place barrier and start removing vegetation in the median.

Upgrading the interchange will take until late 2026 and is expected to cost $85.1 million. Drivers can generally expect:

  • All lanes on I-84 will be open during the day. Traffic will be shifted many times to run on temporary pavement to keep traffic flowing.
  • Nighttime lane closures on I-84 as needed.
  • Nighttime ramp closures as needed.
  • Traffic shifts on State Highway 27 crossing over the interstate.

The new interchange will feature longer ramps to access I-84 and two new signals to control ramp traffic. The two existing westbound on-ramps will be consolidated to one ramp, and all bridges will be replaced. View the detailed design here.

This year the contractor will work on building temporary lanes in the median to shift traffic onto, start reconstructing westbound lanes with concrete and forming embankments for future ramps. Crews will also begin to replace the westbound bridge over the canal to the west of the interchange and the northbound bridge for SH-27 traffic over the interstate.

To stay up to date, visit the project website to sign up for email updates. Live traffic impacts can always be checked at 511.idaho.gov.

Construction at the nearby Heyburn Interchange is expected to start in mid-March.

The Leading Idaho program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build.