The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is looking for a full-time Public Information Officer to serve the South-central Idaho regional office located in Shoshone, Idaho. The district runs from the Idaho State Line to the south, all the way north through the Twin Falls region to the Wood River Valley and the Sun Valley/Ketchum area.
The ideal candidate will have experience in the transportation field or familiarity with transportation issues, and will also be media savvy.
This individual will make a difference daily, and will be part of an award-winning agency, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Idaho through transportation. At ITD, every employee is critical to the mission as we strive to foster an innovative, collaborative workplace where employees can grow and do their best work. This opening is an opportunity to use your media relations, writing, and collaboration skills to promote the department’s mission.
The PIO will join the department’s Office of Communication professionals statewide in telling the story of one of the best transportation departments in the country. Candidates must have strong writing skills, experience interacting with news media, an understanding of how to use social media effectively, and the ability to develop successful outreach campaigns, facilitate public meetings and assist with internal communication.
The position closes Sept. 10.
Here’s the link to the position announcement:https://statecareers.idaho.gov/jobs/13303772-public-information-officer
A new traffic signal will be installed on State Highway 75 at Ohio Gulch Road north of Hailey starting Tuesday. The signal is expected to be fully operational by January.
Crews will first prepare the site for signal pole installation with the majority of work underground. Then they will build the signal by placing the poles and mast arms.
During construction traffic will be reduced to a single lane intermittently as each corner of the intersection is worked on. Motorists will need to plan for delays during the day and are advised to slow down and watch for workers and heavy equipment along the highway.
“We are pleased to begin construction for this much-anticipated traffic signal for the city of Hailey,” District Engineer Jesse Barrus said. “It’s been a long journey to get here, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we start construction and take the needed time to ensure crews work safely while they complete the project.”
Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.
UPDATE: E 400 South Road in Jerome will continue to be closed until late August.
JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will close E 400 South Road under I-84. Closures will allow crews to begin work on the E 400 South Road bridges as they widen I-84 between the South Jerome (Exit 168) and Twin Falls (Exit 173) Interchanges.
Traffic will be detoured to Golf Course Road, E Frontage Road, E 300 S and S 200 E.
Intermittent closures of E 400 South Road will continue throughout the duration of the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project. Construction is anticipated to be completed in late fall of 2025.
Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin 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.
UPDATE: Daytime and nighttime ramp closure on the I-84 Westbound ramp Aug. 29 – Sept. 11. Daytime ramp closure affords construction crews the ability to expedite ramp paving. Project remains on schedule to be completed mid-October.
TWIN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins construction on the I-84 and US-93 interchange on and off-ramps at Exit 173 in August 2023 which is expected to last approximately two months. Located just north of Twin Falls, the project will resurface the ramps, upgrade signals, and construct a right turn lane for the westbound I-84 off-ramp.
The public can expect the following traffic impacts:
- Lane reductions in place at the on and off-ramps south of I-84.
- Temporary closures will occur at the on and off-ramps 8 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- Motorists will drive on a gravel surface during the day on the westbound on and off-ramps.
- Construction will be staggered and no more than one ramp will be closed at a time.
- Each ramp closure is expected to last for approximately eight nights.
- Motorists will need to use alternate routes when closures are in place.
- Signs and possibly flaggers or a temporary signal will be in place to direct traffic.
Download map for alternate route descriptions at https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/I84-US93-IC-RampClosures-1.pdf.
Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for impacts to traffic from construction.
JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has installed variable speed limit signs to improve safety as crews widen I-84 between the South Jerome and Twin Falls Interchanges. The new signs are controlled remotely, allowing ITD to lower speeds when crews are working near traffic.
The current posted speed limit in the work zone is 70 mph. When crews are working near traffic, ITD will lower the speed limit, and a flashing beacon will notify drivers that speed limits have been lowered. When crews are not as close to traffic, ITD will raise the speed limits to 70 mph.
Variable speeds have been successfully implemented in other work zones, including the one on I-84 between Caldwell and Nampa. Research shows that variable speed limits reduce crashes, reduce travel times, and improve safety.
The signs will be removed when construction is complete in late fall of 2025.
Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.
KASOTA – The I-84 Kasota interchange westbound ramp will be closed starting July 23 at 9 p.m. to July 28 at 6 p.m. for construction. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and are encouraged to find alternate routes.
Due to the proximity of construction equipment to the westbound off-ramp, crews will need to temporarily close the ramp while performing concrete paving operations for safety reasons.
Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for impacts to traffic from construction.
HAILEY – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will begin chip sealing Main St. in Hailey starting July 25 and expect to complete work in four weeks. Construction will start at milepost 115.6 Fox Acres Rd and end at milepost 117.3 McKercher Blvd. Chips placed during sealcoats have the potential to cause windshield damage, so drivers are cautioned to drive slow on loose chips and pay attention to flaggers and no-passing zones throughout the work area.
Chip sealing involves applying a thin film of heated asphalt liquid that is sprayed on a road surface, followed by placing small aggregate chips on top, and then compacted to adhere to the asphalt. The cost benefits of chip sealing help to extend the life of the pavement for many years.
Download image of Hailey Main St. at http://https://itd.idaho.gov/haily-main-st-image/
Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.
The Idaho Transportation Department is continuing work on I-84 between the South Jerome (Exit 168) and Twin Falls (Exit 173) Interchanges. Crews are blasting rock in the median of I-84 on weekday afternoons through mid-July.
What you need to know:
- Rolling closures will occur on I-84 through mid-July.
- Delays will range from 20-30 minutes.
A pilot car will slow motorists down several miles before the blast area to allow crews to blast rock and clean up debris.
Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.
SHOSHONE — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is seeking feedback on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The 2024-2030 ITIP outlines the state’s transportation priorities and guides investment decisions for the next seven years. ITD encourages everyone to review the draft and provide comments from July 1-31.
Transportation projects included in the draft ITIP range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of a 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.
To review the complete draft plan visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an interactive map that allows users to learn about projects in their local area as well as submit a comment through the portal.
Local projects in the program include:
- A project to reconstruct the roadway on SH-75 from Saddle Road in Ketchum north to North Fork Campground Road.
- Bridge replacements on US-30, Bickell Railroad Overpass at milepost 231.9 near Murtaugh, and SH-75, Yankee Fork of Salmon Road at milepost 202.48 downriver from Stanley.
- A reconstruction and realignment safety project on SH-75 at Torrey’s Hole RV access to Slate Creek that includes new pavement surface, riverbank stabilization, culvert installation, and installing guardrail.
- A safety and restoration project along US-93 from Hot Springs Road to Fish Creek Road north of Carey to restore deficient pavement, repair frost damage and apply a seal coat to provide a new roadway surface.
- Road widening with four lanes on US-93 from Jerome Butte, SH-25, north to R Canal.
Comments will be taken from July 1-31 and can be emailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov or mailed to:
ITIP – Comments
Attn: Office of Communication
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
Paper copies of the ITIP will be provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department (208) 334-8119.
All comments will be reviewed and incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate. Responses will be sent in September once the comment period has ended.
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. Once finalized, ITD staff across the state will begin scoping new projects.
Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP reflects the needs and desires of Idaho’s communities.
TWIN FALLS – Lane restrictions on Perrine Bridge and Glenns Ferry Bridges are scheduled for June 20-25. Drivers can expect traffic delays across the bridges while Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) crews conduct routine bridge inspections.
Glenns Ferry Bridges
June 20-23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Traffic on both east- and westbound bridges at milepost 121.6 on Interstate 84 will be reduced to one lane in either direction when crews begin work on the eastbound bridge with an 11-ft width lane restriction starting Tuesday, June 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Westbound right-lane closure will begin when eastbound work is completed.
Perrine Bridge
June 24-25 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in either direction while crews move from the south end of the bridge to the north end with an 11-ft width lane restriction:
– Southbound right lane closure: Saturday, June 24 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Northbound right lane closure: Sunday, June 25 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“These special bridge inspections only take a couple of days to accomplish, while routine inspections take a week or more and both are important to ensure the safety and longevity of our state bridges,” said ITD Bridge Inspector Amy Bower.
ITD, Idaho State Police, and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.
