National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 11-15
IDAHO – National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) will be observed April 11-15 with this year’s theme of “Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down.” The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is asking motorists to observe NWZAW and prepare to safely drive through work zones across Idaho.
As part of NWZAW, Idahoans are encouraged
to participate in Go Orange Day on April 13 by wearing orange as a visual reminder of work zones. Photos can be posted on social media using the hashtags #NWZAW and #GoOrange4Safety.
The awareness week ends with a moment of silence on April 15 for people killed in work zone incidents.
Statistics from the National Work Zone Safety
Information Clearinghouse demonstrate the importance of work zone safety and participating in NWZAW to spread the message that everyone has a role in getting roadway workers home safely.
- There were 762 fatal crashes in work zones resulting in 842 deaths in 2019.
- Of the 842 fatalities in 2019, 135 were roadway workers.
- Most people killed in work zones were motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.
NWZAW has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help everyone understand they play a role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe.
As construction season kicks off around the state, it’s important for drivers to remember that work zones come in all shapes and sizes. They can be long or short duration and can occur anywhere, from the middle of a large city to even the most rural routes. ITD encourages all motorists to plan ahead, follow signs, and drive engaged each time they get behind the wheel.
To learn more about NWZAW, visit nwzaw.org.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will resurface two sections of U.S. Highway 93 through Twin Falls this spring and summer.
Work is expected to begin the week of March 21 on Pole Line Road from Grandview Drive to Blue Lakes Boulevard to maintain the roadway, provide better traction and enhance safety for motorists.
Construction involves grinding the top layer of existing concrete, while placing small grooves in the pavement to improve traction on surfaces that have become slick over time from heavy traffic and winter weather.
During construction:
- Work will occur overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to reduce impacts and congestion during commute hours for residents, businesses, and motorists.
- During night work, lane reductions will be in place. All lanes will be open during daytime hours.
- Access to businesses will be maintained but may be briefly limited when equipment moves in front of an intersection or driveway.
- Construction will be noisy, including equipment and back up alarms.
This project is expected to be completed in May.
Upon completion of the first project, crews will proceed with rehabilitating and reconstructing the pavement on Blue Lakes Boulevard from the Perrine Bridge to Pole Line Road. Other improvements will include Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades to pedestrian ramps and replacement of the traffic signal at the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard and Fillmore Street/Bridgeview Boulevard.
ITD will host an open house and online meeting in May to share more information about the second project.
To learn more about each project and sign up for construction updates, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/us-93improvements.
As part of Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative, the 2021 Idaho Legislature dedicated $126 million of one-time funds from Idaho’s budget surplus to transportation projects statewide. The funds were split 60/40 between ITD and local jurisdictions. Construction on the Blue Lakes project is paid for with ITD’s portion of the funds that will accelerate projects to replace bridges, restore pavements, and improve mobility in communities across Idaho.
Weather dependent, work is expected to begin next week (March 8) on State Highway 75 north of Hailey. Construction for this project will be divided into two phases with initial work focusing on updates to pedestrian ramps and reconstruction of a section of the roadway.
“The first phase of this project will take place over the coming month and involve the reconstruction of sidewalks and pedestrian ramps at McKercher Boulevard and E Fork Road to bring them into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Brock Dillé. “We will also reconstruct a portion of SH-75 near the Big Wood River Bridge to improve ride quality.”
While work is underway, lane restrictions will be in place with signs present to direct motorists through the work zone.
Once initial work is complete, crews will transition to the second phase of construction, which will involve rehabilitation of SH-75 from Cobblestone Lane to Timber Way. Additional information regarding rehabilitation efforts and traffic impacts associated with the second phase will be provided closer to that work beginning.
“We advise drivers to use caution and watch for workers and heavy equipment when traveling through the work zone,” stated Dillé. “We will be working to minimize impacts throughout this project and appreciate the patience of motorists as they travel through the area.”
Western Construction is the primary contractor on this project which is expected to be completed in May.
Work is expected to begin Tuesday, February 1, on U.S. Highway 93 east of Jerome. Construction of new lanes will begin north of the State Highway 25 intersection, and continue south past 100 S Road (approximately 2 miles). This is part of the ongoing US-93 widening effort, which will see the highway transition from two lanes of travel to four to increase mobility and safety in the area.
“The initial phase of this project will take place over the coming month and involve work off of the highway,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Kenny Lively. “Once that is complete, crews will transition to the second phase which will involve widening of the roadway.”
Highway work will first include construction of a new southbound lane and center turn lane on the west side of US-93. Then, an additional northbound and center turn lane will be added to the east side of the highway.
Few impacts to traffic are anticipated during the project. Motorists will be able to utilize the existing lanes of travel during the first part of construction and then the newly constructed lanes during the second part of construction.
“Although the manner in which we are widening this section of US-93 will allow for motorists to largely travel without interruption, it’s still important for drivers to use caution and watch for workers and heavy equipment when traveling through the work zone,” stated Lively.
The public is invited to learn more about redesign concepts for the Interstate 84 Burley and Heyburn Interchanges (exits 208 and 211) in the Magic Valley.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host a public meeting and an online meeting to share plans and gather feedback about interchange improvements.
Built in the early 1960s, the interchanges have reached the end of their service lives. ITD is focused on improving safety, mobility, and economic opportunity for all users who travel these important agricultural and industrial routes.
The interchange redesign project 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.
The public meeting will be hosted in an open house format with members of the project team on hand to gather input and answer questions.
Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Minidoka County Fire Department – 1120 21st Street, Heyburn, ID
If you’re unable to attend the in-person meeting, please participate online where you can review plans and leave a comment 24 hours a day beginning January 27 to February 10, 2022.
To learn more about the project, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/i-84-burley-and-heyburn-interchanges. For additional information or questions, please call or email 208.387.7012 or stephanie.borders@hdrinc.com.
Repairs to a section of railroad east of Jerome will reduce traffic to one lane on U.S. Highway 93 where it crosses the roadway near 300 South Road. These repairs were expected to occur last week but have been rescheduled to tomorrow (Jan. 11).
Additional railroad repairs will also occur in Twin Falls to a section of railroad that crosses State Highway 74/Shoshone Street South near Minidoka Avenue. Repairs in this area will take place on Thursday (Jan. 13).
“We are coordinating with Eastern Idaho Railroad to complete this work which will help maintain functionality of the tracks and signal,” said ITD District Manager Jesse Barrus.
Motorists are advised to slow down and watch for signs and flaggers that will direct drivers through the work zones.
Repairs for each area are expected to be completed in one day
Dependent on weather, crews are expected to begin a week-long inspection of the Perrine Bridge starting Friday, January 7. During the inspection, crews will walk the arch, use an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and deploy ITD’s under-bridge inspection truck (UBIT) along the bridge deck.
Short duration (15 minute) single lane closures will occur each day in the left northbound lane to allow workers to access and exit the lower half of the structure. Traffic will also be reduced to one lane in either direction Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 while crew members utilize the inspection truck.
Work with the UBIT will occur during non-peak hours to help lessen traffic congestion through the area and is expected to follow the below schedule:
– Northbound Right Lane Closure: Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Southbound Right Lane Closure: Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drivers may consider using an alternate route between the hours listed above.
In addition to traffic impacts, base jumping may be subject to restrictions during portions of the inspection. ITD will provide personnel to coordinate with inspection crews and jumpers during regulated periods.
“The Perrine Bridge is a vital structure in the region and serves as a connector for thousands of motorists each day,” said ITD Bridge Inspector Amy Bower. “Inspections and routine maintenance projects play an important role in ensuring the bridge’s longevity for many years to come.”
Drivers are urged to exercise caution and patience near the work zone and watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the cooperation of those driving through the area.
Stock photo shown above.
With snow in the forecast for several regions in the state, the Idaho Transportation Department would like to remind drivers how to travel with plows on the road.
In just the last two weeks, there have been four incidents of drivers striking plows and two incidents of drivers forcing them off the road. This compares to eight plow strikes recorded last year. Most of the collisions have occurred after other drivers tried passing plows on the right.
Drivers should be aware that most ITD trucks have two plows: one on the front, and one that extends from the right side known as a wing plow. Lights alert drivers to the presence of wing plows, but during storms those lights and the wing plows can be obscured by plumes of snow.
So far this winter, plows have been struck in nearly every region of the state:
- On Dec. 9, a plow was hit on Interstate 90 near the Rose Lake exit when a driver tried to pass on the right.
- On Dec. 14, a plow on U.S. Highway 95 near Moscow was forced off the road to avoid hitting a vehicle that had lost control and was in the opposing lane.*
- On Dec. 16, a plow was hit on U.S. Highway 20 near Ashton and on Interstate 84 near Twin Falls. Both incidents involved drivers trying to pass on the right. That same night a plow on US-95 near Winchester was forced off the road to avoid hitting a vehicle that had lost control and was in the opposing lane.
The latest plow strike occurred this morning on I-90 near Osburn. Another vehicle attempted to pass the plow on the right, collided with the wing and forced the plow off the road. The driver then fled the scene. The Idaho State Police are investigating the incident.
To date no one has been injured. However, plows must be checked for any damage before being put back into service, which stretches resources thin with a direct impact to driving conditions.
“This time of year drivers need to take their time and never pass a plow on the right,” said Jerry Wilson, the operations engineer for North Idaho. “Let’s all get home safely.”
Know before you go and check 511.idaho.gov for road conditions before traveling. For winter driving tips, visit itd.idaho.gov/travel.
*Post updated Dec. 23 to reflect that this near-collision occurred on Dec. 17 on Palouse River Drive near the Moscow shed.
