Category: South-Central

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites members of the public to attend a public meeting next Tuesday to review preliminary design plans for segments of State Highway 75 between Bellevue and Timber Way. This project is funded by Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.

“Our design plans build upon input from stakeholders dating back to 2008, so we’re not starting from scratch but rather updating our previous findings,” ITD Project Manager Mark Campbell stated. “Over the last year, we have refreshed traffic projections and our safety analysis and are currently assessing potential impacts to social and environmental resources.”

Proposed plans are too extensive to build in one project, so this effort will create shovel-ready projects that can be constructed as soon as funding is identified. Specific design elements under consideration for future projects include widening the highway, improving select intersections, and evaluating pedestrian/bike underpasses and transit pullouts.

The open house will be held in Hailey on Tuesday, November 15, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Campus Building at 1050 Fox Acres Road. Individuals are welcome to drop in anytime to review displays, speak with members of the project team, and provide comments on the project.

There will also be a self-guided online meeting option for those who are not able to attend. The online meeting will be available from November 15 to December 15 on the project website at itdprojects.org/projects/timmerman-to-timber-way-project.

“The comments we receive will help us refine potential design solutions,” Campbell said. “We encourage people to find the most convenient way to comment on the preliminary design options we’re presenting.”

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

For more information on the project, to provide comment, or to reach a member of the project team, please visit the project website, email info@sh75.com, or call (760) 831-6227.

This Friday (Oct. 28), crews will close one eastbound lane on I-84 to place concrete barrier along the shoulder. Placement of the barrier is necessary to protect workers during construction of the new Port of Entry (POE) facility east of Declo.

Approximately three miles will be impacted with work taking place between milepost 217 and 2020. Both westbound lanes will remain open.

“This closure is expected to be short in duration,” ITD Project Manager John Keifer said. “We anticipate that work will be completed in one day, but it may extend into Monday if necessary.”

The new POE location on I-84 will facilitate more efficient trucking operations through advanced technology and will meet current federal compliance standards.

Elements of the new facility will include: new on and off ramps, support of utility infrastructure, scales with weigh-in-motion and automated vehicle identification technologies, video equipment, luminaries, signage and operations office buildings.

Drivers are advised to slow down, drive engaged and pay attention to signage in the area. Individuals can also check 511.idaho.gov for more information on road conditions and restrictions throughout the state.

Knife River is the general contractor on this project.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites members of the community to review and provide input on design plans for State Highway 75 between Elkhorn Road and River Street. Individuals can join members of the project team in person on Oct. 11 or participate online from Oct. 11 – 25.

The in-person meeting will be held at the Limelight Hotel (151 Main St. S, Ketchum) on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Community members can drop in anytime to view project information, see design plans and speak with the project team.

The self-guided online discussion will be open from Oct. 11 – 25 at itdprojects.org/projects/Idaho-75. The online meeting will include a short welcome video as well as project information and design plans. Participants will have the opportunity to provide input and see comments from other community members.

This project aims to increase capacity and improve safety along the highway in response to growth and development in recent years that has increased congestion. Plans include widening the highway between Elkhorn Road and River Street, rebuilding the Trail Creek Bridge and improving drainage and other infrastructure.

ITD received feedback from the public during two other community discussions in 2020 and 2021. This will be the third community discussion for this project.

“We are happy to be moving forward with design plans for each of the three segments in this corridor,” ITD Project Manager Nathan Jerke stated. “We’re grateful for all those who have participated in our previous community discussions and we look forward to meeting with the community again.”

Comments may be submitted via the project website or by calling (208) 886-7809, emailing nathan.jerke@itd.idaho.gov or sending mail to the Idaho Transportation Department (216 S Date St., Shoshone, ID 83352) at the attention of Nathan Jerke.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is conducting a study to evaluate potential transportation improvements to address congestion and mobility at existing Snake River crossings that connect Twin Falls and Jerome counties.

The study will look at a range of alternatives such as improvements to the existing road network, an additional crossing over the Snake River, new roadway connections, and potential traffic routing. The study will be ongoing through early 2023.

“With tremendous growth in communities on both sides of the canyon, and the unique challenges created by the canyon, effective infrastructure is key to mobility and economic opportunity in the region,” ITD project manager Nathan Jerke said. “The project team is working closely with local jurisdictions and key stakeholders to analyze data with a goal to find a solution that works for the entire region.”

Over the coming months, ITD will work with an executive team made up of local elected officials, a technical committee comprised of roadway and engineering staff, and key stakeholders. These groups will work toward the goal of developing alternatives and proposed actions to reduce congestion and address future transportation needs.

To learn more about the study and to find out about upcoming opportunities for public input, sign up for email updates by visiting itdprojects.org/snakerivercrossing or contact the study team at info@snakerivercrossing.com.

Work is expected to begin Monday (July 25) on a highway construction project in Rupert. The primarily focus of this project is to restore the condition of State Highway 24 and State Highway 25 in the area.

“These highways have long served as major connections between Interstate 84 and the cities of Paul, Rupert, Acequia, and Minidoka,” said ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé. “Upcoming work will improve both the safety and driving experience for motorists.”

During construction, the intersection at Oneida Street and East 8th Street will be reconfigured to provide better traffic flow. Stormwater repairs and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades will also occur on pedestrian ramps.

“In addition to work on the roadway, Eastern Idaho Railroad will also make improvements to its system in this area,” Dillé stated.

While work is underway, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction. Access points for the highway and the intersection at Oneida/East 8th streets will be temporarily closed for a portion of the project.

“We will not permanently remove any access points and will work to minimize the duration of any closures that occur,” said Dillé. “Motorists should plan for extra time when commuting through the area and be on the lookout for signs and flaggers when traveling through the work zone.”

Idaho Materials and Construction is the primary contractor on this project that is expected to be complete early fall.

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 this 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.

Work is expected to restart next Friday (July 15) on a highway rehabilitation project in Lincoln County. Approximately six miles of U.S. Highway 93/U.S. Highway 26 from Marley Road to Jim Byrne Slough (milepost 177.5-182.8) will undergo construction to improve both the safety and driving experience for motorists in the area.

“Earlier this year, before water was flowing in the irrigation system, crews replaced irrigation structures along the roadway,” said ITD Project Manager Tom Logan. “Upcoming work will address the surface of the roadway.”

Construction this month will start with the removal of rock knobs along the highway in three areas south of Richfield.

“Removal of rock will even out the hilly profile of the roadway,” Logan explained. “This will increase sight distance for motorists and improve safety.”

While this earthwork occurs, traffic will be reduced to a single lane. Temporary traffic signals will be in place and motorists should anticipate 4-5 minute delays when traveling through the area.

The last phase of construction will involve milling and repaving the existing surface of the highway. During that portion of work, pilot cars and flaggers will be present to direct motorists during working hours – Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Western Construction is the primary contractor on this project that is expected to be complete late summer.

Weather permitting, on Monday (June 27) the Idaho Transportation Department will begin sealcoating multiple portions of roadway throughout the region to preserve the pavement.

“Throughout the next month, we will sealcoat approximately 82 miles of highway,” said ITD Engineering Manager Travis Hitchcock. “The sealcoat will both protect the surface of the roadway and provide better traction for drivers.”

Work will occur on five highways in the South-central Idaho region:

• State Highway 24 (milepost 32 – 68)
  • State Highway 25 (milepost 5 – 18)
  • State Highway 46 (milepost 111 – 130)
  • State Highway 50 (milepost 5 – 8)
  • U.S. Highway 26 (milepost 139 – 150)

While work is underway, roadways will be reduced to a single lane. Both lanes will be open to traffic outside of working hours.

Motorists should anticipate short delays and watch for the presence of flaggers and pilot cars during the day.

Sealcoating is a surface treatment that takes place during the summer months and involves applying a layer of oil and rock chips to the roadway. The process requires hot temperatures and dry weather for chips to properly adhere to the oil.

Chips placed during sealcoats have the potential to cause windshield damage so drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay attention to reduced speeds and no-passing zones throughout the work area.

Geneva Rock Products Inc. is the primary contractor on this project which is expected to be complete by the end of July.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead for temporary daytime lane reductions on Blue Lakes Boulevard this week as part of the continuing pavement rehabilitation project in Twin Falls.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and its contractor, Idaho Materials & Construction, will be working 24 hour shifts to safely reopen all lanes of traffic from the Perrine Bridge to Pole Line Road. Unforeseen issues with stormwater drainage in the construction zone are requiring temporary daytime closures.

“Safety is our top priority, and ITD is working closely with IMC to reopen lanes during the day, and continue work during overnight hours as planned,” said ITD Resident Engineer Seth Helms. “ITD appreciates commuters for their patience during this important work.”

For the latest traffic updates, please visit 511.idaho.gov or call 511.

To learn more about this project and sign up for construction updates, please visit itdprojects.org/us-93improvements.