Category: South-Central

On Wednesday (June 1) drivers can expect a lane restriction and delays on State Highway 50 across the Hansen Bridge as the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) performs a routine inspection of the structure.

Weather permitting, the inspection is expected to last one day and will include examination of the girders as well as the top and underside of the bridge deck.

“Our crew will be using an under bridge inspection truck, or UBIT, to look at the structure,” ITD inspector Toby Griffin stated. “If high wind conditions occur during our planned inspection date, it will require us to reschedule for another day.”

Crews are expected to begin at 8 a.m. and move from the south end of the structure to the north. While the UBIT is deployed, traffic will be reduced to a single lane. Drivers should watch for flaggers and expect minor delays of up to 10 minutes. There will also be a 12-foot width restriction in effect during work hours.

“The Hansen Bridge is a vital structure in the region and serves as an important connector for motorists each day,” Griffin said. “Inspections and routine maintenance projects play an important role in ensuring the longevity of our bridges throughout the state.”

Motorists are urged to use caution when crossing the bridge and to watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the patience and cooperation of those driving through the work zone.

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin aerial surveys this week north of Twin Falls. The surveys are preliminary work related to an upcoming study that will look further into the feasibility of a potential future Snake River crossing in the region.

Surveyors will work at several locations in the area.

Part of the work will require crews to paint ground targets on city streets. The targets will serve as reference points and provide an elevation and location to compare with all gathered survey points.

“Targets will be placed on Bridgeview Boulevard near Sportsman’s Warehouse, Cheney Drive near WinCo, and Candleridge Drive east of Eastland Drive,” explained ITD Project Manager Nathan Jerke. “The paint will not conflict with any other roadway striping and will wear off the road surface over time.”

Short-term lane closures will be in place while crews place the targets on the roadway and complete other minor tasks. No major traffic impacts are anticipated.

Weather permitting, survey work is expected to be complete within two weeks.

Work will resume next week on State Highway 75 north of Hailey. This is the final stage of a highway resurfacing project that has been underway since March of this year that will extend the life of the roadway and improve the driving experience for motorists.

“On Monday, we are planning to start paving work at Ohio Gulch Road and move south along the highway to Buttercup Road,” ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé explained. “Once that portion of roadway is complete, we will continue operations south but will need to detour traffic to safely complete the work.”

When work south of Buttercup Road occurs, daytime traffic traveling northbound on SH-75 will be detoured from McKercher Boulevard to Buttercup Road. The detour is expected to begin on Thursday (May 19) and last for approximately two weeks.

“Ours crews will not work during the Memorial Day weekend to allow for heavier traffic to flow more smoothly through the region,” stated Dillé.

Once paving operations are complete, striping will occur. At the intersection of SH-75 and Ohio Gulch Road/Starweather Drive, a new lane configuration will be implemented to better accommodate traffic flow. No other striping changes will occur within the project limits.

Motorists are advised to slow down, watch for workers and follow traffic signs when traveling through the work zone.

Western Construction is the primary contractor on this project that is expected to be complete in early June.

Members of the public are invited to learn more about upcoming construction plans that are scheduled to begin this spring on U.S. Highway 93 (Blue Lakes Boulevard) in Twin Falls.

Next Thursday (May 19), the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host a public meeting and an online meeting to share plans about construction that will occur over the coming months on Blue Lakes Boulevard from the Perrine Bridge to Pole Line Road.

The project includes replacing the pavement, upgrading pedestrian ramps to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, and replacing the traffic signal at the Blue Lakes Boulevard and Fillmore Street/Bridgeview Boulevard intersection.

The meeting will be hosted in a drop-in, open house format. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions and share information about construction plans and impacts.

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2022
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Twin Falls High School
1615 Filer Ave. E, Twin Falls

For individuals unable to attend the in-person meeting, please join the self-guided online meeting beginning May 20 at itdprojects.org/projects/us-93improvements. An online comment form will be available for questions and comments.

To learn more about the project and sign up for construction updates, please visit the project website at 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.

Signal work is expected to begin next week at the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard (U.S. Highway 93) and Fillmore Street/Bridgeview Boulevard. This is part of a larger pavement rehabilitation project scheduled to occur this summer on Blue Lakes Boulevard from the Perrine Bridge to Pole Line Road.

In the coming weeks, crews will complete preliminary foundation work on the traffic signal. A total signal replacement will occur at the intersection after the paving on US-93 is finished later this summer.

“Being able to start the initial foundation work now will help expedite the construction timeline and further reduce impacts to motorists traveling through this busy corridor this summer,” said ITD Project Manager Steve Hunter.

No lane adjustments or changes to current traffic patterns will occur with the signal replacement.

“We are not altering how motorists travel through the intersection, just replacing the traffic signal, foundation, and associated components,” stated Hunter.

Motorists are encouraged to watch for lane reductions and crews in the area. Most signal work will occur during daytime hours.

In conjunction with the signal replacement, ITD will improve the pavement on Blue Lakes Boulevard starting in June. More details about construction will be shared at an upcoming public meeting.

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2022
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Open House Format)
Location: Twin Falls High School
1615 Filer Ave. E, Twin Falls

For individuals not able to attend the meeting in person, an online option will be available on the project website.

To learn more about the 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.

On Monday (May 2), a closure is expected to begin at the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 and 100 S Road that will prevent drivers from accessing the highway from the west side. This is part of the ongoing widening project, which will transition the highway from two lanes to four to increase mobility and traffic flow in the area.

“Closing 100 South Road at US-93 will allow crews to tie the new roadway alignment into the existing approach,” said ITD Project Manager Jake Turrittin. “Through traffic on US-93 will not be impacted, but drivers will not be able to turn onto or from the western approach of 100 S Road.”

The closure is expected to be in place for approximately two weeks. An additional closure will be required for the east side of 100 S at a later date.

While crews tie in the new alignment, construction of the new southbound lanes will also continue. Motorists can anticipate minor delays and are encouraged to plan ahead if commuting through the area. Signage will also be in place to safely direct those traveling through the work zone.

Drivers are advised to use caution and watch for workers and heavy equipment entering and exiting the highway.

“This project will improve safety at the US-93 and 100 South intersection for both passenger and commercial vehicles,” explained Turrittin. “The end result will be a divided highway similar to what drivers encounter one mile south of this area.”

Idaho Materials and Construction is the prime contractor for this project, which is expected to be completed this fall.