ITD recognizes J.R. Simplot Company as Adopt-A-Highway group of the year for Southeast Idaho

The Idaho Transportation Department awarded the Adopt-A-Highway Group of the Year Award for Southeast Idaho to J. R. Simplot Company and employees on Friday morning during the board meeting held in Pocatello.

The Simplot team has adopted a section of U.S. Highway 30 from milepost 330 to 332 since 2005. On average, 37 Simplot employees work together twice a year to pick up more than 1,600 pounds of litter. Items they’ve cleaned up have included car hoods, magazines, clothing, and a full box of “creepy-faced” baby dolls. Environmental Specialist Jeanene Lowry and Environmental Manager Jesse King were there to receive the award.

“We would like to thank the ITD, and all program administrators, which have made this program possible,” said Lowry. “The Adopt-A-Highway Program has enriched the Don Plant. The laughter and camaraderie that we have developed while picking up trash has had a lasting and invaluable impact on our employees. We have found the highway cleanup program to be a natural team-building activity that has positively impacted every aspect of production. It has given our Waste Minimization Team additional purpose and focus, especially in support of our ‘think outside the plant’ stewardship and sustainability goals.”

Idaho’s roadsides are indebted to Idaho’s Centennial Celebration in 1990 and the “Idaho is Too Great to Litter” campaign to help keep them clean. The Adopt-A-Highway program is a continuation of that campaign.

Volunteer groups “adopt” a specific stretch of highway – usually two miles long – and take responsibility for keeping it clean through regular litter patrols throughout the year.

ITD estimates that the program saves about $750,000 annually by using volunteer labor – in 35 years that adds up to about $26 million. More than 5.5 million pounds of trash and debris have been removed from Idaho’s roadsides through the program. The savings are redirected to highway construction and needed maintenance to improve Gem State roads and bridges.

There are more than 1,000 active volunteer groups participating in the statewide program. More than half of Idaho’s highways have been adopted. There are still many opportunities for other groups and individuals to get involved. Those interested in helping keep Idaho’s roads clear of litter can apply online at https://itd.idaho.gov/road-mtce/?target=volunteer-activities

Construction near US-91 and Breneman Street in Chubbuck

Beginning Monday, the Idaho Transportation Department will build a traffic island on U.S. Highway 91 (Yellowstone Avenue) at Bullock Street in Chubbuck to reinforce existing restrictions that prohibit unsignalized left turns onto Bullock Street.

Yellow tubular markers will be removed and replaced with the concrete island over the next two weeks, depending on weather.

During construction, the southbound left turn lane from Yellowstone Avenue to Breneman Street and businesses like Walmart will be closed. The leftmost northbound lane on Yellowstone will also be closed to provide enough room for crews to work.

Crack sealing planned for Yellowstone Avenue in Pocatello

Photo of crack sealing operation on a highway.

The Idaho Transportation Department has begun crack sealing US-91 in Pocatello. Work began Monday on 5th Street and has continued onto 4th Street. Crack sealing north through Pocatello on Yellowstone Avenue will continue as weather permits.

“Once we reach Cedar Street, we will shift to nighttime work to minimize disruption to businesses,” said Pocatello Foreman Anthony Richards. “Other than where the pavement is concrete, we’re planning on continuing north all the way to Walmart.”

The sealant prevents water from entering the pavement causing further erosion and extending the lifespan of the road

Motorists should expect single lane closures in the work zone.

Drivers are encouraged to use the Idaho 511 system for traffic impact updates for this project, and all ITD projects statewide.

Open house Thursday, March 6, to share preliminary design plans to improve US-91

Drone photo of Siphon Road north of Chubbuck

The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting an open house on Thursday, March 6, to share information and gather community input about plans to improve U.S. Highway 91 between Siphon Road and Reservation Road to address increased growth.

The public is invited to view preliminary design plans in person from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Tyhee Elementary School at 12743 W. Tyhee Road in Chubbuck. Community members are encouraged to stop by to learn about the project and provide feedback. Project staff will be available to answer questions.

Preliminary design plans currently include:

Widening US-91 between Siphon Road and Tyhee Road to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane between Siphon Road and Tyhee Road.
Resurfacing US-91 between Tyhee Road and Reservation Road.
Improving residential access in the project area.

Those who are unable to attend in person are invited to view identical project information online and comment from March 6 to March 20 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us91-siphontoreservation.

“ITD recognizes how vital US-91 is to the Chubbuck area, and we want to be prepared as growth in the area continues,” Project Manager Bo Frasure said. “Input from the community will be essential as we move forward on this project.”

More information about the US-91 Siphon Road to Reservation Road project is available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us91-siphontoreservation.

I-15 Inkom corridor construction and detour begins Monday

The Idaho Transportation Department and its construction partner Wadsworth Brothers Construction is beginning reconstruction of Interstate 15 at Inkom.

Work will replace I-15 bridges in three locations:

Over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks and Old Highway 91.
Over Rapid Creek Road (Main Street).
I-15 bridges and reconstructing the West Interchange.

ITD combined and streamlined the projects to reduce the construction timeline to approximately two years rather than doing one location at a time over three years. This approach minimizes disruption to the local community and the traveling public and efficiently uses construction funds.

Old Highway 91 will be closed under I-15 beginning Monday, weather and other factors permitting, to allow Idaho Power to relocate utilities. Local access will be allowed. Other drivers will be detoured along Rapid Creek Road (Main Street). The detour will remain in place until mid-June.

I-15 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction from early March until late October.

For project progress and to sign up for construction updates, go to the project webpage at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i15-inkom-corridor. Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours.

System Interchange project enters final year of construction

Photograph showing I-15 southbound lane during construction.

The Idaho Transportation Department’s $112 million rebuild of the System Interchange for Interstate 86 and Interstate 15 at Pocatello is entering its final year of construction with crews working in multiple areas throughout the worksite.

Five bridges were built in the last year, bringing the project total up to eight new structures. Two of the new bridges are steel and measure 414 feet long each. The other three bridges are concrete and measure a total of 387 feet in length. The construction of these bridges included 725 feet of 8-foot diameter concrete shafts installed underground for bridge foundations. In addition, 10,000 feet of steel piles were also driven underground for bridge foundations.

The massive project registered other impressive statistics in 2024:

247,319 cubic yards of dirt moved.
143,500 tons of structural dirt imported.
4,000 cubic yards of concrete poured.
55,894 tons of asphalt placed.
568,862 pounds of metal reinforcement installed.

In the coming year several items will be completed to button up the project.

The new southbound-to-westbound ramp will be completed.
The old northbound-to-westbound ramp will be removed.
The temporary southbound-to-westbound ramp will be removed.
The roadway north of the Pocatello Creek on-ramp will be built to its final grade. This will allow movement from Pocatello Creek to Chubbuck and remove the detour currently in place.
The new Chubbuck Road underpass roadway will be completed.
A chip seal will be applied to extend the life of the new asphalt pavement installed by the project, and the road will be restriped to its final lane configuration.
Bridge approaches will be smoothed out to remove bumps made during construction.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in August.

“We appreciate the community’s patience as ITD continues to work with the contractor to button up work items and complete the remaining tasks for this historic project,” Project Manager Greg Roberts said. “ITD is excited to see the travelling public use this updated system interchange for years to come.”

Originally built in the 1960s, the I-86 and I-15 System Interchange is undergoing a rebuild to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night at the System Interchange it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.

Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-86i-15-system-interchange.

ITD secures grant to build wildlife underpasses

Photograph of a mule deer looking to cross the highway while a semi truck passes by

The Idaho Transportation Department recently secured $20.8 million in grant funding to build three wildlife underpasses near Montpelier. These improvements will increase drivers’ safety on U.S. Highway 30 at Rocky Point between Montpelier and the Wyoming border, with construction anticipated in 2026.

The project aims to mitigate wildlife-vehicle conflict points with wildlife underpasses built where the highway crosses a regional mule deer migration route. This 20-mile section of US-30 can incur more than 100 mule deer collisions with vehicles each year, with about 70% of those carcasses being reported in the four-mile section (milepost 443-447) known as Rocky Point. Besides making the highway safer for drivers, the new structures will protect the migration corridor and ensure connectivity between crucial seasonal mule deer habitat.

The three wildlife underpasses will be coupled with about 6 road miles of 8-foot-tall wildlife fencing to “funnel” migrating wildlife toward the underpasses. The funding is part of $125 million in federal grants also announced in December for wildlife crossing projects in 16 states.

“We are excited to get this project fully-funded and built,” Environmental Planner Alissa Salmore said. “Local citizens and our Montpelier crew have been asking for a solution here for decades. It will be good to finally deliver this project, both for people and for wildlife.”

Salmore, with key contributions from the ITD team and Idaho Fish and Game as a partner agency, developed the application package for submittal to the FHWA Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program over the past year. The grant covers about 98% of the construction costs for the trio of underpasses. An additional $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund a portion of the fencing to connect two of the structures in the heart of the mule deer travel route.

There are significant benefits to the project beyond ITD’s interest. Idaho Fish and Game also has a strong interest in resolving the conflict between the highway traffic and the regional Bear Lake Plateau mule deer herd’s migration path. The Bear Lake Plateau mule deer herd is a key piece of southeastern Idaho’s economy, bringing thousands of hunters and wildlife enthusiasts to stay and recreate in the area every year. The mule deer migration encompasses parts of Wyoming and Utah as well as Idaho, so those states will also see a benefit from reducing the wildlife-vehicle collision rate at Rocky Point.

Each year, more than one million wildlife-vehicle collisions are estimated to impact motorists and wildlife in the U.S. Wildlife-vehicle collisions involving large animals result in approximately 200 human fatalities and 26,000 injuries to drivers and their passengers each year. These collisions also cost the public more than $10 billion annually. This includes economic costs, such as loss of income, medical costs, property damage, and more. Highways can threaten wildlife populations by fragmenting habitats, creating barriers to safe movement, and causing mortality due to wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Chubbuck Road re-opens to Highland area

Photograph of the new Chubbuck Road underpass.

The long-awaited reopening of Chubbuck Road has come and traffic is once again flowing from Chubbuck to the Highland area. The Idaho Transportation Department opened the road Friday afternoon to through traffic. However, the new underpass will still require a brief closure next summer to open the road up for pedestrian access.

The Chubbuck Road overpass, built in 1962 was an impediment to large loads travelling north and south on Interstate 15. As part of the System Interchange project the decision was made to transform Chubbuck Road into an underpass with additional facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. That change necessitated a two-year closure for demolition and the construction of two new bridges to carry I-15 over Chubbuck Road.

Now that the new underpass is open to vehicle traffic, residents in Chubbuck wishing to travel to the Portneuf Wellness Complex or Highland High School will no longer be detoured through the Northgate Interchange.

“We really appreciate the public’s patience during this process,” said Project Manager Zak Johnson. “We’re really excited to have Chubbuck Road open to vehicle traffic again.”

While the road is now open for cars there is expected to be a short closure this summer for approximately two weeks so crews can complete the underpass lanes, curbing and sidewalks.

Originally built in the 1960s, the I-86 and I-15 System Interchange is undergoing $112 million of redesign work to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure.

Motorists should follow all signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night at the System Interchange it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.

Planning is underway to improve the I-15 South Blackfoot Interchange (Exit 89)

Aerial photo of south Blackfoot interchange

The Idaho Transportation Department has begun the planning process to improve the South Blackfoot Interchange at Exit 89. The South Blackfoot Interchange has served motorists since 1961. Since then, eastern Idaho’s population and traffic volumes have greatly increased.

At this interchange, Interstate 15 crosses over U.S. Highway 91 on the Fort Hall Reservation. The interchange is in an area of I-15 that is heavily used for commercial, residential and recreational travel. To improve safety and mobility for motorists, it is necessary for ITD to replace the interchange with a design that has increased capacity and meets current standards.

Project plans currently include:

Lengthening ramps to improve safety.
Adding a dedicated exit lane to off-ramps to improve ramp operations.
Adjusting the interchange to accommodate future additional lanes on I-15.

Improvements to this interchange will be developed and designed based on traffic and other technical data, an environmental evaluation, surveying, and input from the public. The planning, design and environmental evaluation stage of the project is expected to be completed in 2026. Construction of the improvements is anticipated to begin in 2030, depending on the availability of further funding. This project is utilizing both state and federal funding.

ITD will provide multiple opportunities for the public to learn more about the I-15 South Blackfoot Interchange project throughout project development, including a public open house and pop-up meetings in early 2025. For more information visit the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-15-corridor or call 208-252-5553.

ITD is on the job plowing snow: Here’s what you should know

Snowplow on SH-28 plowing snow and creating a plume to the side.

With snowy conditions foreseeably here to stay, the Idaho Transportation Department is committed to keeping motorists safe. In eastern Idaho, maintenance crews are now working around the clock shifts from the Utah to Montana state lines as needed.

These 17 crews across eastern Idaho keep more than 4,300 lane miles of state highways and interstates as clear as possible all winter long. Plowing that amount of roadway means patience and caution from the public are important.

“We have high confidence in our plow teams,” ITD Operations Engineer Jeremie Pettingill said. “Winter driving does take some planning though. Slow down and be aware. Know that we’re prepared and doing the very best we can.”

ITD aims to keep roads bare 70% of the time during storms. The wind conditions in east Idaho often make that unrealistic and are the primary cause of road closures through the winter.

Closures are put in place only when conditions are unsafe. Roads are also only closed as long as necessary. Closures allow operators to be more efficient getting snow cleaned up, braving the elements as they do.

ITD reminds motorists across east Idaho to use common safe winter driving practices:

Brush and scrape your windows before driving. Starting the defrost in your vehicle well before you leave is very helpful.
Slow way down! Speed limits are based on ideal conditions and aren’t appropriate during winter weather.
Maintain substantial distance between yourself and other drivers—don’t follow closely.
Stay calm and don’t make sudden wheel movements in icy conditions.
Don’t use cruise control in the winter.
Obey posted road closure signs and lights—finding a back way to access closed roads is dangerous and delays plow work to get them re-opened! Remember roads are only closed for good reason. Unexpected traffic and crashes significantly delay getting the road re-opened.
Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle with supplies like water, lights, warm clothes and blankets, etc.
When you see plows, give them room to work. That means leaving plenty of following distance, not crowding them and letting them lead the way. Last winter, 17 plow strike occurred across Idaho, most often due to drivers attempting to pass.
Know before you go by checking conditions at 511.idaho.gov or on the Idaho 511 app. Cameras can show you exactly what to expect on certain roadways, and conditions are updated multiple times a day.