ITD to hold open house about Interstate 15 widening project between the Northgate Interchange and Fort Hall

POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting an open house on June 29 to share information and gather public input about improvements being developed for Interstate 15 (I-15) between the Northgate Interchange (Exit 73) and the Fort Hall Interchange (Exit 80).

“The interstate is in need of improvement as traffic volumes continue to increase in southeast Idaho,” said ITD District 5 Engineering Manager, Eric Staats. “ITD has determined that additional lanes are needed to enhance safety and to meet continued growth and travel demands.”

The I-15 Northgate to Fort Hall Project is part of a multi-year planning process to improve I-15 between Pocatello and Idaho Falls.

“This project between the Northgate Interchange and the Fort Hall Interchange is the first step toward widening I-15 between Pocatello and Idaho Falls,” said Staats. “We would like to get the public’s input on the designs that have been developed for the Northgate to Fort Hall segment.”

The public is invited to stop by the open house anytime between 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, at the Shoshone-Bannock Convention Center, Chief Targhee Room (777 Bannock Road) in Fort Hall. Project staff will be available to discuss the project and proposed design plans.

The same information will also be available online between June 29 – July 14. Participants are invited to review materials and submit comments online. For more information, please visit the project website at https://itdprojects.org/projects/i15northgatetoblackfoot/

Elements of this project are being funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of the Leading Idaho Program. The program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build.

Roadwork to begin in Blackfoot area

Cones in truck

BLACKFOOT – Beginning Monday the Idaho Transportation Department will begin work on pavement preservation projects in the Blackfoot area on Interstate 15 and US Highway 91. Motorists should plan for single lane closures and reduced speed limits in the work zones.

Interstate 15 will receive a micro-surfacing treatment north of the Blackfoot rest area. Micro-surfacing improves and protects the road surface.

On US-91 from Shelley to York Road, ITD will begin chip sealing. Chip sealing, also called seal coating, maximizes the taxpayers’ investment by extending the lifespan of the pavement. Hot temperatures are needed to ensure a successful application. Chip sealing protects pavement from sun, oxidation, weather, water, oil and gas, and improves traction for drivers.

As work progresses, the I-15 Business Loop through Blackfoot will also be improved. All work is scheduled to be completed by mid-July.

Please check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app for the most recent information on road work.

American Falls Interchange 40 westbound on-ramp closed until mid-July

AMERICAN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department has restarted work on I-86 bridges near American Falls. This work necessitates the American Falls Interchange 40 westbound on-ramp to be closed until mid-July. Westbound traffic from American Falls and State Highway 39 is being detoured to Exit 36.

ITD asks all motorists to remember to slow down and obey flaggers and construction signs in construction areas. To be kept up to date on construction, road closures, and road conditions check 511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app.

Idahoans value work zone safety

Cones in truck

The Idaho Transportation Department is joining states across the country for National Work Zone Awareness Week. The national and state campaigns this week are designed to raise awareness and educate the public about the safety measures we can all take in work zones, and how we are all responsible for work zone safety.

From 2017 to 2021, Idaho saw 3,119 crashes in work zones resulting in 36 deaths, stressing the need for this year’s theme: “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.”

This special week includes a schedule of activities; everyone is encouraged to go orange for safety on Wednesday and observe a moment of silence on Friday for those who have died in work zones.

“Work zone safety is drivers and highway workers cooperating together to slow down and improve safety,” said Dan McElhinney, Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer for ITD. “ITD employees and contractors design traffic control with signs, cones, beacons or reduced speed limits to help guide vehicles through these hazard zones, knowing we really appreciate drivers being engaged without distractions for success. Let’s all get home safely every day.”

Work zone crashes are preventable. The top three causes of crashes from 2017 to 2021 were following too closely, distracted or inattentive driving and failing to yield.

Drivers should:

  • Plan ahead – Check 511.idaho.gov before you go to plan your route. Expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible.
  • Slow down– drive the posted speed limits.
  • Pay attention– both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic.

Other safety tips and videos are available at itd.idaho.gov/travel.

Work Zone Awareness poster 2023

Nighttime Work Begins at System Interchange

Construction

POCATELLO – As temperatures warm motorists will see nighttime work starting up again at the System Interchange project in Pocatello. In addition, there will be short-term detours while girders are placed for the new northbound bridge. As of this morning the east to northbound ramp is closed. Traffic is being diverted south to detour through the Pocatello Creek interchange.

Heavy equipment will be moving earth during the night as contractors rebuild the interchange. The excavated earth will be moved on the large conveyor system the Idaho Transportation Department has been using to limit the need for heavy trucks entering and exiting the Interstate within the work zone.

The massive project requires nearly round-the-clock work during summer months to achieve the goals set by ITD for project completion. During the nighttime work nearby businesses and residents may notice more noise from the heavy equipment moving about the worksite.

Detours necessitated by the placement of girders will be updated on 511.idaho.gov or in the 511 app. While this work continues, weather is major factor for the timing of closures. Motorists are encouraged to keep up-to-date via 511.

Motorists should exercise additional care at night to keep everyone safe. ITD asks motorists to keep their eyes on the road, slow down, obey signs, and be patient with other drivers.

The System Interchange project is part of Governor Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative that pays for shovel-ready projects to move forward without delay.

 

SH-36 closed due to mud slides

POCATELLO – At approximately 6:30 pm on Tuesday a mud slide necessitated the closure of SH-36 between Ovid and Preston. Continued warming temperatures resulted in two more slides in the area. As of 2:30 pm Wednesday the highway remains closed north of Mink Creek.

ITD crews are working to clear ditch and culverts to help the spring runoff waters move away from the highway. However, the safety of the travelling public is the primary concern and the road will remain closed until engineers are confident the roadway is safe.

To travel between Preston and Montpelier motorists can detour via SH-34 and US-30.

As Idaho enters the late spring, this winter’s heavy precipitation in the Franklin, Caribou, and Bear Lake Counties presents a significant chance of flooding. Motorists need to be aware of local conditions and not drive through water running over the roadways.

To get the latest updates on road conditions and closures, please check 511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app.

A backhoe works to remove mud from the roadway ITD Employee overlooks a washed-out hillside

ITD railroad bridge replacement to begin in Chubbuck

Construction

POCATELLO – On Monday April 17 the Idaho Transportation Department will begin night work to remove the westbound railroad bridge on I-86, just east of Chubbuck Exit 61. The bridge will be replaced with a wider bridge that will have three lanes. To avoid delaying railroad traffic during the day portions of the demolition will be done at night when fewer trains pass under the bridge. ITD expects the replacement of the railroad bridge to continue into early May.

The bridge replacement will necessitate changes in traffic patterns and increased noise. It is important that drivers slow down in the work zone and provide room for vehicles merging or preparing to take Exit 61 into Chubbuck.

There is no need to demolish the eastbound bridge which has already been widened to three lanes

Weather delays planned lane closures at System Interchange

Construction

POCATELLO – The recent snowstorm has delayed delivery of girders for the new I-15 bridge at the System Interchange in Pocatello. ITD planned to install the girders this weekend, but they could not be safely delivered to Pocatello in time. This means the planned lane closures for this weekend will also be delayed until all of the girders can be safely delivered to Pocatello. When that occurs, ITD will update the public.

To protect Idaho’s workers and other motorists, ITD asks those travelling on Idaho’s highways to follow work zone speed limits, be patient, and plan for extra time to travel to their destinations.

To learn more about the final design of the System Interchange citizens can watch this video: https://youtu.be/KRdVBAyXweA

ITD System Interchange Construction Accelerates

Construction

POCATELLO – With the arrival of spring the Idaho Transportation Department is ramping-up construction at the System Interchange in Pocatello. As part of Governor Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative, the System Interchange is being redesigned to replace aging bridges built in the 1960s and improve traffic safety.

While work at the interchange continued throughout the winter, in the coming week ITD’s contractor will be placing girders for the new I-15 northbound bridge. This will necessitate rolling slowdowns, delays, and short detours around the I-86 to I-15 ramp leading from Chubbuck toward Blackfoot.

Additionally, as work progresses into the first week of April the Chubbuck Road bridge will be demolished. This will be done in stages with traffic detoured through Chubbuck at night. The first closure will be for northbound traffic and the second for southbound I-15 traffic.

Other projects will also see ramped-up operations including the Fort Hall Interchange and bridge work on I-86. With unprecedented funding made available for construction, Idaho motorists will continue to see increased activity on Idaho’s highways.

To protect Idaho’s workers and other motorists, ITD asks those travelling on Idaho’s highways to follow work zone speed limits, be patient, and plan for extra time to travel to their destinations.

To learn more about the final design of the System Interchange citizens can watch this video https://youtu.be/KRdVBAyXweA

American Falls drop-in meeting scheduled March 7 for Intersection of Pocatello Avenue and SH-39

I-86

AMERICAN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department will host an informal drop-in meeting for the planned improvement of the Intersection of Pocatello Avenue and SH-39. Project staff will be on hand to answer questions on March 7 from 4:30-6:30 at the American Falls District Library, 308 Roosevelt Street.

ITD is planning to improve safety, traffic flow, and mobility at the intersection with a Continuous Green T design. The Green T will allow continuous movements everywhere except at the stop sign in the northbound lane of Pocatello Avenue.

While ITD initially considered a roundabout at the intersection, further review and community input resulted in a design change to a Green T which lessens the turning movements for most of the trucking traffic on SH-39. The design also makes it easier for large farm equipment to navigate the intersection.

The federally funded $3.25 million project is planned for 2025. During construction some lane closures will occur.