POCATELLO – Beginning this evening at approximately 8:00 p.m. paint crews will be restriping the ramp from I-86 to I-15 southbound. Work will continue through the night and will end at approximately 6:00 am tomorrow. During the restriping work the ramp will be closed and southbound traffic will be detoured through the Northgate Interchange. While it is hoped the work will be completed in one night, there is a possibility the detour will also be used Thursday night to finish striping.
Motorists should carefully follow road signs, obey work zone speed limits, and share the road with other vehicles navigating detours.
POCATELLO – The northwest ramp from I-15 to I-86 reopened this morning at the System Interchange in Pocatello. Traffic heading from I-15 toward Chubbuck and American Falls is no longer detoured through the Northgate Interchange. The detour was needed to lower the ramp so new bridges can be built for I-15 through the System Interchange.
Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while travelling through the construction area. With crews working day and night it is especially important that drivers be alert and proceed safely through the work area. Drivers are encouraged to check https://511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of road conditions and construction. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website — https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-86-i-15-system-interchange/
This project is partially funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. 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.
POCATELLO – Beginning tonight, Tuesday September 6 at 10:00 p.m., the northwest ramp of the System Interchange at Pocatello will be closed for construction. The closure will allow the ramp to be lowered prior to beginning bridge construction.
Motorists travelling north on I-15 wishing to proceed west on I-86 toward Chubbuck will be detoured through the Northgate Interchange. The closure and detour will remain for approximately three weeks until the new ramp is completed.
Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while travelling through the construction area. With crews working day and night it is especially important that drivers be alert and proceed safely through the work area.
Drivers are encouraged to check https://511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of the project detours. Project details are available here on ITD’s projects website — https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-86-i-15-system-interchange/
This project is partially funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. 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.
Motorists travelling north on I-15 wishing to proceed west on I-86 toward Chubbuck will be detoured through the Northgate Interchange.The detour through the Northgate Interchange will exit at Northgate, cross over I-15, and then proceed south on I-15.
POCATELLO – Multiple fires are burning along I-15 at Pocatello. There is also a fire at Malad Summit on I-15. Fire crews are actively working in the areas, but traffic is delayed or blocked. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, watch for and move over for emergency vehicles and check 511.idaho.gov or the ITD 511 app to receive road status updates. The causes of the fires are not yet known.
Drivers should take extra care while driving through Idaho this weekend with fire danger high amid unseasonably warm temperatures. In particular, motorists should:
Ensure tow chains on trailers are not dragging which can cause sparks.
Tires on vehicles and trailers are in good condition for highway driving. A blown tire can cause the wheel rim to kick sparks into dry grass.
Never throw cigarettes or other combustible materials out of a vehicle.
Never throw glass or other litter out of a vehicle. Glass bottles and other objects can reflect or focus the sun’s rays causing ignition.
Do not park your vehicle over dry grasses when you pull off a road. The exhaust and other hot portions of the undercarriage can ignite a fire.
Fire crews responding to one of the fires along I-15A burned area near the southbound lane of I-15Pocatello Fire Department and other agencies quickly responded to the fires.
AMERICAN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department began repairs on two I-86 bridges in Power County this week. The Sunbeam Road and Seagull Bay bridges will both be receiving new roadway surfaces to protect the integrity of the bridges and improve safety. The first phase of the project will progress for one month while the eastbound bridges are resurfaced. The second phase will also last one month as the westbound bridges are similarly repaired. All work is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.
During construction traffic will be moved to one side of the Interstate prior to the bridges and some exiting traffic will be detoured. After the construction area is passed, traffic will cross back over to the regular side of the Interstate to proceed as usual. Motorists should watch closely for signs indicating lane changes, detours, and speed limit reductions.
During the current first phase, eastbound traffic is being crossed over to the westbound side of the Interstate prior to Sunbeam Road at American Falls. Traffic remains two-way on the westbound side of the Interstate until past Seagull Bay Exit 44. Therefore, eastbound Interstate traffic will not be able to use Exit 40 into American Falls and Exit 44 to Seagull Bay. Motorists should instead exit at the west American Falls / Rockland Exit 36 or the Rainbow Road Exit 49.
American Falls residents will still be able to enter I-86 toward Pocatello at the Exit 40 on ramp. They will progress eastbound until the Seagull Bay Exit 44 where they will detour through the exit and then re-enter the Interstate and merge with through traffic as it crosses back over from the westbound lanes.
Performing work on both bridges at the same time reduces costs and effects repairs in the same construction season. Once completed the new surfaces will be smoother and the bridge decks will be protected against further deterioration.
The change will return US-91 (State Street) to a 4-lane road through the city of Preston.
PRESTON – On August 25th the Idaho Transportation Department will begin a $433,000 chip seal coating operation on State Street in Preston. At the request of the city, ITD will also restripe the road to return it to a four-lane configuration. Work will continue until September 9th with a brief pause during the Labor Day weekend.
From the beginning of the project until the 29th there will be no parking on State Street. In addition, there may be up to 15 minute delays for motorists.
Chip sealing, also called seal coating, maximizes the taxpayers’ investment by extending the lifespan of the pavement. A sticky slurry is sprayed on the pavement, rock chips are applied on top of the slurry for a long-lasting seal. Hot, daytime temperatures are needed to ensure a successful application. Chip sealing protects pavement from sun, oxidation, weather, water, oil and gas, and improves friction for drivers.
CHUBBUCK – On Wednesday August 10th the Chubbuck Road overpass will be closed over I-15 to facilitate demolition of the overpass. As part of the “Leading Idaho” program’s I-86/I-15 System Interchange rebuild, the Chubbuck Road crossing will be converted from an overpass to an underpass.
Due to the amount of traffic on I-15, construction of the new underpass will occur in stages while the rest of the project progresses. As such, the new underpass is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024.
This project is partially funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. 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.
The Chubbuck Road detour will take motorists through the Northgate Interchange.
The new design changes Chubbuck Road into an underpass with additional space for pedestrians and bicycle lanes.
Idaho Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” funding initiative paved the way recently for badly needed runway improvements at the Malad City Airport.
Leading Idaho funding supplied 100% of project costs, to the tune of $1.6M.
The project began in September 2021 and finished in late July. It was managed by local airport officials and Idaho’s Division of Aeronautics. The airfield at Malad City is one of 48 community airports statewide that are managed by Aero, which is part of the Idaho Transportation Department.
Malad’s City Airport was at the top of the list for funding due to a runway that only scored a 37 (of 100) in the most recent Pavement Condition Index (PCI) – a rating that translated to “Very Poor.” The PCI is the primary rating tool to determine the level of pavement distress and subsequent need for improvement.
The Malad City Airport is just the first of many small community airports across the state that will utilize these Leading Idaho funds to tackle needed repairs.
“A huge thank you to Governor Little for his Leading Idaho Grant and for the State of Idaho Aeronautics for trusting in Oneida County – Malad Airport with the grant funds to rebuild our runway,” said Malad City Airport Office Manager Roxanne Albretsen. “We are beyond grateful and will maintain and keep it in beautiful condition for years to come!”
Airport Board member Mike Hess, in comments made to the local newspaper, TheIdaho Enterprise, said the biggest beneficiaries of the runway improvement would include “Life Flight first and foremost; saving lives as Malad relies on medical transport in many life-threatening cases.”
Without a well-maintained runway, critical patients must be taken by ambulance to the nearest trauma center, which can often make a significant difference in their medical intervention.
Hess continued, “Firefighting would be next. Almost every year the Forest Service will set up a fire-fighting base there.”
This year’s fire season has not been as extreme as last year’s, but the recent Lemhi County and Yosemite fires suggest the season may have quite a few surprises left, especially as high temperatures and winds are in the forecast for much of August.
Hess also mentioned some less-visible benefits. “Each year, Agricultural spray planes base their operations at the airport for the local agricultural community. There were over 2,200 landings here last year. Many of these will take the Courtesy Car into town and buy lottery tickets and a meal. Many people fly in for other business purposes and/or family visits. Many visitors are flying cross-country and stop to purchase gas, which benefits the county.
The Idaho Department of Commerce has indicated that having a community with rail service, freeway access and an airport are three of the most important considerations new businesses look for when selecting a site.”
As part of Governor 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.
POCATELLO – Preliminary work on the Idaho Transportation Department’s project to rebuild the I-86/I-15 System Interchange is beginning this week. Originally built sixty years ago, the design needs to be updated to handle greater traffic volumes and to replace aging bridges that are reaching the end of their life. Joint venture contractors Sundt-Cannon is expected to begin moving equipment into the project area before the end of the week.
The scale of the endeavor is truly historic and took years to bring to fruition. When completed, approximately 900,000 cubic yards of excavation will be completed. In addition, about 225,000 tons of base material will be brought in; 111,000 tons of asphalt will be placed; and over 6,500 cubic yards of concreate will be poured. 70,000 square feet of retaining walls will also be built throughout the project area. Finally, ITD will build eight new bridges. Four of those will use precast concrete girders and four will have steel girders. In all, nearly 5,000,000 pounds of steel will be used in the bridges. Crews will work year-round for approximately three years to complete the project.
The two most significant changes motorists will see during construction are a detour for traffic travelling from I-15 northbound to I-86 westbound and the closure of the Chubbuck Road overpass.
In early August, northbound traffic from I-15 exiting west toward Chubbuck will be detoured through the Northgate Interchange and back onto I-15 South to then proceed to I-86 West. To maintain traffic for the anticipated 2-year construction of the project, the ramp will need to be lowered prior to beginning bridge construction. This necessitates the ramp closure and detour through the Northgate Interchange. This work should be completed by early September.
The Chubbuck Road overpass will be closed around August 1st, prior to the beginning of the school year, and will remain closed during the duration of the project. Construction will remove the existing bridge, excavate new embankments, and create bridges for I-15 to pass over Chubbuck Road. The final Chubbuck Road design will be easier and safer to navigate for motorists, bicyclist, and pedestrians. During construction motorists will be detoured through the Northgate interchange.
During the first phase of construction traffic from northbound I-15 intending to travel west will be detoured through the Northgate interchange.
While demolition of the Chubbuck Road overpass will not begin immediately, an important concern for the school district and other interested parties was altering bus routes and student driving routes after the beginning of the school year. This could cause unnecessary delays and confusion for buses, faculty, parents, and students.
“The school district had some real concerns about making a change during the school year and we are doing what we can to accommodate them for the safety of the students and smooth operation of the schools,” said project co-manager Zak Johnson.
The $112 million project to rebuild the system interchange is a massive undertaking that requires extensive coordination with many different parties. ITD has been in close contact with city leaders, ISP, the Bannock County Sheriff’s office, emergency response, schools, regional transit, and others to ensure the safety of Idaho citizens and motorists passing through Southeast Idaho.
An important question some in the community express is, why now?
“The aging bridges will continue to get closer and closer to the end of their design lifespan,” said project co-manager Greg Roberts, “They would still be functional, but weight limits would start to have to be imposed on truck traffic. That would negatively impact Pocatello’s economic future.”
That is an important concern for Idaho businesses. Large loads, called “mega-loads”, travel through the Gate City to Montana and west to other regions of Southern Idaho. Local manufacturing companies need to be able to move their products to their customers quickly and safely.
However, it is not just the age of the 1960’s bridges that is a concern. When the System Interchange was built there was almost no development on the east side of I-15. Today the Highland area has subdivisions, a high school, the fairgrounds, and the Wellness Complex. In addition, development at Northgate has begun and will result in even more traffic.
“We can only expect traffic volume to increase and with it congestion,” said Roberts. “That will cause the ‘weave’ between the Pocatello Creek onramp and the Chubbuck exit to get worse. Traffic entering, I-15 intending to head toward Chubbuck already has difficulty during peak times crossing all the way to the left to head west on I-86.”
The issue for drivers now is finding a gap to slip into so they can head west toward Chubbuck.
“That will only get worse if we do nothing,” added Johnson, “Gaps between cars will become smaller and smaller making it more difficult to safely merge. Drivers will be forced to make more aggressive lane changes to head to Chubbuck. That kind of situation increases collisions. We don’t want to wait until things become dangerous and people get hurt.”
Safety is a primary concern for project managers and the contractors as motorists prepare to drive through the work site. “These are our neighbors and family working out there,” said Roberts. “We do everything we can to make the worksite safe, but it’s really important that drivers follow posted speed limits, watch for lane changes and signs, and give other motorists space on the road.”
The Chubbuck Road detour will take motorists through the Northgate Interchange.
Both Roberts and Johnson have seen severe worksite accidents caused by inattentive drivers. In one instance a motorist followed a work truck directly into the work site. Unfortunately, deaths do occur and it is often the result of a motorist that do not take care in a work zone.
“It’s something that never leaves you,” said Johnson as he reflected on a fatality on a previous project. “We do everything we can to keep people safe, but when it happens it’s hard not to take it personally. We just ask everyone to please keep themselves, their families, and their neighbors safe while this project is being completed.”
Once completed, the new System Interchange will be safer and ready to carry the increased traffic volumes for the fastest growing state in America.
This project is partially funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. 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.
This video describes how the new interchange will work and improve mobility and safety for the public – https://youtu.be/KRdVBAyXweA
The new design changes Chubbuck Road into an underpass with additional space for pedestrians and bicycle lanes.Vehicles travelling northbound from Pocatello Creek Road will merge with I-86 traffic on a new ramp. Both lanes will then meet with I-15 northbound traffic near Chubbuck Road.
When completed, westbound traffic from Pocatello Creek Road will pass under I-15 to merge with I-86.
ASHTON – As part of the construction work at the intersection of US-20 and SH-47 in Ashton, the contractor will be blasting rock under the roadway. The blasting operation will occur periodically between July 15 and July 19 in the closed portion of the roadway.
There will be traffic control flaggers on US-20 and SH-47 to manage traffic during these operations.
Motorists should anticipate longer than normal delays during this time. ITD asks all drivers to watch for equipment and workers, follow all traffic signs and flaggers, and reduce speeds to posted limits. It is essential during this operation that motorists keep themselves and workers safe.
The US-20 / SH-47 intersection project consists of a stoplight, new curb and sidewalks, storm sewer work, and pavement. Work is scheduled to be completed in October.
Questions can be directed to HK Contractors at (208) 523-6600.
POCATELLO – The northwest ramp from I-15 to I-86 reopened this morning at the System Interchange in Pocatello. Traffic heading from I-15 toward Chubbuck and American Falls is no longer detoured through the Northgate Interchange. The detour was needed to lower the ramp so new bridges can be built for I-15 through the System Interchange.
