Category: East

POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department will direct all traffic on southbound I-15 to use Exit 98 on the nights of Sept. 19-20 during construction at the Rose Road Interchange.

A detour will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. both nights. All traffic on southbound I-15 will be directed to use the off-ramp at Exit 98, and then to use the southbound on-ramp at Exit 98 to continue on I-15. All Exit 98 ramps and Rose Road will remain open.

The nighttime restrictions will allow contractors to demolish the southbound side of the old Rose Road Bridge over I-15. In early October, the contractor will demolish the northbound side.

This work is a part of a project to reconstruct the interchange at Rose Road (Exit 98) on Interstate 15. The interchange is expected to open later this year with additional construction activities to be completed in spring 2020.

More information about the $10.8 million I-15, Rose Road Interchange project is available at itdprojects.org/rose. Citizens may sign up for email updates by texting INTERSTATE 15 to 22828 or emailing I-15construction@itd.idaho.gov.

ASHTON – Following a speed study of traffic on US-20 through the city of Ashton, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is recommending several safety improvements. This will include installing flashing yellow lights, school zone signs and reducing speeds while school is in session.

ITD has already made several safety improvements at the intersection of ID-47 and US-20. ITD crews have installed a flashing “stop ahead” warning sign, a flashing stop sign and rumble strips to alert drivers approaching the intersection on ID-47.

After conducting and finalizing the engineering analysis for US-20 through Ashton, ITD has determined the speed limit should only drop to 35 mph during transition times for school. During the rest of the day, the speed will remain at 45 mph.

ITD must be consistent statewide and ensure speed limits are set according to Idaho law.

In 2012, the Idaho Legislature passed HB619 directing ITD and the Idaho Transportation Board to set speed limits on state highways within city limits. The legislation says, in part, “In establishing speed limits within city limits, ITD must do an investigation and base posted speeds on sound traffic engineering safety standards.”

Nationwide, traffic analyses for speed limits include the determination of the 85^th percentile. This means traffic data is collected to determine what speed the majority of drivers are comfortable traveling.

“When speed limits are not set at the speed drivers are traveling, there is a greater chance for speed variance between vehicles,” said ITD Eastern Idaho Engineering Manager Wade Allen. “Reducing the speed limit below the 85^th percentile speed can result in conditions that are unsafe.”

The US-20 speed study in Ashton included a thorough analysis of crash rate, traffic volumes, road condition, access points, number of lanes, bicycle/pedestrian use and roadside development along US-20 through the city of Ashton.

ITD is committed to make additional safety improvements to the intersection, including installing flashing lights on speed limit reduction (65 mph to 45 mph) signs, and installing dynamic “Your Speed” signs for southbound traffic (northbound sign already exists).

ITD also has a future project to add a signal light at the intersection of US-20 and ID-47, which is currently scheduled for Fiscal Year 2023.

For more information, please click on the following links to learn more about how ITD sets speed limits and to see the ITD Speed Limit brochure.

ASHTON – Through Aug. 30, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will be making safety improvements to the intersection of Idaho Highway 47 and US-20 through the city of Ashton.

Crews will install a flashing stoplight on ID-47 at the intersection, install rumble strips to alert drivers approaching the intersection, and the department will be reducing the speed limit on US-20 through Ashton from 45 mph to 35 mph. Future safety plans for the area include installing flashing school zone warning signs on US-20 through the city.

ITD first programmed a traffic signal at the intersection of US-20 and ID-47 at the request of the city. It was pushed back from 2020 to 2023, though, due to unforeseen issues during project design. Primary among those issues, the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) considers the Frostop Root Beer Sign(picture from East Idaho News) at that location to be historic, so ITD has been working directly with SHPO to ensure that impacts are mitigated as much as possible.

The eventual project is estimated to cost $1.5 million.

ASHTON – Starting Tuesday, August 6, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) maintenance crews will lay intermittent asphalt overlays on Idaho Highway 47 between Marysville and Warm River to extend the life of the roadway. The project is expected to finish by Thursday, August 15.

Flaggers will be present and detour traffic as needed until construction is completed. Traffic delays could be up to an hour wait, so motorists are encouraged to consider taking an alternate route.

Travelers are advised to please watch for and follow traffic detour signs, drive safely and check  511.idaho.gov for current construction and traveler information.

NEWDALE – On Wednesday, July 31, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) maintenance crews will lay about two-miles of asphalt pavement on Idaho Highway 33 between Teton and Newdale.

During this one-day project, crews will detour traffic between 3rd Street and 8000 W. until construction is completed.

Travelers are advised to please watch for and follow traffic detour signs, drive safe and check 511.idaho.govfor current construction and traveler information.

REXBURG – Traffic will be switched to the westbound lanes beginning today (Wednesday, July 24) on the US-20 Lorenzo Bridge in Madison County. The bridge rehabilitation is expected to be completed this fall.

The off- and on-ramps of Exit 325 will remain open to traffic during the project, except for the eastbound on-ramp to Rexburg. Motorists will not be able to enter US-20 eastbound toward Rexburg from the Exit 325 interchange and will instead need to detour through Rigby at the Exit 322 on-ramp or use an alternate route.

“This rehabilitation will entail resurfacing of the bridge deck, replacing the guardrail, improving the bridge approaches and finishing with new pavement,” said ITD Project Manager Eli Robinson.

Drivers can expect traffic delays for the duration of the project. Reduced speed limits will be in effect and traffic will be shifted over periodically to single-lane, two-way traffic.

RIGBY – Construction is expected to begin today (Monday, July 22) on a 29-mile stretch of Interstate 15 from milepost 167 north of the Dubois Interchange to the Montana state line. Crews will add a surface treatment to the northbound and southbound lanes of I-15 to extend the life of the pavement.

Motorists should expect single lane traffic with lane closures of no more than four miles throughout the project. Interchange ramps will temporarily close for no more than one day at a time. Crews will work Monday through Friday, finishing in late September. Although weekend work is not expected, some Saturday work may occur in order to adhere to the overall project timeline.

View map of the project area.

Motorists are advised to check 511.idaho.gov for roadwork updates.

GIBBONSVILLE – Road improvements are set to begin Monday, July 8, on US-93 from Gibbonsville to the Montana state line. Improvements will consist of guardrail replacement, asphalt paving and curbing, and shoulder repairs.

The project on this stretch of highway is expected to be completed by the middle of August.

Expect minor delays as traffic will be narrowed to one lane during construction, with appropriate traffic control, including a pilot car when needed.

ITD encourages drivers to slow down, pay attention, follow posted speed limit signs and watch for crews working in the area.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and check 511.idaho.gov for roadway information.

RIGBY – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are initiating an Environmental Assessment (EA) to engage the public and evaluate impacts, risks, benefits, opportunities and costs associated with roadway improvements and reconstruction of US-20 between Chester and Ashton. The public is invited to attend an upcoming meeting to learn more about the EA and provide input.

A public meeting will be held Tuesday, June 11 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ashton Community Center, 925 Main Street, Ashton, ID. The meeting is in an open-house format, so citizens are encouraged to attend any time during the three-hour period. Displays illustrating the study process, purpose, schedule, and geography will be available for review. Project staff will be available to provide information, discuss potential impacts, and answer questions about the study.

The Chester-to-Ashton segment of US-20 has not been redesigned since 1932. The current roadway design does not provide sufficient traffic flow or passing opportunities to accommodate growing traffic volumes. The pavement is also beyond routine service life, requiring improvements to the subgrade and drainage features as well as new pavement. Reconstruction also will provide the opportunity to include design elements for reducing crashes.

“ITD and FHWA’s purpose in preparing an EA is to develop and evaluate one or more practicable alternatives for addressing the needs of US-20 between Chester and Ashton,” said ITD’s eastern Idaho project manager Drew Meppen. “We look forward to visiting with the public and getting feedback on the project purpose and need, issues they are experiencing on the highway, and suggested alternatives for improvements.”

If citizens are unable to attend the meeting on June 11, displays and information will be available on the EA website the following day (https://itdprojects.org/projects/us20-chester-to-ashton-ea/). Comments on the materials can be sent to Andrea Gumm at agumm@langdongroup.inc or 208-220-5937. Comments are most helpful if received by July 11, 2019.

FHWA is the lead agency for the EA. The EA is being completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For more information, please contact Gumm at the phone number or email address provided above.

ASHTON – Road reconstruction will begin on US-20 from Ashton Hill to Dumpground Road on Monday, June 3. 

Built in the 1950’s, the section of roadway from Ashton Hill to Dumpground Road has reached the end of its design life and will be rebuilt to meet current design standards.

Traffic will be merged to the northbound lane and northbound passing lane as the southbound lane will begin construction.

Construction will occur during daytime hours Monday thru Friday. Traffic will be narrowed down to a single lane and motorists will be guided through the work zone by flaggers and a pilot car. After hours, the roadway will be open to single lane two way traffic during nights and weekends.

Northbound traffic will have a 45mph speed limit and southbound traffic will have a 25mph speed limit coming down the Ashton hill that will be enforced for the duration of the project. The project is expected to be completed in October.

ITD encourages drivers to slow down, pay attention, follow posted speed limit signs and watch for crews working in the area.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and check 511.idaho.gov for roadway information.