Road repairs on US-20 west of Idaho Falls

Mill and Inlay project west of Idaho Falls

Road construction will commence on US-20 for approximately 13 miles from milepost 301 to milepost 288 west of Idaho Falls.

Work will encompass repairing the right wheel path with a cold mill and inlay process. This project is to make repairs to the existing roadway and extend the lifespan of the highway.

Road work will take place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. The project is expected to last approximately 2 weeks.

Motorists should anticipate reduced speeds and traffic control with a pilot car to guide traffic through the work zone. Drivers are encouraged to watch for flaggers in the work zone. As construction continues, drivers should plan their commute accordingly.

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

East 1500 North Bridge over I-15 closed until further notice

Damaged girder on East 1500 North Bridge over I-15

The East 1500 North Bridge over Interstate 15 near Shelley will be closed until further notice. A vehicle travelling northbound on I-15 today struck the bridge causing significant damage to a girder. Traffic is currently detoured via South 45th West.

“We’ll have to keep the bridge closed until we can fully inspect the damage,” Operations Engineer Greydon Wright said. “Our bridge crew will come in to do the inspection and decide what work will need to be done to repair it.”

The incident also necessitated the closure of the right lane of northbound I-15 to allow crews to clean debris from the road and ensure the safety of the travelling public.

Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.

ITD’s snow & ice team again best in nation!

Despite more competitors than ever before, the ITD maintenance team took home first-place honors at the Snow & Ice Conference and National Snow Roadeo for the second time in three years. They won it in 2021 and placed second nationally last year.

Winning the overall team award again in Colorado September 29 against 300 competitors from all across the country is impressive,” said ITD Chief Deputy and COO Dan McElhinney. “We are proud of our ITD maintenance roadeo team members for their commitment to skill excellence, work zone safety and representing Idaho as the best in the nation!”

The ITD team (pictured at right) featured Kyler Fullmer and Stacey McCurdy of District 6 (East Idaho), Jed Henderson of District 1 (North Idaho), and Brandon Steffens of District 5 (Southeast Idaho). These were also the top four finishers in the state roadeo competition held in July in Salmon, Idaho.

McCurdy, Henderson and Steffens were also on the team that won the national title in 2021.

“I would like to thank the participants,” said first-year roadeo coordinator Alan Huey. “They were proud to represent ITD and showcase the department’s commitment to safety and the skills that translate into service for Idaho’s drivers each winter.”

“The competition was tough, but the team delivered a top-notch performance.”

Each event featured loads of competitors — Single Axle had 53 participants, Grader had 58, Tandem Axle had 59, and Skid Steer had 69. The Loader event featured 100 participants!

“It’s great that we can come together as a team from all different districts to take first place again this year as an agency,” said D1’s Henderson, who made his third straight trip to nationals this year, and was also a part of ITD’s first title team in 2021. “Everyone performed so well, and I look forward to competing again next year.”

Henderson also expressed his appreciation to Kelley Dick, who is moving on from the roadeos next year after promoting to ITD Fleet Manager.

Road closure starts tomorrow morning on Sunnyside and I-15 Business Loop

Idaho Falls Sunnyside Rd/I-15 Business Loop intersection

The Idaho Transportation Department and the city of Idaho Falls will shut down the southbound lanes of West Sunnyside Road/ I-15 Business Loop tomorrow morning at 5:00 a.m. The closure will last for three days.

The city of Idaho Falls will repair a broken water line under the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 91. Traffic will be detoured, and no left turns will be allowed from northbound US-91 to westbound I-15. There will also be no right hand turns off I-15 Business Loop to southbound US-91 as those lanes will be closed.

Drivers should use alternative routes to avoid traffic delays.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

Detour tonight at Fort Hall (Exit 80) Interchange

POCATELLO – Aug. 28, 2023 | Southbound drivers on I-15 will be detoured through the interchange ramps at Fort Hall (Exit 80) tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. This will allow crews to operate safely as they work on the bridge beams over the roadway.

The Fort Hall Interchange is undergoing a complete reconstruction to replace the outdated bridge and improve on- and off-ramps. The redesign also allows for the planned three lanes northbound and southbound on I-15. Those wishing to learn more about the project can visit https://itdprojects.org/projects/forthall/

Motorists should exercise caution while travelling through the work zone as traffic patterns will continue to change over the next week to accommodate construction. Drivers can also check 511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app for the last traffic conditions on all state highways and freeways.

ITD to begin night work in Idaho Falls this week through September

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin a resurfacing project August 10 that will last through the end of September on Interstate 15/U.S. Highway 26 from Sunnyside Road to Lomax Street in Idaho Falls.

Crews will first mill or grind down the upper layer of the existing asphalt to remove any cracks, ruts, and imperfections. They will then place a layer of asphalt on top of the milled surface to fill any holes and make a smooth surface. This will help extend the lifespan of the road.

During construction traffic will always remain on a paved surface, and pedestrians will always be able to pass through the work zone.

Work will begin each night at 8 p.m. and last until 6 a.m. Lane restrictions will be in place along with flaggers during work hours. All signals may be off at times throughout construction. Drivers should follow directions from flaggers or treat a red flashing signal as an all-way stop.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

Repaving project on US-20 in Island Park

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin repaving on US Highway 20 through Island Park on August 14 and is expected to last until late September.

Repaving will take place on the 17.6 mile stretch of US-20 from Pine Haven Drive North to Island Park Lodge between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The roadway will be reduced to one lane in alternating shifts to allow traffic flow. During this time there will be flaggers on the road as well as a pilot car to lead traffic approximately two and a half miles each shift. This will continue until the project is completed in late September.

Repaving is important to maintaining the roadways. Heavy traffic takes a toll on both concrete and asphalt, producing ruts and surface generated cracks. Road resurfacing increases the safety of our roadways and contributes to longevity and clarity of road markings.

Drivers are encouraged to obey traffic laws, traffic signs, and construction signs while traveling through work zones.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

Repairs on South Fork Teton River Bridge in Rexburg

REXBURG—The Idaho Transportation Department will begin resurfacing the South Fork Teton River Bridge on State Highway 33 on July 31, with repairs expected to last until the end of August.

Repairs will replace the surface of the bridge to extend the life of the bridge. In addition, the sidewalk and walls will undergo minor work.

One lane will be closed in each direction, and drivers will not be able to make left turns within the work zone. Pedestrians will be able to cross the bridge throughout construction and access to nearby businesses will also remain open.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

Bridge repair on North 26th West Bridge in Idaho Falls begin July 31

IDAHO FALLS-The West 49^th North Bridge over I-15 will close for two weeks starting Monday for repairs

No through traffic allowed between North 26th West (Old Butte Rd) and Lindsay Boulevard during construction.

Resurfacing and other repairs will prolong the life of the West 49^th Bridge and will make it safer for travelers.

Drivers are encouraged to obey traffic laws, traffic signs, and construction signs while traveling through work zones.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

Leading Idaho funds Rigby Airport Taxiway

The latest small community airport in Idaho to benefit from Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative is the Rigby Airport. The $373,000 improvements included a new taxiway. Leading Idaho enables the Division of Aeronautics to make these worthwhile projects possible financially.

The Rigby Airport’s economic impact includes 66 jobs, $5.4M in GDP, and $11.5M in total output, according to the 2020 Idaho Economic Impact Analysis Update Report.

“It was imperative that we installed the parallel taxiway in the name of safety and constantly increasing traffic every year as the airport became appealing for a growing and vibrant aviation population,” said Rigby Airport Manager Mike Byers.

Byers added that the new taxiway was a long time coming.

“The taxiway was originally planned to be installed in 1977, but due to budget constraints, we had to shelf the project year after year. Thanks to the Idaho Division of Aeronautics, Rigby airport is now safer and able to bring sustainable growth to the city.”

The new taxiway had been identified again in the airport’s 2010 Master Plan.

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.

Airplanes pictured at the Rigby Airport, above.