Resurfacing on US-95 in Moscow starts July 7

Picture of the intersection where west State Highway 8 and north U.S. Highway meet in Moscow. Gritman Hospital can be seen in the background.

Resurfacing operations are slated to start next week on portions of U.S. Highway 95, Washington Street and State Highway 8 in Moscow.

US-95 will be repaired between SH-8 and Rodeo Drive. SH-8 will be repaired from W. 7th Street east to the concrete section at East Veatch Street.

At least one lane will remain open through the work zone at night. Lanes will mostly be open during the day. Most of the work will be performed at night between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Parking on Washington Street will not be allowed during these hours.

Some sidewalk sections near the northeast corner of Seventh Street may be temporarily closed, and pedestrians will be rerouted for minor curb and sidewalk work. A map of the impacted areas can be downloaded here for reference.

Construction costs $2.9 million. Work is expected to end in late August.

Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

Work continues on SH-55 Little Goose Creek Bridge

Earlier this week the contractor for the Idaho Transportation Department resumed construction to replace the Little Goose Creek Bridge along State Highway 55 between New Meadows and McCall.

Drivers should plan for reduced speeds and intermittent flagging for most of construction. Later this summer during paving, SH-55 will be reduced to one lane with temporary traffic signals.

“This project has been extended due to weather, road conditions and unexpected contractor delays,” Associate Engineer B.J. Johnson said. “We are working with the contractor to ensure the work is completed as quickly and safely as possible, presumably this fall. We appreciate the community’s patience during this process.”

Work began in June 2024 to replace the bridge to enhance the overall safety, mobility and needs of the traveling public. The project also includes improving the nearby intersection at Last Chance Road and widening the shoulders of the highway. Last Chance Road and campground are closed until late 2025.

Learn more and sign up for construction updates on the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/55-little-goose-creek.

New four-lane section of US-95 south of Moscow to open later today

Later today drivers will be able to take the new four-lane section of U.S. Highway 95 from Reisenauer Hill to Moscow as work wraps up on this nearly $90 million realignment.

Construction began in 2022 to shift the curving, two-lane highway to the east and expand it to four lanes. The new route was funded partially by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program and was designed to be safer with a flatter grade, fewer curves and better access control.

“We are very appreciative of the patience of the public with our construction as we complete this long-awaited and outstanding addition of infrastructure to our system,” District Engineer Doral Hoff said. “This improvement will make travel significantly safer, especially as we see Idaho’s population grow. This project and others are evidence of ITD’s commitment to safety and efficiency for the traveling public. We take your safety on the road seriously.”

The project first began in 1999 when the Idaho Transportation Department started efforts to expand all of US-95 to four lanes from the top of Lewiston Hill to Moscow. This six-mile segment was the last to be improved, with most of the corridor undergoing construction in the early 2000s.

After highway traffic is shifted on to the new alignment, North Latah Highway District will assume ownership of the old section that will be renamed Reisenauer Road. Construction of the bridge over Thorn Creek at the southern end will continue impacting traffic through the fall, and drivers will only be able to access Reisenauer Road at the northern end near Moscow.

Idaho Transportation Department seeks feedback on draft seven-year transportation plan 

Cars take the highway up a hill in East Idaho

The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking feedback on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The ITIP outlines the state’s transportation priorities and guides investment decisions for the next seven years through 2032. ITD encourages everyone to review the draft and provide comments July 1-31. 

Transportation projects included in the draft ITIP range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of new guardrail. Projects are located throughout Idaho’s 44 counties and involve all modes of transportation. Project selection is determined through technical data, as well as input from local officials and residents.  

Visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an interactive map to learn about projects and submit a comment through the portal. 

This draft ITIP shows plans for $5.8 billion in funding, including $200 million dedicated to pavements and $100 million dedicated to bridges each year.  

ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney outlined, “The Idaho practice of annually updating a seven-year highway transportation plan helps consider the growth of traffic we are all seeing which is accelerating the need for safety, preservation and capacity improvements supporting communities statewide. This draft ITIP presents investment needs in highway pavement, bridge repairs, and congestion relief improvements that will provide the Idaho Transportation Board effective options to consider looking ahead for Idaho.” 

In mid-June, the Idaho Transportation Board accepted staff recommendations to address congestion on priority corridors using Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds. These funds came from House Bill 25, which was passed by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year. The legislation provides an additional $20 million a year to the TECM fund for the next three years and allows the department to invest an extra $1 billion in the Idaho transportation system.

Comments can be emailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov, recorded at 208-334-8063 or mailed to:  

ITIP – Comments  
Attn: Noah Ipaye
P.O. Box 7129  
Boise, ID  83707 

Paper copies of the ITIP will be available at regional offices and provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department at 208-334-8284.  

All comments will be reviewed and incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate. Responses will be sent by September.  

After approval by the Idaho Transportation Board in September, the ITIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in October.  

Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP includes the prioritized needs of Idaho’s communities. 

Impaired driving fatalities down, but still a leading cause of death on Idaho roads

Two young adults driving in the car, the sun is casting a beautiful glow onto their faces.

BOISE — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is reporting an 18% decrease in fatalities from impaired driving crashes—down from 105 in 2023 to 86 in 2024. While this progress is encouraging, impaired driving still accounted for more than a third (36%) of all traffic crash fatalities in Idaho last year.

Of the 86 people killed in impaired driving crashes in 2024, 80 (an overwhelming 93%) were either the impaired driver, a passenger riding with an impaired driver, or an impaired pedestrian.

“Drivers aged 30 and under are involved in impaired driving crashes at a disproportionately high rate,” said Josephine Middleton, Highway Safety Manager with ITD’s Office of Highway Safety. “It’s encouraging to see fewer fatalities, but the numbers show the problem is far from solved. We need people to understand that impaired driving doesn’t just put their own life at risk. It endangers everyone on the road.”

To help prevent further tragedies, ITD and its law enforcement partners will participate in a statewide impaired driving mobilization from July 1 to July 13, 2025. During this time, drivers can expect to see an increased presence of high-visibility patrols dedicated to stopping impaired drivers and saving lives.

ITD continues to focus on education and prevention through law enforcement partnerships, community outreach, and youth engagement initiatives. The department emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, using designated drivers, and making responsible choices every time you get behind the wheel.

Impaired driving is preventable. If you feel different, you drive different.

For more information on impaired driving prevention efforts in Idaho, visit shift-idaho.org.

Chip sealing to begin Wednesday at I-86 and I-15 System Interchange

Aerial photo of the system interchange at Pocatello.

Beginning tomorrow the Idaho Transportation Department will chip seal the System Interchange in Pocatello. Once this work is complete, the roadway will be restriped to indicate the final lane configurations.

Chip sealing covers temporary lane markings used throughout various phases of construction and maximizes the taxpayers’ investment by extending the lifespan of the pavement. A sticky slurry is sprayed on the pavement then rock chips are applied on top for a long-lasting seal. This treatment protects pavement from sun, oxidation, weather, water, oil and gas, and increases traction for safety.

Tabs will be placed on the new chip seal to indicate lanes for the short time before striping work can occur.

The previous connection between I-86 and I-15 was originally built in the 1960s. Now nearing completion, the System Interchange is a $112 million redesign to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure that began construction in 2022.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and slow down to 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 related detours. Project details are available on ITD’s website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/i-86i-15-system-interchange.

Sealcoats for US-12 east of Kooskia begin tomorrow

Construction will start tomorrow to apply sealcoats to two sections of U.S. Highway 12 east of Kooskia. Sealcoats are necessary applications that will prolong the life of pavement. They improve the driving surface by waterproofing the roadway and increasing skid resistance for safety.

Work will start near the Lochsa Ranger Station at milepost 121 and move toward White Pine River Access. Then crews will shift to Powell at milepost 151 and work toward Lolo Pass at milepost 167. US-12 will be down to one lane with flaggers alternating traffic. Each section is anticipated to take between one to two weeks to complete before crews move on to the next.

Drivers are encouraged to follow all posted work zone speeds and be ready to stop for flaggers. Delays may range from 15 to 30 minutes, and a pilot car will escort motorists safely through the work zone. Crews appreciate the patience of the public during this important preservation work.

Construction will conclude by the end of July. Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

Repairs on five US-95 bridges north of New Meadows start Wednesday

The Idaho Transportation Department is repairing five bridges along U.S. Highway 95 from New Meadows to Pollock in Adams and Idaho Counties starting Wednesday. Construction on each bridge will last approximately one week, and crews may work on more than one bridge at a time.

The bridges included in this project are the Goose Creek West Bridge, Goose Creek East Bridge, Little Salmon River Bridge, Boulder Creek Bridge and Fall Creek Bridge. View the map to see the exact locations of these bridges. Work will start this week at the Goose Creek West Bridge.

Impacts to traffic will vary by bridge, but overall motorists can expect daytime work with reduced speed limits. US-95 will be reduced to one lane in work zones with flaggers or temporary signals to control traffic.

This work is part of a larger effort to repair bridges throughout southwestern Idaho to extend their service life and reduce maintenance costs. ITD is also preforming repairs on bridges in Canyon County

and has completed work on bridges in Elmore and Ada counties.

Repairs will include:

– Patching and sealing concrete

– Working on expansion joints

– Removing asphalt overlays

– Improving deck drains

– Milling and paving bridge approaches

– Painting steel structures

The Idaho Transportation Department is committed to minimizing disruption during construction while prioritizing the safety of both crews and motorists. Drivers are urged to use extra caution when traveling through active work zones.

To plan your route in advance, visit 511.idaho.gov.

To learn more about the project and see a breakdown of impacts and repairs by bridge, visit the project website at ITDProjects.Idaho.Gov/pages/Bridges2025, call 208-377-9688 or email John@RBCI.net.

ITD hosts Snake River Crossing public meeting 

The Idaho Transportation Department invites Magic Valley community members to attend a public meeting on Monday, June 30, to provide input on the Snake River Crossing Project and help review and refine the first phases of analysis and design before the project moves forward. 

During this public meeting, ITD will share study findings, initial concepts and evaluation criteria, project goals, and a range of alternative locations for an additional Snake River crossing. 

“Our shared goal with local and regional partners is to address growing traffic and regional connectivity challenges in the Magic Valley,” District Engineer Jesse Barrus said. “A potential additional Snake River crossing is a key part of reaching that goal, and we look forward to hearing the community’s feedback.” 

In 2024, the Idaho Transportation Board approved funding to begin next steps to enhance Magic Valley regional mobility including launching the environmental review process for a new Snake River Crossing to consider options for an additional bridge crossing, potentially extending State Highway 25 or State Highway 79 or widening U.S. Highway 30 or State Highway 46. 

The project will utilize information gathered from previous studies and include coordination with the new Magic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization to identify and evaluate feasible, buildable, and fundable bridge alternatives.  

“This public meeting marks a key milestone in the Snake River Crossing project and offers the community a chance to provide input on potential 1,500-foot-long bridge locations,” said Dan McElhinney, the ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer. “Taking a major bridge project of this scale from concept to construction will continue to require strong regional collaboration, innovative funding solutions, and long-term commitment.” 

Opportunities to participate are available both in person and online. Both experiences will include the same information and chances for feedback:  

In Person: June 30, 2025, drop in anytime between 4 and 7 p.m., Herrett Center for Arts and Science, 315 Falls Ave, Twin Falls 

Online: June 30 through July 30, 2025, snakerivercrossing.com 

An additional public meeting is anticipated in early fall. For more information, please visit the project website: itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/snakerivercrossing.  