Temporary speed limit reduction on US-95 for Sunset Fire response

The Idaho Transportation Department will temporarily reduce the speed limit on U.S. Highway 95 to 55 mph between Granite Hill and Blacktail Road to support firefighting efforts and public safety during the Sunset Fire response north of Athol.

Fire crews are staging equipment in the area, and evacuations are taking place as part of the emergency response. Idaho State Police will have troopers patrolling the area to make sure drivers follow the reduced speed limits, helping ensure the safety and efficiency of fire operations.

Drivers should follow all posted signs, slow down, and use caution when traveling through the area.

For the latest travel and traffic conditions, visit 511.idaho.gov or download the Idaho 511 app.

Public invited to weigh in on US-95 project near Parks Road

Aerial view of US-95 near the Parks Road intersection.

The Idaho Transportation Department invites the community to learn about and provide feedback on a future project to improve safety and increase mobility on U.S. Highway 95 near Parks Road. Construction is still several years away, but design is starting now. Proposed improvements include:

• Eliminating left turns and median crossing to allow right-in/right-out only access to US-95 from Parks Road.
• Building a new frontage road on the east side of US-95 from Parks Road to Lawrence Road, connecting to the existing dead-end and completing the route to SH-53 and even further south.
• Coordinating with the Lakes Highway District on a separate project as they plan to realign Old Highway 95 to Parks Road.
• Addressing congestion issues around the Bunco Road interchange and also near the Bunco Road/Pope Road intersection caused by surges in traffic to and from the neighboring theme park.

In-Person Meeting
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
4:30-6:30 p.m.

ITD Athol Shed
6303 E. Parks Road
Athol, ID

Feel free to drop in anytime between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to view project displays and talk with members of the design team. Staff will be available to walk you through plans, answer questions, and hear your feedback.

Parents, feel free to bring your children along with you! This is a casual, drop-in event and families are welcome.

For anyone who can’t attend in person, the same information shared at the meeting will be available online starting August 19 through September 5 at US-95: Parks Road | ITD Projects.

This project is currently funded for design and construction beginning in 2031 for approximately $10 million.

US-20 traffic to shift as South St. Anthony Interchange nears completion

Road construction with closures and traffic shift on US-20 South St. Anthony interchange.

Beginning early this week, traffic on U.S. Highway 20 will be routed onto the newly built overpass bridge at South St. Anthony Exit 344. This marks the final stages of construction on a new full interchange at this location.

North and southbound motorists were previously routed onto the ramps while the overpass bridge was being constructed, with speed limits lowered to 35 mph. Traffic will now move to travel on mainline US-20 at a reduced work zone speed.

With this traffic shift, South St. Anthony ramps will be closed as work continues on 400 North under US-20. Workers and equipment will still be present on site, so drivers are urged to stay aware and be cautious.

This project is expected to be substantially complete later this summer, with the ramps and turning movements onto 400 North open then.

Funding for this project is assisted by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) fund. The Leading Idaho initiative allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to invest in projects in corridors that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy, and positively impact communities across the state for years to come.

Updates on this project and others across Idaho can always be seen on the Idaho 511 app, or at 511.idaho.gov.

Single lane opened to traffic on Porterville overpass

The Idaho Transportation Department has installed traffic signals allowing single-lane traffic to pass over the Porterville overpass north of Blackfoot. The overpass was damaged Tuesday evening when it was struck by a backhoe being hauled by a semi on Interstate 15. The collision caused severe damage to one of the concrete girders under the overpass.

ITD has determined it is safe to allow traffic to pass over the undamaged portion of the bridge. The traffic lights will alternate, allowing vehicles to use the single open lane.

In addition, concrete barriers will be put in place to ensure traffic does not pass over the damaged girder.

ITD continues to investigate what will be required to repair the bridge.

Motorists are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for the latest traffic information and width restrictions.

Port of Entry technology keeps Idaho moving

Ports of entry help preserve the well-being and safety of Gem State drivers statewide by safeguarding citizens, fostering economic development, and ensuring the efficient movement of goods and individuals across our borders. POE staffers are committed to maintaining safety and compliance with federal and state regulations for commercial vehicles. Each day, dedicated supervisors, inspectors, and registration teams manage hundreds, often thousands, of vehicle inspections, registrations, and permit requests. Their collective efforts directly support ITD’s mission of promoting safety, mobility, and economic opportunity.

Given the high volume of commercial traffic on Idaho’s roads—totaling millions of vehicles annually—ports are integral to maintaining smooth and secure operations. In addition to visual inspections for damage or missing components, such as safety markers, tire lug nuts, mirrors, placards, exhaust systems, or mud flaps, we utilize advanced electronic screening and weigh-in-motion (WIM) technologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Electronic WIM systems effectively identify vehicles that are potentially overweight, over-length, or over-height, streamlining the inspection process. Complementing this system is our tire anomaly detection system—recently recognized with an American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators award—which helps identify tire issues such as worn tread, punctures, insufficient pressure, or mismatched sizes by axle. This technology not only facilitates the identification of suspect vehicles for further inspection, but also allows compliant vehicles to bypass the port, improving traffic flow and reducing operational costs. Industry data indicates that allowing compliant vehicles to remain on the interstate results in approximately $8.68 in cost savings per vehicle, thereby supporting our goal of enhancing mobility.

A key component of our electronic screening process is the Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window (CVIEW). This interface enables inspectors to access comprehensive vehicle data—such as registration details, safety records, permits, and driver information—to determine whether a more thorough inspection is necessary. When CVIEW flags potential issues, inspectors have the option to initiate a full inspection.

Recently, new Port of Entry Program Manager Frank DeCarvalho (pictured right) visited the East Boise and Declo ports. He remarked, “I am highly impressed with our inspectors and their effective use of electronic-screening technology to manage vehicle flow through our busy ports. The training they receive and their dedication are essential to fulfilling our mission while providing excellent customer service.”

While these technological tools provide powerful data-driven insights, it’s important to recognize the continued value of traditional visual inspections. These in-person checks remain a critical component of the inspection process, offering opportunities not only to identify issues that may not be captured electronically but also to engage directly with drivers. These face-to-face interactions often serve as educational moments, helping drivers better understand compliance requirements and maintain safer vehicles on the road.

US-20 delays and slower speeds starting next week for INL paving operations

Graphic map of US-20 west of Idaho Falls indicating traffic movement changes near the junction of US-20, US-26 at the INL entrance.

The Idaho Transportation Department is partnering with the Idaho National Laboratory to alert motorists of changes to their commute beginning next week.

Starting Monday, paving operations within the INL site will limit usual turning movements at the Puzzle, the junction of US-20, US-26 and INL. During morning and overnight hours, traffic will be able to make right turns only off US-20 into the site.

From 4 to 6:30 p.m. traffic at the Puzzle will be restricted to outbound only movement, with no inbound turns allowed.

Speed will be reduced to 50 mph on US-20 near and through the Puzzle while this work is completed.

Both inbound and outbound site traffic will be able to access US-20 from an alternative route at West Portland Avenue, Gate Three, one mile west of the Puzzle. No dedicated turning lane exists on US-20 at this intersection, so motorists are urged to be alert and slow down.

Flaggers will be present as needed when INL paving work is near the intersections of US-20 or US-26. Traffic control signs and lower speed limits will not be in effect when work is not actively ongoing along these roadways.

INL paving operations are expected to be complete and traffic running as usual by late September.

INL employees should refer to internal communication regarding effects to their commute on roads within the site. Effects to US-20 and US-26 will be noted on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.

Construction begins Monday to widen I-90 between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene

Traffic congestion on Interstate 90 between Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin construction Monday on a major project to widen Interstate 90 between State Highway 41 in Post Falls and U.S. Highway 95 in Coeur d’Alene. This four-year effort, expected to be complete in 2029, will add capacity to one of North Idaho’s busiest stretches of freeway. As one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region, the project is designed to ease congestion, enhance safety, and position the corridor to accommodate continued growth for years to come.

Initial construction tasks will include tree removal from the center median and shoulders, placing temporary barriers, installing work zone signs, minor traffic shifts, and starting construction on the Prairie Trail Bridge. As work begins and continues through fall and winter, drivers can expect:

Work will typically occur Monday through Friday with both daytime and nighttime activity, though some weekend work may occur as well
Two lanes of travel being maintained in both directions during daylight hours
- Lanes may be reduced during nighttime hours as needed
Variable speed limits, with digital signs adjusting speeds based on nearby work activity.
- Drivers should pay extra close attention to the posted speed limits and drive accordingly

The widening effort is the first project from the I-90 Corridor Study to move into construction, prioritized for its significant impact in reducing congestion between SH-41 and US-95.

Major improvements the project will deliver include:

Adding two lanes in both eastbound and westbound directions of I-90 for a total of four lanes in each direction
Replacing and widening bridges over Huetter Road, Atlas Road, and Prairie Trail
Realigning and improving adjacent sections of both the Prairie and Centennial Trails
Lengthening existing on- and off-ramps to allow for a safer merging with I-90 traffic. Ramp locations include:
- All ramps at the Northwest Blvd. Interchange
- Eastbound off-ramp at US-95
- Westbound off-ramp at US-95

“Relieving congestion on this stretch of I-90 is one of the most common requests that ITD hears from the public and we are excited to begin work to improve the traveling experience on the corridor,” said Zach Feist, ITD Project Manager.

This corridor expansion project will ultimately be bookended by two new interchanges. On the west end, the SH-41 interchange began construction in 2022 and is expected to be fully complete in 2026. At the east end the next major I-90 interchange project to be built will be at US-95 and is currently in the design phase, with construction possible as early as 2027.

Various projects identified in the I-90 Corridor Study are advancing separately but on a similar timeline through the design and construction phase, including I-90 interchange projects at both ends of this project corridor. Construction of the SH-41 interchange is scheduled to be complete next year and the US-95 Interchange is in the design phase with construction expected to begin in 2027 after recent funding was awarded through the TECM bonding program.

The project is primarily funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. The TECM 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.

ITD is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information for drivers to plan extra time to safely pass through the work zone. To stay up to date on this and other projects within the I-90 corridor, visit our website and sign up for email and text updates.

For the most up-to-date statewide traffic information, visit 511.idaho.gov or download the app.

Weight restrictions in place over Yankee Fork Bridge

Yankee Fork Bridge northeast of Stanley has a weight restriction in effect to prevent further damage to the bridge after a large hole developed last week due to the failure of a previous patch. Trucks are limited to 9.3 tons per axle with overall weight limits on large trucks.

A speed reduction of 25 mph is also in effect and steel plates have been placed over the damaged area to allow traffic to continue to cross until repairs are complete. ITD will be monitoring the plates daily to ensure they do not move.

Last week, a hole developed in the deck of Yankee Fork Bridge due to the failure of a previous patch.

Drivers should also be aware of bumps due to the steel plates and drive with caution, especially those pulling trailers or riding motorcycles.

Work to repair the bridge is expected to begin in the next two weeks and during that time, traffic will be reduced to one lane with temporary signals allowing traffic to alternate through the work zone.

Drivers are encouraged to use the Idaho 511 system to monitor ongoing traffic impacts and plan their travel accordingly.