ITD to hold open house on I-15 planning project between Northgate and Blackfoot

POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting an open house from June 6 – 13 to share information and gather public input about designs to widen I-15 between the Northgate Parkway Interchange (Exit 73) and Blackfoot.

Map of project area with description of anticipated improvements — Download full-resolution PDF

“Most of I-15 was constructed in the 1960s and 1970s and it is aging and nearing capacity in some areas,” said ITD District 5 Engineering Manager Eric Staats. “We are excited to be moving forward with a planning and design process to improve safety and capacity on I-15 between Pocatello and Blackfoot.”

The I-15 Northgate to Blackfoot Project is part of a multi-year planning process to improve I-15 between Pocatello and Idaho Falls.

“This project between the Northgate Interchange and Blackfoot will provide environmental clearance and develop widening options for future projects,” said Staats. “We would like the public’s input on the widening options that are being developed.”

The public is invited to stop by the open house any time between 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8 at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel, Chief Targhee Room (777 Bannock Road) in Fort Hall. ITD will be on hand to discuss the project and proposed widening improvement options.

The same information will also be available online at https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-15northgatetoblackfoot/ between June 6 – 13. Participants can review materials online and submit comments.

Elements of this project are being funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of the Leading Idaho TECM Program. To address the state’s rapid growth, the legislature passed a historic transportation revenue package that Governor Little signed as part of his Leading Idaho initiative in May 2021. House Bill 362 raised the percentage of sales tax going towards transportation from 1% to 4.5%, with bonding authority granted to ITD to invest in safety and capacity needs across the state. 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.

For more information, please visit the project website at https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-15northgatetoblackfoot/

Public invited to review alternatives for US-20 improvements from Ashton to Idaho State Highway 87

RIGBY — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host two public meetings to share information about its Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study and alternatives examining ways to modernize, improve safety, and reduce congestion on US-20 between Ashton and the SH-87 junction. ITD intends to adopt the findings of the PEL study into a future federal environmental clearance process.

The purpose of these meetings is to share alternatives developed from public workshops and the results of the screening committee. ITD will gather public comment on alternatives moving forward including concerns about environmental impacts. Information on access management strategies and opportunities for multi-use crossings along the corridor will also be shared. The public has two opportunities to participate. Both meetings will share the same information.

May 25, 2022,
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Island Park EMS Building
4378 County Circle
Island Park, ID 83429

May 26, 2022
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Ashton Community Center and Library
925 Main Street
Ashton, ID 83420

Increasing traffic is causing congestion and crashes. Improvements are needed to maintain a safe roadway, meet driver expectations, and provide a reliable connection to adjacent communities, Yellowstone National Park, and the region.

Using technical data and input gathered at public meetings in October and December 2021, the project team developed dozens of alternatives that have been evaluated against a range of criteria, including safety, capacity, and environmental impacts to identify the most promising alternatives for additional consideration.

Both meetings will be held in an open house format. Please stop by any time from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For those who can’t attend in person, an online meeting will be available from May 26 through June 9 at itdprojects.org/projects/us-20-ashton-to-sh-87-jct/

The comment period will remain open until June 9, 2022.

Public open house planned May 24 for US-20/26 Chinden West corridor improvements

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites the public to learn more about the future widening of U.S. Highway 20/26 between Middleton Road and Star Road.

ITD will host an open house on Tuesday, May 24 to share preliminary design plans and gather feedback on proposed improvements to this heavily traveled section of US-20/26.

This project will widen the highway and improve intersections to enhance safety and mobility for all users of the transportation system, including nearby residents, businesses, commuters, and freight carriers.

The public is encouraged to attend the drop-in style open house, share input on the plans, and meet members of the project team.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022
5-7 p.m.
Middleton United Methodist Church
104 E. Main Street (State Highway 44)
Middleton, ID

All materials provided at the open house will also be available online at itdprojects.org/chindenwest beginning May 25, for those who can’t attend in person. Comments will be accepted through June 7.

The design of this project is funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of the Leading Idaho TECM Program. The program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address Idaho’s rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build. Funding for the next phase of work will be determined when the project progresses to that stage.

To learn more about the project and sign up for email updates, visit itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Public invited to learn more about upcoming SH-27 improvements in Burley

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting a public meeting next week to share information on three upcoming projects on State Highway 27 in the Burley area. The meeting will be held in an open house format on April 21 and will feature displays and maps showcasing the projects which will focus on preserving and improving the functionality of the highway.

SUMMER 2022: SH-27 Rehabilitation – Burley to Junction I-84 (milepost 22.7 – 24.1)
WINTER 2025: SH-27 Culvert Replacement – G Canal (milepost 20.4)
SUMMER 2026: SH-27 Rehabilitation – Main Street to Overland Bridge (milepost 21.8 – 22.7)

The public is invited to attend anytime between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Mountain View Elementary located at 333 W 27th Street in Burley. Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions and accept comments during this time.

For those who are not able to attend the open house in person, a self-guided online meeting option will be available between April 21 and May 5 at itdprojects.org/projects/sh-27improvements.

If individuals have questions or comments about the project and are unable to attend the in-person or self-guided online meetings, contact ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé at (208) 544-7906 or brock.dille@itd.idaho.gov.

Public invited to open house for SH-44 widening plans in Ada County

The Idaho Transportation Department will hold an open house on Thursday, April 7 to share construction plans for the widening of State Highway 44 in Ada County. Community members are invited to drop in between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Eagle Christian Church – Central Valley on 100 Short Lane, Eagle, Idaho 83616.

ITD representatives will be available to discuss the final design and construction plans and answer questions. Display boards and visuals will also help attendees learn more about the project. The same materials will be posted for viewing online at itdprojects.org/SH4416toLinder from April 7 to 14, for those unable to attend in person.

Work includes widening SH-44 from three to five lanes between SH-16 and Linder Road to improve safety and traffic capacity. Shoulders will also be widened and dedicated right turn lanes will be added at major side streets.

Construction is expected to begin in May and wrap up by this August.

SH-44 is the only east-west highway north of the Boise River linking Canyon County to Ada County. It connects Caldwell, Middleton, Star, Eagle, and Garden City. The large amount of growth in the area has transformed this once rural corridor.

For more information, please visit the project website at itdprojects.org/SH4416toLinder.

Learn more about redesign plans for reconstructing I-84 Burley and Heyburn Interchanges

I-84 Heyburn Burley Interchanges Project

The public is invited to learn more about redesign concepts for the Interstate 84 Burley and Heyburn Interchanges (exits 208 and 211) in the Magic Valley.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host a public meeting and an online meeting to share plans and gather feedback about interchange improvements.

Built in the early 1960s, the interchanges have reached the end of their service lives. ITD is focused on improving safety, mobility, and economic opportunity for all users who travel these important agricultural and industrial routes.

The interchange redesign project is being funded as part of Idaho Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” transportation funding initiative. The Leading Idaho initiative allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to advance large projects that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy and positively impact the Magic Valley and communities across the state for years to come.

The public meeting will be hosted in an open house format with members of the project team on hand to gather input and answer questions.

Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Minidoka County Fire Department – 1120 21st Street, Heyburn, ID

If you’re unable to attend the in-person meeting, please participate online where you can review plans and leave a comment 24 hours a day beginning January 27 to February 10, 2022.

To learn more about the project, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/i-84-burley-and-heyburn-interchanges. For additional information or questions, please call or email 208.387.7012 or stephanie.borders@hdrinc.com.

Public invited to learn about plans for the I-84/ID-50 Kimberly Interchange

Image of I-84/ID-50 Kimberly Interchange

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is planning to rebuild the Interstate 84/Idaho Highway 50 Kimberly Interchange (Exit 182) in 2022 and 2023 and invites the public to view new design plans at a public meeting on November 17, 2021.

The meeting will be held in open house format at the Rock Creek Fire Department (1559 Main St. N) in Kimberly. Individuals are welcome to stop by any time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to view displays and discuss the design and construction schedule with members of the project team.

The interchange is a key agricultural and industrial route for accessing the Magic Valley along ID-50. Improvements are needed to maintain safety, advance mobility, and foster continued economic development as the area grows.

For those who cannot make the in-person meeting, a self-guided online meeting will be available between November 18 and December 2 at itdprojects.org/projects/i-84-kimberly-interchange.

If individuals have questions or comments about the project and are unable to attend the in-person or self-guided online meetings, contact ITD Project Manager Andrew Young at 208-886-7854 or Andrew.Young@itd.idaho.gov.

Interagency Working Group for Public Transportation to meet March 10

The Idaho Transportation Department’s Interagency Working Group for Public Transportation (IWG) will hold its first meeting of 2021 on Wednesday, March 10. The meeting will take place online via Webex from 1 – 3 p.m.

Subsequent IWG meetings are scheduled for June 22, September 28, and December 14 online.

The IWG advises and assists ITD in analyzing public transportation needs, identifying areas for coordination, and developing strategies for eliminating procedural and regulatory barriers to coordination at the state level. The group is made up of representatives from more than 10 different Idaho state agencies.

Meeting agendas, minutes, and scheduled dates are located on the ITD Public Transportation website, itd.idaho.gov/pt, under the “Advisory” tab.

Those interested in attending the March meeting may call in using the details below. For more information, please contact ITD’s Public Transportation Office at (208) 334-8533.

Join from the meeting link
https://itdgov.webex.com/itdgov/j.php?MTID=m654deeccd88123806d8b3b9c40270650

Join by meeting number
Meeting number (access code): 177 580 1979
Meeting password: tqJvG2jjB75

Join by phone
+1-415-655-0003 US Toll
1-844-740-1264 USA Toll Free

Public Transportation Advisory Council to meet February 9

The Idaho Transportation Department’s Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) will have its first meeting of 2021 on Tuesday, February 9. The meeting will be held online via Webex from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Subsequent PTAC meetings are scheduled for June 10 and September 23.

The council is made up of six members representing each of the ITD districts. They work together to identify public transportation needs, plan activities, and promote coordinated transportation systems throughout Idaho. The PTAC also discusses funding programs available to transit providers, and advises the ITD Board with public transportation related recommendations.

Meeting agendas and minutes are located on the ITD Public Transportation website, itd.idaho.gov/pt, under the “Advisory” tab.

Those interested in attending the February meeting may call in using the details below.

For more information, contact the ITD Public Transportation Office at (208) 334-8533.

Join from the meeting link
https://itdgov.webex.com/itdgov/j.php?MTID=m7e59b4e4a30806082967c01250b7b327

Join by meeting number
Meeting number (access code): 133 108 6189
Meeting password: j5hAbKVm5k8

Join by phone
+1-415-655-0003 US Toll
1-844-740-1264 USA Toll Free

ID-55 project between Smiths Ferry and Round Valley to start September 8

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) starts road work on the Idaho Highway 55 safety-enhancement project between Smiths Ferry and Round Valley on September 8.

The public is invited to attend a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, September 2, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. where ITD representatives will give an overview of the project and take questions. The link to attend will be posted on the project website, itdprojects.org/ID55smithsferry, 15 minutes prior to the meeting.

Work will largely be done in fall, spring and summer months, with construction stopping during the winter. This fall, travelers can expect full closures on the roadway Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to allow for blasting and rock removal.

Motorists can find additional details on road closures and traffic patterns on the project website, and can sign up for email and text updates.

“Our goal with this project is to enhance the safety of this mile-long section of the roadway,” Project Manager Alex Deduck said. “Construction crews will remove about 146,000 tons of rock from the hillside, which we want to do very carefully to not create rockslides or impact the river.”

Crews will work on widening shoulders and straightening the curves of the road. This project will also provide a smoother, safer ride for motorists by adding guardrail.

Motorists should anticipate reduced speeds and lanes reduced to one-way alternating traffic during construction. Seasonal closures and traffic patterns will be as follows:

Fall (September – November): One-way alternating traffic controlled by a temporary signal; daytime and nighttime work, seven days a week; full road closures Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Winter (December – Mid-March): No construction expected; all lanes open
Spring (Mid-March – Mid-May): One-way alternating traffic controlled by a temporary signal; daytime and nighttime work, seven days a week; full road closures Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Summer (Mid-May – August): One-way alternating traffic controlled by flaggers; daytime and nighttime work, Monday – Friday

The project is expected to be completed by late fall 2022. ITD and the Idaho State Police advise motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.