Work on the Perrine Bridge to begin next week

Image of the Perrine Bridge near Twin Falls

Drivers can expect lane restrictions and possible delays near Twin Falls to begin next week as crews from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) clean the deck and perform routine biannual inspections on the Perrine Bridge.

On Sunday, Sept. 11, crews will begin overnight cleaning operations on the bridge deck. This work is expected to continue through Thursday, Sept. 15, between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in either direction while cleaning is underway.

“When it is possible and safe to do so, we perform work at night to help lessen congestion in the area,” ITD Maintenance Foreman Chuck Sharp stated.

From Monday, Sept. 19, through Thursday, Sept. 22, crews will walk the arch and deploy ITD’s under bridge inspection truck along the bridge deck.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in either direction while crew members are utilizing the inspection truck. Work will occur at non-peak hours to help reduce congestion and is expected to follow the below schedule:

– Northbound Right Lane Closure: Monday – Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– Southbound Right Lane Closure: Wednesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The left northbound lane will also be intermittently closed for 15 minutes at a time each day while workers access and exit the lower half of the structure.

Pedestrian access may be subject to short restrictions during portions of the inspection. Motorists should consider using an alternate route between the hours listed above. The schedule is subject to change pending weather conditions.

Click here for a photo of the bridge.

“The Perrine Bridge is a vital structure in the region and serves as a connector for thousands of motorists each day,” ITD Bridge Inspector Amy Bower said. “Inspections and routine maintenance projects play an important role in ensuring the bridge’s longevity for many years to come.”

Drivers are urged to exercise caution near the work zone and watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the patience and cooperation of those driving through the area.

Changes to I-90 work zone between Wallace and Mullan coming next week

View from an overpass of milling on I-90

Next week conditions will change in the I-90 work zone where the freeway is being repaved between Wallace and Mullan, with funding for the project provided by “Leading Idaho.” All traffic will shift from the eastbound lanes to the westbound lanes by the end of the week.

“This roughly marks the halfway point of the project,” ITD Project Manager Cole Mosman said. “We’re keeping traffic to one lane in each direction and moving it to other side of the freeway so we can get to the remaining work.”

Eastbound ramps that were closed with the first phase of paving will now be open, but drivers heading westbound will only be able to get on or off at Exit 62 in Wallace or Exit 69 in Mullan.

“We want to remind drivers to stay engaged, especially through work zones,” Mosman said. “All season long we have seen drivers become impatient and try to pass. Passing isn’t allowed in the work zone and trying to do so can have terrible consequences.”

Construction began in mid-July to repave this 5-mile section. This next phase of work also includes the building of an 85-foot-long wall and fencing at milepost 67 to protect drivers from potential rockfall.

These improvements were added to the project after boulders fell down a steep chute onto the freeway during two separate events in June and November of 2020.

The project was originally scheduled to be constructed in 2024 but was advanced to this summer with funds from Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” investment, which includes a one-time transfer from the state’s budget surplus of $126 million dedicated in 2021 by the Idaho Legislature.

Work will wrap up in late October.

Other work zones on I-90 include paving near the bottom of Fourth of July Pass, bridge replacements in Kellogg and a range of smaller projects to address bridges, concrete barrier and ramps. Drivers should plan extra time for commuting and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic conditions and restrictions on up to seven planned work zones east of CDA this summer.

Statewide survey shows more Idahoans are wearing life-saving seat belts

BOISE – More Idahoans are making the safe choice to wear their seat belts. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is pleased to report that statewide seat belt use rose to 87.6% in 2022, an increase of nearly 5% over last year. In 2021, Idaho’s seat belt use was 82.9%.

The data is based on a statewide survey that OHS conducted in June. OHS teams observed 25,385 people in vehicles at 180 sites across Idaho. Observers count the number of seat belts used in the front seats of cars, vans, SUVs, and trucks.

“This increase in seat belt use is a good sign for Idaho because seat belts save lives,” said OHS Occupant Protection Program Manager Tabitha Smith. “We want everyone to buckle up. One click can save your life.”

Seat belts increase your chances of surviving a crash by nearly 50%. Despite the effectiveness of seat belts and the high usage rate, failing to buckle up is one of the most common contributing factors in traffic fatalities.

Last year, 103 people who were killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts – that is 38% of all fatalities in 2021.

“That simple action of clicking your seat belt is one of the easiest things you can do to stay safe. I’m happy that most Idahoans buckle up, but we still can still do better,” Smith said.

System Interchange Detour Begins Tonight

POCATELLO – Beginning tonight, Tuesday September 6 at 10:00 p.m., the northwest ramp of the System Interchange at Pocatello will be closed for construction. The closure will allow the ramp to be lowered prior to beginning bridge construction.

Motorists travelling north on I-15 wishing to proceed west on I-86 toward Chubbuck will be detoured through the Northgate Interchange. The closure and detour will remain for approximately three weeks until the new ramp is completed.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while travelling through the construction area. With crews working day and night it is especially important that drivers be alert and proceed safely through the work area.
Drivers are encouraged to check https://511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of the project detours. Project details are available here on ITD’s projects website — https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-86-i-15-system-interchange/

This project is partially funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. 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.

Map of detour — Motorists travelling north on I-15 wishing to proceed west on I-86 toward Chubbuck will be detoured through the Northgate Interchange.

The detour through the Northgate Interchange will exit at Northgate, cross over I-15, and then proceed south on I-15.

Fires burning along I-15 at Pocatello and at Malad Summit

POCATELLO – Multiple fires are burning along I-15 at Pocatello. There is also a fire at Malad Summit on I-15. Fire crews are actively working in the areas, but traffic is delayed or blocked. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, watch for and move over for emergency vehicles and check 511.idaho.gov or the ITD 511 app to receive road status updates. The causes of the fires are not yet known.

Drivers should take extra care while driving through Idaho this weekend with fire danger high amid unseasonably warm temperatures. In particular, motorists should:

Ensure tow chains on trailers are not dragging which can cause sparks.
Tires on vehicles and trailers are in good condition for highway driving. A blown tire can cause the wheel rim to kick sparks into dry grass.
Never throw cigarettes or other combustible materials out of a vehicle.
Never throw glass or other litter out of a vehicle. Glass bottles and other objects can reflect or focus the sun’s rays causing ignition.
Do not park your vehicle over dry grasses when you pull off a road. The exhaust and other hot portions of the undercarriage can ignite a fire.

Fire crews responding to one of the fires along I-15

A burned area near the southbound lane of I-15

Pocatello Fire Department and other agencies quickly responded to the fires.

Transport of oversized windmill loads through North Idaho to begin next week

More than 80 oversized loads will depart the Port of Lewiston bound for Canada over the next 2.5 months, with the first load scheduled to leave next week. Richards Transportation is in the process of delivering windmill blades to Jenner, Alberta, with the largest loads measuring up to 325 feet long and weighing 137,000 pounds.

“This first load is the only one currently scheduled and will provide an opportunity to refine the transportation plans,” Operations Engineer Jared Hopkins said. “After the initial run, we expect operations to increase in frequency.”

Nine loads will depart each week in groups of three from the Port of Lewiston to travel north on U.S. Highway 95 to Coeur d’Alene before heading east on Interstate 90 into Montana. Three loads are expected to leave every other day, with each individual load departing roughly 30 minutes apart.

Click here to see an oversized windmill load.

Pilot cars will escort each load on the one-night journey, with flaggers in place to close the following intersections:

State Highway 128 and US-12/US-95 in Lewiston
• US-95 and Lincoln Avenue/Walnut Way in Coeur d’Alene
• the I-90 and US-95 interchange in Coeur d’Alene.

Drivers can expect delays as the loads move through these intersections at night. The transportation company arranged for a new on-ramp to help oversized loads make the turn from northbound US-95 onto eastbound I-90 in Coeur d’Alene. This ramp will not be open for other traffic. Traffic on the interstate will be slowed down by pilot cars to allow each load to merge.

Given the length of the loads, navigating to and through Moscow will be especially slow-going and will require significant closures.

The two-lane section of US-95 between Thorn Creek and Moscow will be closed as loads travel through for an estimated 30 minutes each. Timing of the closures will vary but could start around 9 p.m. Traffic will be allowed to pass before each subsequent closure.

“That section of US-95 is windy and narrow, and the loads will not be able to make those turns without taking up part of the oncoming lane, so we are shutting it down,” Hopkins said.

Each night loads depart the port, no parking will be allowed in Moscow starting at 6 p.m. on the following streets:

Washington Street north of the US-95/SH-8 intersection to where southbound and northbound US-95 reconnects at the north end of Moscow.
• Near the Main Street and A Street intersection.

While loads move through Moscow on US-95/Washington Street, traffic will be unable to pass. It could take up to an hour for each load to pass through.

“Given the extreme length of these loads and how narrow the highway section is in Moscow, the transport company will move each load at walking pace with staff on the ground to ensure that nothing next to the road is damaged,” Hopkins said.

Weather may impact the schedule. Traffic impacts will be identified on 511.idaho.gov.

Ashton Blasting to Resume Next Week

ASHTON – Beginning Wednesday, September 7 the next phase of the US-20 and SH-47 project at Ashton will begin. The contractor will periodically be blasting rock that is under the roadway between September 7 and September 13. The blasting will occur in the construction area and motorists should anticipate longer than normal delays.

In addition, there will be a change in traffic pattern to accommodate work at the intersection. SH-47 traffic will be shifted onto the north side of the road with the south side closed for construction. US-20 and SH-47 will remain open to traffic in all directions.

Motorist should take care to watch for equipment and workmen, follow all signs and flaggers, and reduce speeds to posted limits.

Questions and concerns can be directed to HK Contractors office at (208) 523-6600.

Work to repave Eagle Road begins August 29

*UPDATE 10/7/2022*

The Idaho Transportation Department will be changing location on the Eagle Road repaving project.

Rather than paving the intersections of McMillan, Ustick and Fairview this fall, ITD plans to begin repaving Eagle Road between the South Channel Bridge of the Boise River and Island Woods Drive. The pavement has deteriorated and needs to be replaced during this construction season. Beginning October 9, traffic on this portion of Eagle Road will move to one side overnight with one lane in each direction open. Work will take place between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Paving work in this area is expected to wrap up late week.

ORIGINAL POST 8/29/2022

This week the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins work to repave Eagle Road from Interstate 84 to State Highway 44. The existing pavement will be milled off (removed) and replaced with new pavement. The new pavement is expected to last over 10 years.

All work will take place at night over two construction seasons. Work this year includes repaving Eagle Road from Overland Road to Franklin Road. In addition, ITD will repave the intersections of McMillan Road, Ustick Road, Fairview Avenue, and Franklin Road. During the intersection work, Eagle Road will be closed and traffic will be detoured to Cloverdale Road or Locust Grove Road.

Overnight closures and detours will begin at 10 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. on weekdays. Weekend opening times will vary between 6 and 9 a.m. All lanes will be open during the day.

In early September, the westbound on-ramp at the Eagle Road Interchange (Exit 46) will be closed for five nights. Each morning it will reopen at 6 a.m. Traffic will be detoured to the Meridian Interchange (Exit 44).

“More than 65,000 motorists use Eagle Road each day, and we appreciate your patience while ITD and the contractor make these needed improvements,” said Jeff Ryan, ITD Design and Construction Engineer. “If you want to learn about daily detours or traffic impacts, please text EagleRoad to 1-866-483-8422 to get the latest updates.”

During the repaving work, temporary steel plates will be placed on Eagle Road to cover manholes until the project is complete. Please drive with caution.

Idaho Materials & Construction is the contractor for this $18 million project. Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2023.

For more information about the Eagle Road repaving project visit itdprojects.org/eagleroadrepairs or text EagleRoad to 1-866-483-8422 to request construction updates.

I-86 Bridge Repair Work Begins in Power County

AMERICAN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department began repairs on two I-86 bridges in Power County this week. The Sunbeam Road and Seagull Bay bridges will both be receiving new roadway surfaces to protect the integrity of the bridges and improve safety. The first phase of the project will progress for one month while the eastbound bridges are resurfaced. The second phase will also last one month as the westbound bridges are similarly repaired. All work is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

During construction traffic will be moved to one side of the Interstate prior to the bridges and some exiting traffic will be detoured. After the construction area is passed, traffic will cross back over to the regular side of the Interstate to proceed as usual. Motorists should watch closely for signs indicating lane changes, detours, and speed limit reductions.

During the current first phase, eastbound traffic is being crossed over to the westbound side of the Interstate prior to Sunbeam Road at American Falls. Traffic remains two-way on the westbound side of the Interstate until past Seagull Bay Exit 44. Therefore, eastbound Interstate traffic will not be able to use Exit 40 into American Falls and Exit 44 to Seagull Bay. Motorists should instead exit at the west American Falls / Rockland Exit 36 or the Rainbow Road Exit 49.

American Falls residents will still be able to enter I-86 toward Pocatello at the Exit 40 on ramp. They will progress eastbound until the Seagull Bay Exit 44 where they will detour through the exit and then re-enter the Interstate and merge with through traffic as it crosses back over from the westbound lanes.

Performing work on both bridges at the same time reduces costs and effects repairs in the same construction season. Once completed the new surfaces will be smoother and the bridge decks will be protected against further deterioration.

Project starts next week to reduce likelihood of rockfall on US-2 and SH-200

Over the next two months specialized crews will target five locations for rockfall mitigation on two highways near Sandpoint, including U.S. Highway 2 to the west and State Highway 200 to the east.

“At each location, crews will scale the slope, which involves wedging and prying loose rock that has the potential to fall onto the highway,” Project Manager Josh Nisson said. “This project is meant to be proactive, reducing the risk of drivers encountering rocks on the road and bringing it down safely on our own terms.”

The locations to be addressed include:

SH-200 at milepost 41 near Trestle Creek (two sites)
SH-200 at milepost 53 west of Clark Fork
US-2 at milepost 11 between Priest River and Laclede (two sites)

“While they are actively scaling and rocks are falling down towards the highway, we will not let drivers travel underneath,” Nisson said. “They’ll do that for about twenty minutes, let waiting traffic pass through, and then temporarily close the highway again.”

Crews will spend less than two weeks at each location. Drivers should plan for these delays while workers are on site, typically Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Otherwise, all lanes will be open.

Signage at each location will be in place roughly one week before work starts, and drivers are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for all impacts before they travel.