Maintenance work on Rainbow Bridge scheduled to begin Monday

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin maintenance work on the Rainbow Bridge along State Highway 55 over the North Fork of the Payette River starting Monday. This project is intended to ensure the bridge meets current safety and capacity requirements until a new bridge is completed.

Crews will repair reinforced concrete bridge elements, replace expansion joints, and restore the deck surface. Work is expected to be completed in the fall. Motorists should expect delays in the area during construction.

SH-55 will be reduced to one lane on weekdays in the project area (Mondays at 6 a.m. to Thursdays at 5 p.m.). Temporary traffic signals will direct traffic.
Both lanes of SH-55 are expected to be open on weekends (Fridays – Sundays) and major holidays this summer. Prior to Memorial Day, one lane may be closed on weekends.
Lanes will be reduced to 11 feet.

Rafters should be aware of work on the bridge, follow signage, and look for direction from the river flagger during overhead work.

Repairs this summer will help prevent future load restrictions that could impact service vehicles, delivery vehicles and cattle trucks using SH-55. For the latest updates and additional information, please visit the project website.

Project to replace Lowman Bridge on SH-21 to begin next week

The aging State Highway 21 bridge over the South Fork of the Payette River in Lowman will soon be replaced with a modern structure that improves safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Traffic control for this multi-season project begins setting up next week.

In the initial phase, crews will begin reconstructing the roadway adjacent to the existing bridge. Starting July 2025, demolition of the bridge’s north half will begin. From July through November 2025, traffic will be reduced to a single alternating lane, controlled by a temporary traffic signal, as construction on the north portion of the new bridge gets underway.

To minimize environmental impact—especially on critical bull trout spawning habitat—and to keep traffic moving, construction will take place over two seasons. Full completion is anticipated in spring 2027. Once finished, the new Lowman Bridge will offer improved travel conditions and enhanced safety.

The site has a rich history of moving Idahoans safely across the river: the original late 1800s timber truss bridge was replaced in 1925 with a newer timber truss bridge, which featured a timber center pier and two concrete piers. That bridge was declared unsafe in 1946 and replaced shortly thereafter with the current steel girder bridge.

Delays are expected during construction. Motorists are encouraged to check their route at 511.idaho.gov before heading to the area.

Final roadway repairs scheduled for US-95 near McArthur Lake

Aerial view of the newly constructed bridge on US-95 at McArthur Lake

The Idaho Transportation Department will be performing final patch repairs on a section of US-95 near McArthur Lake on Tuesday.

To minimize impacts on commuter traffic, work will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., during which time traffic will be reduced to a single alternating lane through the work zone.

Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to plan ahead and adjust travel times or routes as needed. Flaggers will be present to guide vehicles safely through the area.

This patch is a final touch up following the major reconstruction efforts which were completed in 2024. The upcoming patch is intended to ensure the long-term integrity of the roadway and improve safety and surface conditions through the corridor. Drivers are reminded to slow down, be alert and follow posted signs while traveling through construction zones.

For the latest updates on road conditions and construction projects, visit Idaho 511.

East Idaho travelers will see even more improvements to US-20

Orange traffic control barrels and lights along US-20 in east Idaho as traffic moves beside.

RIGBY—Exploratory drilling along U.S. Highway 20 from Idaho Falls to Rigby, as well as pavement replacement within the active roadway north of Rexburg, begins Monday. The Idaho Transportation Department is urging travelers to be aware of equipment and crews through these particularly busy areas.

“Last year, we had three near miss occurrences as we were drilling on US-20 near Idaho Falls,” ITD Geologist Shawn Enright said. “We want people to be particularly aware so we can make sure everyone gets home at night and the work gets done too.”

Over the next three weeks, contractor partners will have drill rigs and traffic control in operation near the ramps, overpasses and canal crossings from Interstate 15 Exit 119 in Idaho Falls to Rigby to gather data for potential future widening of US-20. Work will happen within the shoulder or roadside.

More efforts to improve US-20 from North Rexburg Exit 337 to Driggs/ Jackson Exit 339 are also beginning Monday and will continue throughout the next three weeks. Contractor partners will be repairing the worst sections of roadway to provide a smoother ride for motorists.

The northbound ramp to access US-20 at Exit 337 will be closed through the day on Tuesday, April 29. Once work has progressed north, motorists will see closures of the northbound on-ramps at Sugar City/ Salem Exit 338 and Driggs/ Jackson Exit 339. Each closure is expected to last no more than a few days and will only remain through daytime hours.

This work will be noted on the Idaho 511 app and 511.idaho.gov. Drive aware and drive safe while crews make Idaho’s roads better.

Routine maintenance projects to begin on North Idaho bridges starting late April

Aerial photo of the I-90 Veterans Memorial Bridge

Beginning April 28, routine maintenance will commence on several bridges across North Idaho as part of a scheduled infrastructure improvement effort. The Idaho Transportation Department will carry out essential maintenance work at seven locations over the next several months.

The first phase of work begins on Bunco Road over U.S. Highway 95, with additional work kicking off in early May at Northwest Boulevard and the Interstate 90 Veterans Memorial Bridge. Active construction will occur weekdays, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., with scheduled breaks surrounding major holidays and local events. Work is expected to span through spring and summer and will be completed by late fall.

The full list of locations includes:

Bunco Road over US-95
US-95 over Northwest Boulevard – (night work; expect traffic impacts on both US-95 and Northwest Blvd)
Veterans Memorial Bridge on Interstate 90
I-90 over Potlatch Hill Road
Shiplett Road over I-90 (toward Silver Valley)
I-90 eastbound on-ramp over South Fork Coeur d’Alene River
I-90 westbound two-way ramp over South Fork Coeur d’Alene River

Traffic Impacts

Information about traffic impacts will be available to the public in advance through the 511 system and are expected to include:

Lane reductions.
Alternating one-lane travel in some areas.
On- and off-ramps near project zones may experience temporary closures, especially the southbound US-95 off-ramp at Bunco Road.
Efforts will be made to avoid construction over major holidays and peak travel periods.
Flaggers for traffic control.
Nighttime work at US-95 over Northwest Boulevard.

Attempts will be made to have no more than three of these locations under construction simultaneously to minimize overall impact for drivers, especially with several other unrelated projects underway across the region this year.

Bunco Road

One of the bridges included in this project—Bunco Road over US-95—was not originally scheduled for repair. However, following a bridge strike last year caused by a truck hauling an improperly secured load, the structure sustained damage that now requires attention.

This incident serves as a critical reminder to secure loads properly and observe over height signage. Bridge strikes not only pose safety risks but also lead to unnecessary repairs, traffic disruptions, and costs.

As part of the repair plan that begins in late April, the Bunco Road bridge will need to be “loaded”—a process that involves placing weight, likely in the form of heavy equipment, on the bridge to flex the girders and allow crews to make necessary adjustments. Community members may notice large vehicles or machinery parked on the bridge for extended periods. While it may seem unusual, this is a planned, essential step in the repair process, not an emergency, delay or lack of progress.

Veterans Memorial Bridge

Work on the Veterans Memorial Bridge will last the longest, extending into late fall. Work will include deck maintenance and pier crack repair, which may involve top-down methods that could require additional lane closures and impacts to traffic starting May 5.

US-95 over Northwest Boulevard

Night work at US-95 and Northwest Boulevard is planned to minimize daytime traffic disruptions. Coordination with the city of Coeur d’Alene will help mitigate impacts during local events. Specific nighttime work hours will be communicated via the Idaho 511 system once they are determined.

“These are routine but important upgrades to ensure our bridges stay safe and operational,” said Preston Sochovka, ITD’s project manager. “Coming right on the heels of National Work Zone Safety Week, it’s a timely reminder for drivers to secure their loads and use extra caution when traveling through active construction zones—for your safety and ours.”

Work Zone Safety Awareness Week

Picture of US-95 with a bright orange graphic sign that reads "Road Work Ahead."

BOISE–As construction season ramps up across the state, the Idaho Transportation Department is joining transportation agencies nationwide in recognizing Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, April 21–25. This annual effort is a timely reminder to Idahoans that driving safely in work zones protects everyone on the road, including the crews working alongside fast-moving traffic.

“Driving cautiously in work zones helps families,” said Dan McElhinney, ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer. “Travelers, workers, and their loved ones all benefit when drivers reduce crash risks by driving slower and staying alert for traffic cones and guiding signage. Our employees are working hard to improve roadways and quality of life for Idahoans. Driving safely near road work is one of the best ways to support that effort.”

Work zones are active job sites where ITD crews, contractors, utility workers, law enforcement, and tow truck operators are performing critical maintenance and construction—often in unpredictable conditions. These areas are marked by signs, barriers, cones, and sometimes narrowed lanes or uneven surfaces. Rear-end crashes are the most common type of work zone collision, typically caused by distracted or impatient driving.

From 2019 to 2023, Idaho saw more than 3,400 work zone crashes, with 30 fatalities, all of whom were vehicle occupants. This stark reality is often overlooked: drivers and passengers are most at risk in work zone crashes, not just road workers.

To stay safe in work zones, ITD urges drivers to check Idaho 511 before traveling, slow down, stay alert, avoid distractions, and maintain safe following distances, especially around large vehicles. Always watch for workers and flaggers, buckle up, and follow Idaho’s Move Over Law when passing emergency or response vehicles with flashing lights.

Respect the zone so we ALL get home.

For updates and more information, visit Idaho 511 or itd.idaho.gov.

US-95 paving north of Riggins underway

Roadside milling and paving operations are underway on U.S. Highway 95 between Riggins and Race Creek Bridge. The paving is the final touch up work as part of the rockfall stabilization project last fall.

Travelers can expect flaggers and intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. During working hours the highway will be reduced to a single lane with alternating directions of travel. Slower speeds are encouraged for safety. Extra vigilance is advised as space may be limited in this river corridor. Construction is anticipated to complete this Friday.

The cost for the project is about $1.6 million.

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.

Construction begins on SH-75 in Ketchum

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin construction next week to improve safety and capacity on State Highway 75 between Elkhorn Road and River Street. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Crews will remove trees in select locations the week of April 28. Generally throughout construction, motorists can expect:

The speed limit on SH-75 will be reduced to 25 mph in the construction zone.
Work will occur Monday – Saturday between 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. with the occasional exception on nights and weekends.
One lane will remain open in each direction on SH-75 between Elkhorn Road and River Street.
Closures will occur on local roads, and detours will be in place.
Traffic shifts will occur on SH-75 and local roads.

SH-75 is the primary north-south highway in the Wood River Valley serving the cities of Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley in Blaine County. Improvements include widening SH-75 to 4 lanes between Elkhorn Road and River Street, improving intersections and local roads and making pedestrian access more readily available in the project area. These changes have been developed to accommodate traffic projections for the next 20 years.

The project team will share information about upcoming traffic impacts through email and website updates. For more details and to sign up for construction updates, please visit the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/idaho75, email info@sh75project.com or call (208) 254-0421.

I-90 bridge maintenance begins in the Silver Valley

Map graphic showing the location of the three bridges that will be under construction on I-90 in the Silver Valley

Starting next week work will begin on three Interstate 90 bridges in the Silver Valley as crews work to carry out routine, preventative maintenance on the structures.

I-90 bridges west of Silverton over the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River
I-90 bridges at the Silverton Interchange
Wallace Viaduct

Through the work zones traffic will be reduced to a single lane of two-way traffic, and speed limits will be reduced to 55 miles per hour for safety. The Idaho Transportation Department will utilize crossovers constructed in previous years to shift traffic across the interstate allowing crews the space to work on these bridges.

This project will be carried out in two phases, the first addressing both sets of bridges near Silverton, and the second will focus on the viaduct in Wallace. Work on these projects is expected to be complete by late fall.

Information about intermittent ramp closures associated with the project will be posted locally, and in advance, on digital messaging signs along I-90. Up to date information will also be available to drivers through the Idaho 511 system.

Routine and preventative maintenance is essential to keeping roads safe, reliable, and cost-effective in the long run. Bridges are critical links in the transportation network, and like any structure, they experience wear and tear over time. By performing regular inspections, repairs, and upkeep now, the department can avoid more serious—and far more disruptive—problems down the road. These proactive measures help extend the lifespan of infrastructure, reduce the likelihood of emergency closures, and ultimately save taxpayer money.

Construction near US-91 and Breneman Street in Chubbuck

Beginning Monday, the Idaho Transportation Department will build a traffic island on U.S. Highway 91 (Yellowstone Avenue) at Bullock Street in Chubbuck to reinforce existing restrictions that prohibit unsignalized left turns onto Bullock Street.

Yellow tubular markers will be removed and replaced with the concrete island over the next two weeks, depending on weather.

During construction, the southbound left turn lane from Yellowstone Avenue to Breneman Street and businesses like Walmart will be closed. The leftmost northbound lane on Yellowstone will also be closed to provide enough room for crews to work.