US-95 closed near Riggins due to mudslide

Picture of the mudslide on US-95 north of Riggins.

U.S. Highway 95 north of Riggins near Fiddle Creek is currently closed in both directions until further notice due to a mudslide. The highway is closed from milepost 200 to milepost 201.

Drivers should be prepared to stop when approaching the closure from either direction. It is unknown when the road will reopen, but ITD crews are bringing in heavy equipment to clear a lane through. Besides clearing significant debris, the road will then need to be evaluated for structural damage from the washout.

“Our crews are out and ready to clear a lane through as a priority,” Field Operations Manager Larry Tillinghast said. “Please use caution when approaching the barricades to help keep everyone safe including the operators who have important work to do. We ask at this time that all motorists be prepared to turn around or find an alternate route if possible.”

Updates on this closure will be posted to 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

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

Water under a 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.

Chubbuck Road to open for Fourth of July weekend

Chubbuck road underpass as viewed from the west.

Chubbuck Road is open for traffic under Interstate 15. As part of the redesign of the System Interchange project Chubbuck Road was rebuilt as an underpass with lanes for bicycles and sidewalks. Over the last month the new underpass was closed so crews could build the eastbound lane, construct sidewalks, paint permanent lines and add signs.

ITD expects no further closures of Chubbuck Road. However, crews will continue to work around the site adding vegetation and doing cleanup work. Drivers are encouraged to slow down for workers on and near the roadway.

No cleanup work will occur during the holiday.

Originally built in the 1960s, the I-86 and I-15 System Interchange is undergoing a rebuild to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure. This week crews are painting the final lane lines throughout the project area. Once the lines are completed the remainder of the project will consist of seeding vegetation and other cleanup work that will not affect traffic.

Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/i-86i-15-system-interchange.

Westbound I-84 on- and off- ramps closed at Burley Exit 208 starting next week

View of the Burley Interchange from the freeway

The westbound on- and off- ramps on Interstate 84 at State Highway 27 will close July 7 for repaving as part of the ongoing reconstruction of the Burley Interchange.

The closure will be in place from 6 p.m. July 7 through 9 p.m. July 24. If the schedule changes due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, updated information will be provided through roadside signage.

Drivers heading to the I-84 westbound on-ramp will be detoured north to State Highway 25, and then west to access I-84 at Exit 201. Westbound I-84 off-ramp drivers may exit early at SH-24 (Exit 211) or further west at SH-25 (Exit 201). See map attached. Detour signage is in place and will guide motorists through the project area. Please watch for crews, use caution, and drive safely.

Construction has been underway since 2024 to update the Heyburn and Burley Interchanges to meet growing traffic demands and is funded as part of Idaho Governor Little’s Leading Idaho transportation funding initiative. The Leading Idaho initiative allows department to take a deliberate approach to advance large projects that will enhance safety, improve mobility, strengthen Idaho’s economy, and positively impact the Magic Valley for years to come.

To learn more about the project that is expected to be complete in 2026, please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/projects/i-84-burley-and-heyburninterchanges. Information about this closure, detour routes, and travel impacts for projects statewide is on 511.idaho.gov.

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

Fresh paint on the new alignment

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

Aerial view of the US-95, I-90 interchange in 2025.

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.

One of the major projects included in the draft ITIP as part of the board’s action include:

  • Design and construction of the I-90 and US-95 Interchange. This project will add capacity to support future traffic volumes, which are expected to double by 2045, and enhance safety by eliminating off-ramp queues backing up on to the interstate. Prior to House Bill 25, no funding was available for construction; now it could be possible as early as 2027.

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.

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.

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

Roadside view of US-20 roadway and traffic west of Idaho Falls.

 

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 to learn about projects and submit a comment through the portal.

 

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.

One of the major project(s) in the draft ITIP affecting East Idaho as part of the board’s action include:

  • US-20 west of Idaho Falls. This project will increase capacity by widening the road to two lanes in each direction starting at Idaho Falls and moving west as funding allows. Widening will increase safety for freight, recreational and commuter traffic due to limited passing opportunities and lines of sight. Construction is anticipated start in 2026, two years earlier than planned.

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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Exit 93 interchange

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) 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.

The major projects included in the draft ITIP as part of the board’s action include:

  • I-15 and US-26 Interchange (Exit 93): The existing interchange will be replaced to accommodate additional lanes on the interstate and to include longer on- and off-ramps for safer merging. Construction is anticipated to start in 2026, five years earlier than planned.
  • I-15 widening from milepost 89 to 93: This project will add capacity by widening the interstate to three lanes in each direction between the US-26 Interchange and the South Blackfoot Interchange. construction was previously not funded but is now anticipated to start in 2027.
  • I-15 and US-91 South Blackfoot Interchange (Exit 89): The existing interchange will be upgraded to accommodate additional lanes on the interstate and include longer on- and off-ramps for safer merging. Construction is anticipated to start in 2028, three years earlier than planned.

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.

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.

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.