Your input could help shape how ITD does business with DBEs

The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking your input regarding any disparities evident in the participation of minority-owned businesses working with the department on any projects using federal funds under the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. A DBE is a small business that is at least 51% owned by a minority, female or an economically disadvantaged individual.

Specifically, ITD is trying to determine whether any marketplace barriers exist that make it more difficult for those disadvantaged businesses to compete for ITD contracts and procurements.

ITD commissioned BBC Research & Consulting to conduct the disparity study. The study is done every three years by a third-party vendor to go over the agency’s DBE goal as a whole. To foster equal opportunity and ensure non-discrimination to disadvantaged groups, a goal is set for each federally funded project that will go towards the agency’s overall goal.

The Office of Civil Rights monitors the DBE program and helps set goals on each project. The disparity study will analyze any barriers that prevent those disadvantaged businesses from getting USDOT funded contracts and any barriers ITD (and the sub-recipients of USDOT funds) have in getting DBEs to participate in USDOT-funded projects.

A pair of public meetings, on Oct. 19 in Boise and Oct. 20 in Coeur d’Alene, will be conducted to gather input. Both in-person and by-phone options will be available.

Boise, ID | Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022

6:00 p.m – 7:30 p.m. MDT

Participation in-person is available at the following location:
ITD Chinden Campus | 11331 W. Chinden Blvd, Boise
Enter through the west side of Building 8 | Long Bridge Room

Participation via phone or Webex is also available:

Oct. 19 – Join Online Webex Meeting

Meeting number (Access Code): 2453 034 2017
Meeting password: fMjJXxyw787

Join by phone at: +1-415-655-0003 US Toll

Meeting will also be broadcast at your local ITD district office.

Coeur d’Alene, ID | Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022

6:00 p.m – 7:30 p.m. PDT

Participation in-person is available at the following location:
600 W Prairie Ave, Coeur d’Alene
Main Conference Room

Participation via phone or Webex is also available:

Oct. 20 – Join Online Webex Meeting

Meeting number (Access Code): 2457 198 7149
Meeting password: m2rJcYi3v5G

Join by phone at: +1-415-655-0003 US Toll

Meeting will also be broadcast at your local ITD district office.

If you have any questions about the disparity study or its implications for ITD, please email Ronnie Winks, DBE Program Coordinator, or phone her at 208-334-8567.

“We invite everyone, internal and external, to come and make a comment about their experience with the DBE program and the DBE goal, including any concerns they have, so the third-party vendor can get a clear and accurate information for this study,” Winks explained.

“The results of this study will impact the DBE goal for the next three years on projects for ITD, and the sub-recipients of USDOT funds, so any and all comments/concerns will make an impact on any future work.”

For more information go to: ITD Disparity Study website
E-mail your comments to: ITDDisparityStudy@bbcresearch.com

State Highway 52 Snake River Bridge closed for repaving this Thursday, October 6

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) asks drivers in Payette to plan ahead, as the State Highway 52 Snake River Bridge will be closed this Thursday, October 6.

In cooperation with the City of Payette and Payette County Road and Bridge, crews will repave the driving surface of the bridge on Thursday. The bridge will be closed to travelers starting at 8:00 a.m. and will reopen when work is complete later that evening, by approximately 8:00 p.m. Please check Idaho 511 at 511.idaho.gov for the most up-to-date information.

Design work is currently underway on plans for a future bridge replacement scheduled for construction in 2026.

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 visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.

Ashton construction traffic pattern changes today

Please be aware that there will be a change in the current traffic pattern for the construction work at the Intersection of US-20 and SH-47 in Ashton, ID starting on Tuesday October 4, 2022.

US-20 traffic will be shifted to the East side of the road.

SH-47 will have periodic traffic control, but will generally have little construction activity.

E. 1300 N will be closed to US-20 traffic from October 4th to October 17th. Signs will detour local traffic onto N 3400 E.

All businesses on US-20 will remain open and signs will direct traffic.

US-20 and SH-47 will remain open to traffic in all directions.

Please watch for equipment and workmen, follow all traffic signs and flaggers, and reduce speeds to posted limits as traffic control and safety devices will be changing often to accommodate construction activities.
We appreciate your patience during this construction period. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (208) 523-6600.

Third community discussion to be held in person and online for SH-75 project in Ketchum

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites members of the community to review and provide input on design plans for State Highway 75 between Elkhorn Road and River Street. Individuals can join members of the project team in person on Oct. 11 or participate online from Oct. 11 – 25.

The in-person meeting will be held at the Limelight Hotel (151 Main St. S, Ketchum) on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Community members can drop in anytime to view project information, see design plans and speak with the project team.

The self-guided online discussion will be open from Oct. 11 – 25 at itdprojects.org/projects/Idaho-75. The online meeting will include a short welcome video as well as project information and design plans. Participants will have the opportunity to provide input and see comments from other community members.

This project aims to increase capacity and improve safety along the highway in response to growth and development in recent years that has increased congestion. Plans include widening the highway between Elkhorn Road and River Street, rebuilding the Trail Creek Bridge and improving drainage and other infrastructure.

ITD received feedback from the public during two other community discussions in 2020 and 2021. This will be the third community discussion for this project.

“We are happy to be moving forward with design plans for each of the three segments in this corridor,” ITD Project Manager Nathan Jerke stated. “We’re grateful for all those who have participated in our previous community discussions and we look forward to meeting with the community again.”

Comments may be submitted via the project website or by calling (208) 886-7809, emailing nathan.jerke@itd.idaho.gov or sending mail to the Idaho Transportation Department (216 S Date St., Shoshone, ID 83352) at the attention of Nathan Jerke.

Skip the Trip! Now save time and money renewing your vehicle registration online

BOISE – Beginning Oct. 1, 2022, Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customers will save money by renewing vehicle registrations at dmv.idaho.gov. Through innovation, the DMV has reduced administration and convenience fees for online vehicle registration transactions, passing savings on to customers. Like appointments and online options, this cost-saving effort is part of a larger initiative to improve customers’ DMV experience.

Join the 1.2 million Idahoans who have Skipped the Trip to the DMV by accessing services online. It is a safe and secure way to renew vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses or complete 15 other transactions –saving time and money. In August 2022 alone, 108,231 customers chose to Skip the Trip and complete their transactions from a laptop, smartphone, or tablet.

“As Idaho’s population continues to grow, providing customers more options for completing many routine transactions online just makes sense,” said Acting DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan.

Online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Customers may still visit county offices. While many transactions are available online, some, including getting a Star Card, Idaho’s Real ID, still require an in-person visit to the DMV. However, the rise in online transactions means there will be shorter lines in county offices.

“Working closely with county partners and our state vendor, the DMV is making online transactions simple, secure, more affordable, and a better way to Skip the Trip to get back time in your day,” McClellan said.

I-15/I-86 Detour at Pocatello Ends

POCATELLO – The northwest ramp from I-15 to I-86 reopened this morning at the System Interchange in Pocatello. Traffic heading from I-15 toward Chubbuck and American Falls is no longer detoured through the Northgate Interchange. The detour was needed to lower the ramp so new bridges can be built for I-15 through the System Interchange.

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 road conditions and construction. Project details are available 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.

Child Passenger Safety Week seat check events happening across Idaho

A nurse talks with a mother about child passenger safety while a young child sits in a car seat.

BOISE – The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) would like your support for Child Passenger Safety Week from Sept. 18-24, and National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 24.

In 2021, five children under the age of 7 were killed in crashes in Idaho. Four of those children were unrestrained. “It is so important for caregivers to be educated in car seat safety,” said OHS Child Passenger Safety Program Manager Tabitha Smith.

This week, Idaho has multiple dates and locations for parents and caregivers to check their car seats for proper installation. Certified Technicians will be on site:

Monday, Sept. 19

St. Mary’s Hospital, Cottonwood – Sept. 19, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Orofino City Park, Orofino – Sept. 20, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Fitness Building at Timbee Hall, Fort Hall – Sept. 21, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 22

Syringa Hospital, Grangeville – Sept. 22, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital, Malad City – Sept. 22, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23

Bear Lake County Fire Station, Montpelier – Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kamiah Middle School, Kamiah – Sept. 23, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24

Pocatello Police Department, Pocatello – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Steele Memorial Medical Center, Salmon – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Grease Monkey Channing Way, Idaho Falls – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thrive Pediatrics, Meridian – Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tomlinson South Meridian YMCA, Meridian – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Second Judicial District CASA, Lewiston – Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Con Paulos Chevrolet, Jerome – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information about car seat safety is available at https://shift-idaho.org/child-passenger-safety/.

For questions, contact Carma McKinnon, Child Passenger Safety Statewide Coordinator, at (208) 742-1683 or carma@lemhicountyidaho.org.

Rock scaling begins next week on White Bird Grade

Railroad containers set in place to shield traffic

Sept. 12 update:

Rock scaling will begin Tuesday, September 20, at the top of White Bird Grade to stabilize the slope above U.S. Highway 95. Work over the next several weeks will intermittently affect the highway.

Scaling involves knocking down loose debris proactively, with rocks falling from the hillside down to the road. Specialized equipment will excavate rock at the top and flatten the slope.

“At least for the first day, we’ll have flaggers there to stop all traffic for 20 minutes at a time while workers are scaling,” Operations Engineer Jared Hopkins said.

Work is scheduled Monday through Saturday, with construction starting each day at daybreak.

“As work continues, we may allow traffic to flow without being stopped during work if it is safe to do so,” Hopkins said.

Metal containers that have been shielding drivers since the rockslide in May at this location will be shifted back on to the highway. The passing lanes will be closed earlier, forcing drivers to merge sooner. When crews are not on site, traffic will flow freely over the hill with one lane in each direction.

Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions at 511.idaho.gov.

May 11 update:

All lanes on U.S. Highway 95 are now open after the Idaho Transportation Department removed debris from a rockfall on Monday morning and placed barriers to protect drivers.

One lane had remained open immediately following the rockfall. New railroad containers have taken the place of concrete rail to offer better protection should more rocks come down.

An excavator scoops up freshly fallen rocks on US-95

“More rocks fell down this morning. The slope is not stable,” Operations Engineer Jared Hopkins said. “This will not be a quick fix.”

The department is working to secure an emergency contract to further assess conditions and then likely use specialized equipment to scale the slope. Scaling involves knocking down loose debris proactively.

May 9 update:

Rockfall on US-95 blocks one lane on White Bird Grade

Following persistent rain over the last week, a rockfall blocked lanes this morning on U.S. Highway 95 at the top of White Bird Grade south of Grangeville. The highway remains reduced to one lane.

Rocks ranging from 6 inches to 6 feet wide blocked the southbound lane around 10 a.m. Crews immediately responded by alternating northbound and southbound traffic and hauling away debris.

Rocks continued to fall down the slope, prompting the Idaho Transportation Department to place concrete rail to protect drivers. A spotter will watch the hillside through the night, ready to close the highway at a moment’s notice. Flaggers will control traffic through tonight and likely tomorrow night.

“This happened during blue skies,” Operations Engineer Jared Hopkins said. “Just a reminder that sometimes it takes a bit for rain to seep into a slope and make it unstable.”

Experts will continue to monitor the site. The department is arranging for large railroad containers to be placed at the edge of the highway to block any future rockfall.

“We will let this settle overnight, but in the morning our goal is to continue removing debris,” Hopkins said. “Once larger barriers are in place, we’re hopeful to have one lane in each direction while we identify a long-term solution.”

The department is also working to secure an emergency contract to use specialized equipment to scale the slope, a process that involves knocking down loose debris proactively.

Drivers are encouraged to monitor road conditions at 511.idaho.gov.

Construction activity picks up on U.S. Highway 20/26 widening

Construction activity is picking up along U.S. Highway 20/26, as the Idaho Transportation Department’s planned improvements to widen the Chinden West corridor continue. This work is part of ITD’s efforts to reduce congestion and crashes on this heavily traveled corridor.

I-84 to Middleton Road

Starting the week of September 12, construction will begin mostly off the highway on the southside of this section of US-20/26. Work includes utility and irrigation construction during daytime hours. As construction progresses, lane reductions are planned, but will be announced well ahead of time. Construction in this section is anticipated to be complete in 2024.

Middleton Road to Star Road

Preliminary design continues on this 6-mile segment of US-20/26. ITD will share updates and host another open house in 2023 for the public to view final design plans. A link to materials shared during the previous May 2022 open house is available at itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Star Road to State Highway 16

Drivers should currently plan for overnight lane closures on this portion of US-20/26 starting the week of October 10. The highway will be reduced to one lane in each direction with intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Traffic on Star Road near the highway will also be limited. Flaggers will guide drivers through the work zone. Lane reductions will occur throughout construction as ITD works to widen the highway over the next two years.

Meridian Road to Locust Grove Road

Beginning the week of September 26, crews will start utility work and clearing the ITD right of way in order to widen this section of US-20/26 to two lanes in each direction. This work will continue through December, then paving and road reconstruction is anticipated to start in February 2023 or when temperatures allow. All work will wrap up in early summer.

During construction, one lane in each direction will remain open through the work zone. However, motorists can expect shoulder work, reduced speeds, and periodic lane closures with occasional night work. Specific updates regarding schedule and potential traffic impacts will be provided to residents and businesses in the area when available.

For all work along US-20/26, ITD reminds drivers to slow down, watch for posted signs, and sign up for construction updates by either emailing chindenwest@itd.idaho.gov, calling 208.334.8007, or visiting itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Work begins to repave State Highway 55 in Valley County

Monday, September 12, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins work to repave State Highway 55 between Round Valley Road and Clear Creek in Valley County.

The project will focus on repaving a six-mile stretch of highway south of Cascade, repairing cracks, potholes, and overall uneven surfaces caused by weather, usage, and age. Additionally, construction will level out steep approaches and add a pavement apron to all roads and driveways connecting to the highway, providing a smooth and safe transition onto the newly paved surface.

Travelers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes while crews work Monday through Friday, although wait times may vary depending on traffic density. Temporary traffic signals will allow one lane to drive through the work zone at a time. Both lanes of SH-55 will be open during the weekend. Weather permitting, the project is expected to finish in late October.

“SH-55 is one of the most iconic highways in the state, with some of the best recreational opportunities Idaho has to offer,” said Greer Gardner, project engineer. “The winter snow this area is so popular for can cause wear on a highway. This maintenance will help improve safety and driving comfort for both Valley County residents and travelers.”

To learn more about the SH-55 Clear Creek project and sign up for email updates, visit itdprojects.org/sh55clearcreek.