ITD’s Office of Communication nabbed a half-dozen awards from the Idaho Press Club Saturday night, May 2, in their Best of 2024 banquet. Manager John Tomlinson and Senior PIOs Ellen Mattila and Megan Jahns won a first-place award in the Public Service Campaign category for the Idaho Ready Winter Driving Safety campaign.
District 3 (SW Idaho) Public Information Officer Sophia Miraglio won a second-place award for a selection of News Releases, while District 6 (East Idaho) PIO Sky Buffat also took secondplace in the Feature Writing category for her story about the Unheralded and Underappreciated Emergency Responders
District 5 (SE Idaho) PIO Justin Smith took third place in Feature Writing for his story about Brad Day, the Steel Wizard of D5. Program Specialist Mackenzie Stone and Graphic Designer Jared Tuttle also took thirdplace for the ITD Annual Report. The OpEd “Dream Big Dreams” also won third.
“I continue to be so impressed by the quality work of our team,” said Tomlinson. “They are rock stars and I couldn’t be any prouder!”
Tragedy is, just that, tragic. The need and desire for reverence is legitimate. Difficult and hallowed situations can also cause strength, character and work ethic to shine admirably.
In sorrow for the lives lost during the crash that this article refers to, and hope that others who can relate will know they are not alone, we share the story of our role in the response.
Idaho State Police and the Idaho Transportation Department in East Idaho have a history that speaks for itself— ISP Lieutenant Marvin Crain and his troopers don’t hesitate to rely on ITD because the partnership has been proven time and time again. ITD operations and maintenance personnel across East Idaho are used to working beside ISP, ready to assist on scene as valuable first responders and traffic control.
Such was the case on the evening of Thursday, May 1, for a multiple fatality crash on US-20 at milepost 399. ITD Ashton/ Island Park foreman Ryan Wright has been in his role for the past 15 years and is an integral part of the small communities he serves. He heard about the incident just after it happened. Knowing it was blocking both north and southbound lanes, he sent his Island Park crew to direct traffic before ISP ever called. Wright then got in his own truck and headed to the scene personally.
“I don’t know what frame of mind a guy goes into it with. I can’t say you get used to it because you don’t,” Wright emphasized. “It’s just something we have to do. I guess it’s just work mode.” He said he tries to keep his crew members from having to be right in the thick of things during crash responses.
Once there, ISP spoke with Wright to request an additional flagger farther south. An Ashton crew member was called and showed up to fill that role. Wright himself pitched in to help however he could, knowing the Fremont County Coroner personally and working alongside the familiar ISP folks involved.
Wright and his crew members were on scene and assisting until the crash was cleared around 2 a.m.
“It’s when you get home and the adrenaline goes down and you start thinking,” Wright said. “The visions in your head you just don’t get rid of.”
East Idaho ITD leadership and Safety Officer Ronnie Butler made contact personally to get CISM, the Critical Incident Stress Management team that exists in each ITD district, available and ready for Wright and his crew. The individuals who are part of a CISM team are trained to offer a listening ear, help manage expectations after a traumatic event, and connect employees to the services needed. Each member is interviewed before joining the team and has related experience of their own.
“I’m not sure why I’ve always been able to handle it because I’ve seen some terrible wrecks,” Wright added. “We each deal with stuff our own way. I’ll usually call another foreman. We have each other.”
In the time since the crash, Wright has had to re-visit the site to assess damage and determine what needs done to ensure the continued integrity of US-20 near the Montana border. This road is the connection to the western entrance of Yellowstone National Park. ITD crews will conduct mastic and grader operations in the coming weeks as soon as investigations allow.
To our ITD operations and maintenance crews across the state, your contributions as first responders and the ones who pitch in during traumatic incidents do not go un-noticed. Thank you for your strength—you are appreciated and of such great worth.
Resources will always be available to help after an incident. Any ITD employee struggling as a result of work or on a personal level, don’t hesitate to contact your CISM representatives—they are happy to help and located to be able to respond immediately. You are not alone.
Construction will commence next week to build a new passing lane on U.S. Highway 95 near Ferdinand to smooth traffic flow and provide a safer opportunity to pass.
Drivers should expect to slow to 45 mph during working hours and 55 mph during off hours through the work zone. The contractor will be working primarily Monday – Friday during daylight hours. Motorists may encounter intermittent flagging with alternating traffic that could create 15-minute delays.
The 1.1-mile passing lane will be built on the northbound side of US-95 between Windy Loop Road and Lauer Crossing Road. Starting at the existing edge line, workers will construct the new 12-foot-wide concrete passing lane and widen the existing shoulder by 6 feet. All construction is expected to end in 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.
The Idaho Transportation Department advises motorists to plan ahead for a full westbound Interstate 84 closure on Wednesday between the Garrity and Ten Mile interchanges. Crews will mobilize a large crane and other materials into the center median of I-84 to begin work on the piers for the new fly-over ramps and work on overhead sign structures. This work will begin the next stage of construction at the future I-84/State Highway 16 System Interchange.
What to expect Wednesday, May 7:
Westbound I-84 will be closed between the Ten Mile (Exit 42) and Garrity (Exit 38) interchanges from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Thursday. Traffic will exit at Ten Mile (Exit 42) and be detoured down Franklin Road to the Garrity Interchange (Exit 38). Click here for the detour map.
Ongoing nighttime lane restrictions on eastbound and westbound I-84 will take place for several weeks. Work will take place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night between the Ten Mile and Garrity interchanges (Exits 42 and 38). At least two lanes will remain open overnight. For safety of crews, the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph at night.
To request updates about the State Highway 16 project, text HIGHWAY16 to 1-866-483-8422.
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.
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.
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.
BOISE — With warmer days bringing more motorcycles to Idaho’s roads, May marks Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month; a time to highlight the importance of safe driving and riding practices. The Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety (ICMS), in partnership with the Office of Highway Safety (OHS), invites riders and drivers alike to stay alert and help prevent crashes.
On Saturday, May 3, 2025, riders are invited to the Motorcycle Awareness Rally at Sandy Point, Lucky Peak State Park (9723 ID-21, Boise). The event begins at 10 a.m. with an escorted ride to the Idaho State Capitol at 1 p.m., followed by a community BBQ at Kristen Armstrong Municipal Park hosted by the Christian Motorcycle Association.
Recent crash data from 2023 reveals concerning trends:
• 609 motorcycle crashes, up 11% from 2022
• 39 motorcyclist fatalities, a 38% increase from the previous year
• 86% of riders involved in crashes were injured
• 44% of all fatal motorcycle crashes involved only the motorcycle
• 21% of fatal motorcycle crashes involved impaired riders
• 82% of motorcyclists killed were 30 or older, and more than half were over 50
• Helmet use among riders 18 and over in crashes remains under 67%, despite Idaho law requiring it only for those under 18
“These are more than statistics. They’re lives lost, families grieving,” said Lane Triplett, ICMS member and longtime safety advocate. “Motorcycles are less visible and less forgiving. A second glance can save a life.”
“The increasing number of motorcyclist deaths is very concerning and as Idahoans, we look out for one another,” said OHS Motorcycle Safety Coordinator Jillian Garrigues. “We can all do our part to make our roads safer. Drivers can watch out for motorcyclists, riders can improve their skills through training, and all of us can respect speed limits and ride and drive sober.”
Safety Tips
For drivers:Check your blind spots, watch for motorcycles when turning or changing lanes, and give riders plenty of space. For riders: Wear a helmet, ride sober, and keep your skills sharp through regular training.
Triplett adds, “Safety doesn’t take the fun out of riding. It keeps the ride going.”
Learn more about safe riding practices and upcoming safety events at www.idahostar.org or follow OHS on social media.
With repairs to the slide area at milepost 146.5 on U.S. Highway 95 now complete, the Idaho Transportation Department is reinstating routine permitting for commercial vehicles on State Highway 55 starting May 5.
Length restrictions had been temporarily lifted for the last month to allow companies to continue delivering goods to rural communities while crews worked to reopen US-95 between Council and New Meadows following a landslide on March 16.
Given the narrow and winding conditions on SH-55, only certain combinations of trucks and trailers are typically allowed for safety reasons. All regular restrictions are back in place for both highways.
For 24/7 updates on the status of Idaho highways, including restrictions for commercial vehicles, visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates.
US-95 set to reopen Monday morning after critical repairs made to large landslide
he Idaho Transportation Department will reopen U.S. Highway 95 between New Meadows and Council starting Monday.
This critical north-south route sustained significant damage from heavy rainfall on March 16, prompting a partial closure and the immediate launch of emergency design efforts. Repairs began on March 31, and this Monday will mark exactly four weeks since the full closure of the highway. Construction crews have been working extended hours, including two shifts per day. This accelerated schedule made it possible to reopen the highway in under a month.
“US-95 is one of Idaho’s most essential transportation routes, and from day one we knew we had to act swiftly and decisively to reopen in April,” said Dan McElhinney, ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer. “We deeply appreciate the public’s patience and the continued collaboration among all city, county and local business partners throughout the closure.”
Crews may be completing roadside and guardrail work using temporary lane closures as needed.
“The expedited work by our engineers and contractor to reopen US-95 was focused on quality and community support,” said Jason Brinkman, ITD District 3 Engineer.
The public is encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov before traveling on any of Idaho’s highways this summer, as construction projects on SH-55 are scheduled to begin once US-95 reopens.
This information is from the Idaho Office of Emergency Management
Businesses Impacted by U.S. Highway 95 Closure may be Eligible for Assistance
Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) is gathering information from non-farm small businesses and non-profit organizations whose operations were disrupted by the March 16 closure of U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows due to a landslide. This information will help determine whether impacted entities may be eligible for disaster assistance through low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Heavy rainfall on March 16 triggered a landslide that caused several hundred feet of roadway shoulder to give way, forcing the highway’s closure. Since then, the Idaho Transportation Department has been working to safely restore access. The highway is expected to reopen in early May once repairs are completed. In the meantime, drivers are encouraged to use State Highway 55 as an alternate route.
IOEM is in close coordination with the SBA to evaluate the potential for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. If approved following a disaster declaration request by Governor Brad Little, the program would make low-interest loans available to qualifying small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private non-profit organizations. These loans are intended to help cover ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met due to the disruption caused by the closure.
To request the declaration, the State of Idaho will need five or more qualifying EIDL worksheets from small businesses impacted by the closure. Businesses that have experienced economic losses, whether actual or estimated due to the ongoing closure, are encouraged to submit a worksheet, even if they do not intend to apply for a loan. This information is critical to demonstrate the extent of the economic impact and determine eligibility for federal assistance.
The worksheet may be found on IOEM’s website at ioem.idaho.gov/SBA. Forms can be downloaded and sent by email to jdick@imd.idaho.gov, by fax to 208.422.3044, or mailed directly to:
ATTN: Jarod Dick
4040 Guard St., Bldg. 600
Boise, ID 83705
Please note the EIDL worksheet is not a loan application; it is intended for businesses to report losses so a declaration request may be considered.
Farms and ranches are not eligible for the SBA program.
Critical repairs on US-95 to begin Monday – two shifts per day to accelerate work
Full closure on U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows will begin Monday. The contractor will be working two shifts per day to expedite the repairs and minimize the closure time.
The Idaho Transportation Department has carefully considered all potential detour options, including local roads, to minimize the impact on travelers. After exhaustive evaluation, it was determined that no local routes are capable of handling the heavy traffic diverted from US-95 due to early-season conditions and challenging terrain. To mitigate disruption, ITD recently cleared snow from the Weiser River Trail, which will serve as a bypass for local pedestrians and emergency responders. This trail provides a direct route around the closure. Designated parking on US-95 will be available on the north and south side of the landslide, ensuring residents and emergency personnel can continue to navigate the area safely. Additional details will be shared with businesses and local jurisdictions as we monitor trail demand.
Beginning Sunday evening at 8 p.m., US-95 will be fully closed to all vehicle traffic due to the oversized drill rig crane taking up both lanes. Crews will begin relocating fiber optic lines on Monday, followed by the start of excavation on Tuesday for the installation of a retaining wall. The excavation will involve removing 200 feet of pavement and digging to a depth of 10 feet across a 200-foot-long section of roadway. This work is scheduled to be complete by late April or early May.
ITD has modified commercial vehicle permits, allowing 53-foot single trailers to temporarily use State Highway 55 as a detour. This modification ensures that rural communities continue to receive deliveries of goods and services during the closure. ITD is coordinating all work on SH-55, which serves as the detour route for regional traffic. Maintenance projects that were slated to begin this spring will be postponed until US-95 is reopened.
Regular updates on the roadwork and closure will be available on 511.idaho.gov, through the 511 app, or by calling 511. ITD remains committed to restoring US-95 as quickly as possible while minimizing the impact on local communities and businesses.
The weight limit for vehicles traveling near the slide area has been increased to 26,000 lbs., up from 10,000 lbs. This change will remain in effect until Sunday’s closure.
3/26/2025 Equipment to be mobilized to US-95 landslide, full closure set for Monday
Equipment is being mobilized to begin permanent repair work on the U.S. Highway 95 landslide located between Council and New Meadows at milepost 146.5, about ten miles north of Council. Workers have been on-site since the hillside gave way last Sunday due to steady rainfall.
A full closure of US-95 to all vehicle traffic will be implemented starting Sunday evening at 8 p.m. Until then, flaggers will direct local non-truck traffic through one narrow lane during daylight hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After the closure on Sunday evening, the road will remain closed, as the contractor’s equipment will require both lanes for earthwork removal and wall installation.
On Monday, crews will begin excavation of a 200-foot-long, full-width section of the roadway, digging to a depth of 10 feet. Once excavation is complete, construction will begin immediately. The repair project will include a retaining wall, which will be anchored by steel piles driven into the stable rock layers of the slope. The highway is expected to reopen in early May once the work is completed.
There are no local detours that are passable this early in the season, and no local routes suitable for the impact of highway traffic. The Idaho Transportation Department has modified permitting for commercial vehicles to allow companies to safely operate on SH-55 to continue delivering goods to rural communities. This temporary exception allows 53-foot single trailers to use SH-55 as a detour for now.
ITD is working with emergency responders to ensure uninterrupted service for all areas. ITD is also working with local jurisdictions to identify potential alternatives for local workers to get past the US-95 closure.
For 24/7 updates on the status of the highway, visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates on this closure.
ITD modifies permitting for commercial vehicles on US-95 to ensure continued delivery of goods
In response to restrictions placed on U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows following a landslide on Sunday, the Idaho Transportation Department has modified permitting for commercial vehicles to allow companies to safely operate on State Highway 55 and continue delivering goods to rural communities.
The temporary exception allows 53-foot single trailers to use SH-55 as a detour for now. Given the narrow and winding conditions on SH-55, only certain combinations of trucks and trailers are typically allowed.
Drivers should expect more traffic on SH-55 with the current restrictions on US-95 and expect commercial vehicles to potentially slow down or stop near the Rainbow Bridge as they will be directed via signage to yield to oncoming traffic.
For 24/7 updates on the status of US-95 and SH-55 visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates.
One lane temporarily open for local traffic only through US-95 slide near Council
One lane of U.S. Highway 95 is now temporarily open at the slide at milepost 146.5 north of Council. This lane will only be for local traffic and only open during daylight hours between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. until contractor equipment begins work next week.
The highway will fully close each night as crews will only visually monitor the route during daylight for slumps or cracks that could indicate another slide.
Commercial vehicles will not be allowed on the route to avoid the narrow road. Flaggers in New Meadows and Council will direct these vehicles to turn around. The Idaho Transportation Department is working on modifying the permitting process to allow for commercial vehicles to take State Highway 55 instead. Drivers should expect to see more trucks on SH-55 and practice patience.
The engineering team is reviewing data from foundation drilling yesterday and are expecting a design of a retaining wall by Tuesday that will be anchored by steel piles driven into the stable rock layers of the slope. This data will tell the team where and how deep to drive the steel piles, and land surveyor data collected the last few days will identify the full size of the slide for wall length and height design.
ITD has a prime contractor at the ready and will be working simultaneously with the design team to secure materials and any subcontractors prior to the repairs starting next week.
There are no local detours that are passable this early in the season and able to withstand the impact of highway traffic.
ITD will issue another update next week once the design for the repairs has been completed and future impacts to traffic are better known. Drivers may not be able to pass through the slide area once repairs are underway given the size of equipment that will be on site. The highway will likely be impacted through late April.
Workers have been on scene since the hillside gave way on Sunday following steady rainfall.
For 24/7 updates on the status of the highway, visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates on this closure.
US-95 remains closed between Council and New Meadows
Guardrail hangs above a washed-out embankment
U.S. Highway 95 remains closed between Council and New Meadows due to a few hundred feet of downhill landslide of the roadway shoulder at milepost 146.5 along the Weiser River on Sunday afternoon following steady rainfall.
Engineering crews were on site this morning to assess the extent of the damage for repair decisions, and a drill crew will be on site tomorrow morning to investigate soil and slide information for a possible retaining wall.
“We aim to have one lane opened at some point this week, but just for cars,” District Engineer Jason Brinkman said. “We are concerned about allowing wider, heavier commercial vehicles on this narrow area until the repair work is complete.”
Regional traffic is encouraged to take State Highway 55 as no traffic is allowed through the landslide location. Only people who live between Council and Glendale south of the slide and between Pine Ridge and New Meadows north of the side will be allowed to access those areas. All other drivers are being turned around at the barricades in Council and New Meadows.
This particular area was already being monitored by the Idaho Transportation Department for storm damage concerns.
“These natural weather events are nearly impossible to predict,” Brinkman said. “Fortunately, given this season of storms, we are ready to respond and expedite this project.”
Getting the highway back open fully could take weeks. Motorists should visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates on this closure.
The Idaho Transportation Department will host public open houses on April 30 and May 1 to share information and gather community input for three projects along Interstate 15 between Fort Hall and Blackfoot. Community members are encouraged to drop in anytime to learn about the projects, ask questions and provide feedback to the project team.
The public is invited to view design plans in person:
Wednesday, April 30, from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Blackfoot Community Center (1350 Parkway Drive #31, Blackfoot).
Thursday, May 1, from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Shoshone-Bannock Convention Center (777 Bannock Avenue, Fort Hall).
At both meetings, ITD will share design plans about the following projects:
I-15 South Blackfoot Interchange (Exit 89) rebuild with a new design.
I-15 Exit 89 to Exit 93 Widening to increase capacity to meet future traffic demands.
Those who are unable to join ITD in person are invited to participate online at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-15-corridor. Online participants can review identical project information and comment between April 30-May 15.
Elements of the widening project are funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program. 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.
