U.S. Highway 20 Exit 333 for Rexburg will remain closed through Labor Day weekend and into next week. Contractors and crews have encountered multiple difficulties on site, including the breakage and repair of a main sewer line last week, causing unanticipated delays. The Idaho Transportation Department is now committed to Exit 333 being open ahead of the influx of university traffic on Friday, September 13.
While this primary exit into Rexburg has been closed during the month of August, ITD and contractor partners have repaired and rebuilt multiple city utilities, constructed and repaired drainage and irrigation systems, as well as removed and reconfigured the road itself. This work takes additional operational time now but will save city and community partners from having to close the roadway for infrastructure needs in the future.
“We know that Rexburg has endured a lot with construction this summer,” Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We hope people will continue to be patient for just a little longer and know that the end outcome will be a major improvement for the long-term future.”
Completion of all work on both Exit 332 for University Boulevard and Exit 333 for Main Street is still expected to be completed by late fall. Motorists should plan for continued construction near the interchanges until that time, with at least one lane of traffic open in both directions.
Exit 333 will reopen with the same diverging diamond interchange design as is now operating at exit 332. This traffic pattern is far more efficient than what was in place before and will greatly improve travel to and from Rexburg.
Further details about this project and how to drive the new design can be found at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg.
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Operators with the Idaho Transportation Department have spent over 3,000 hours clearing hazard trees from more than 12 miles of highways in the Panhandle this summer.
“In 2023 we initiated a statewide roadside tree assessment and enhanced removal plan to understand the scope of work to expand our ability to address Idaho highway hazards, “ confirms ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney, “Working with federal partners and local owners, we have taken lead in clearing highway adjacent hazard trees for improving errant driver safety recovery zones, wildlife visibility, and fire protection widths by using innovative new cutting equipment resources for ITD employees and now adding contracts with local firms to tackle larger removal projects with ITD during the next few years.”
This summer alone ITD maintenance operators addressed a five-mile stretch of State Highway 5 near Heyburn State Park, roughly four miles of State Highway 54 between Athol and Farragut State Park, a three-mile stretch of State Highway 97, multiple zones adjacent to I-90 and several emergency tree removals across State Highway 57 after falls across the roadway.
Next year the department plans to work with the Priest River Ranger District to clear all 37 miles along State Highway 57. Besides making the road safer for travelers, tree removal is also heavily supported from the perspective of the U.S. Forest Service as a fire break through this densely wooded area between Priest River and Priest Lake.
This year staff in North Idaho were also able to test out several new machines to best utilize funding for equipment. One operation planned for two days along Interstate 90 was completed in just four hours with the use of a FAE Forestry Mulcher. The mulcher not only grinds downed trees to eliminate the cost and work of waste removal, but also has the capability to cut and fall trees up to 18 inches in diameter, which represent the vast majority of trees within the roadway clear zone. With the help of its cutting and falling capabilities, this single-operator mulcher also enhances safety by eliminating the need for sawyers to work on the ground within the fall zone.
ITD plans to continue its focus on tree removal along highways by working with agency and utility partners, dedicating staff time to this effort and purchasing new equipment to make operations safer and more efficient.
The Idaho Transportation Department will begin preparations next week to replace the Fleming Creek Bridge on State Highway 55 near Banks. Work is expected to begin Wednesday, Sept. 4 and is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2025.
Fleming Creek runs under SH-55 toward the Payette River approximately 3.7 miles south of Banks. The current bridge is a culvert and has reached the end of its design life.
During construction, motorists can expect a reduced speed limit, 11-foot width restrictions and no shoulders on SH-55 throughout the work zone. Most work will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be intermittent night work and lane closures from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Flaggers and a temporary traffic signal will direct motorists during lane closures.
“We are completing the majority of work from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025,” said ITD project manager Greer Gardner. “Our hope is that doing this project during the ‘off-season’ will help alleviate traffic congestion and delays along State Highway 55.”
For more information on this project, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/55-fleming-creek.
Lower Stanley is being evacuated due to the movement of the Wapiti Fire. State Highway 75 will be closed at Museum (MP 190), Gateway (MP 192) and Casino Creek (195). Both directions of SH-75 are closed due to the fire risk. State Highway 21 from Stanley to Sour Dough Lodge is still closed in both directions.
We will continue to monitor fire movement and issue road closures as needed. Drivers in the area should keep an eye out for signage about the fire and avoid areas that are blocked off. The road closures include pedestrian, bicycling and other modes of transportation.
Go to 511.idaho.gov for up to date information on road closures and more. You can also follow Wapiti Fire Info 2024 for more fire information.
Starting Tuesday, our partners with the BNSF Railway will begin work on their crossing at State Highway 54 in Athol that will require the closure of this intersection for two days.
During this time drivers will need to utilize an alternate route around the work area.
Updates about this closure will be available through the Idaho 511 system, either online, by phone, or through the ap.
You can file your Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) online!
Although you cannot file your Form 2290 with the Idaho Transportation Department, all of the information that is needed to file with the IRS can be found below.
You can E-file and E-Pay your HVUT at the Trucking Tax Center website.
What will you need to E-File Form 2290?
- You must have an employer identifier number (EIN). If you do not have an EIN, you can apply for one from the IRS online.
- You must know the taxable gross weight of your vehicle(s). If you do not know, you can figure your taxable gross weight by using the instructions provided by the IRS.
- Your name on your Form 2290 must be the same as the name on your EIN.
- You must have a complete vehicle identification number (VIN).
- You must have an email address.
Need more help? View the IRS guide for Form 2290.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites the public to learn about a pilot sign project on seven miles of State Highway 55/Eagle Road, from Interstate 84 to State Highway 44.
For more information and to submit feedback, visit the project website at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/eagle-road-safety-corridor.
ITD will hold two public open houses for the Eagle Road Safety Awareness Pilot Project. These meetings are designed to engage the community and gather feedback on proposed safety enhancements along Eagle Road, Idaho’s busiest non-interstate highway.
Meeting details:
- Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 5 – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime) Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, 700 NE 2nd Street, Meridian, ID 83642
- Thursday, Aug. 29 | 5 – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime) Hilton Garden Inn, 145 E Riverside Drive, Eagle, ID 83616
With more than 60,000 vehicles a day, the two-year pilot project includes adding new warning signage and speed feedback signs this fall to aid drivers, possibly installing congestion variable speed zone signs next year, and the removal of these four mid-block left-turns to help reduce crashes on SH-55:
• Southbound left-in at Meadowdale Street
• Northbound left-in Baldcypress Street
• Southbound U-turn near Ustick Road
• Northbound left-in at Lanark Street
Two of ITD’s research projects were recently selected by AASHTO as High Value Research winners in a competition among state DOTs across the nation. The first project, “Bees and Butterflies in Roadside Habitats” assessed pollinator diversity along Idaho’s roadsides, focusing on areas critical for monarch butterflies. The second project, “Experimental Validation of Repair Methods for Earthquake-Damaged Bridges Incorporating ITD’s Precast Pier System” focused initially on developing a precast pier system to improve the seismic resilience of bridges in Idaho. That led to a study investigating the use of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete for repairing earthquake-damaged piers, which showed promising results in restoring structural integrity.
The AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) High Value Research competition recognizes outstanding transportation research that demonstrates significant value and impact. These awards celebrate projects that address pressing issues in transportation, from improving infrastructure resilience to enhancing resource conservation. The winning projects were recognized at the AASHTO Research Advisory Committee meeting in Columbus, Ohio on July 22.
ITD Research Program Manager Ned Parrish and Senior Research Analyst Amanda Laib represented ITD and accepted the awards on behalf of the department. Amanda is pictured above center, with certificate. Winning projects from Wyoming, Colorado and Texas DOTs are also shown. The ITD projects will also be presented at a special poster session at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., in January 2025.
The recognition of these projects by AASHTO underscores ITD’s dedication to advancing transportation infrastructure. These innovative research outcomes not only enhance infrastructure resilience and resource conservation but also reflects ITD’s standing as a leader in innovative transportation solutions.
ITD Roadside Program Manager Cathy Ford led the pollinator project. Researchers at Montana State University surveyed various roadside habitats, identifying patterns that support pollinator health. The study found that smaller highways and sagebrush-bordered roadsides had a higher incidence of bee and butterfly species. The project also mapped essential milkweed patches and recommended management strategies to enhance pollinator habitats. These recommendations are being integrated into ITD’s operational practices to support conservation efforts and avoid regulatory complications.
Highways Development Division Administrator and State Bridge Engineer Mike Johnson managed the earthquake-damaged bridge project. Extensive testing at Idaho State University showed the new system’s superior performance compared to traditional methods. This research led to the implementation of the precast pier system in the Interstate 15 Fort Hall Interchange, significantly reducing construction time and minimizing traffic disruptions.
The Idaho Transportation Department will begin maintenance work next week on the 18th Street Bridge over Interstate 84 in Mountain Home. Crews plan to start repairs Thursday night, with the project expected to be completed this fall.
Motorists and area residents can expect:
- 18th Street over I-84 will close nightly between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Traffic will be detoured to NE Reservoir Road, U.S. Highway 20/26 and 8th Street.
- Work may be noisy.
Improvements on this bridge include:
- Repairing roadway cracks to enhance safety and durability.
- Applying an epoxy overlay to protect the driving surface from water damage.
- Completing joint work to allow the bridge to flex and accommodate changes in weather and heavy loads.
- Adding bearing pads to reduce vibration and evenly distribute the weight of traffic across the structure.
The safety of crews and motorists is important to ITD. Please use caution when driving through the work zone. To plan your route in advance, visit 511.idaho.gov.
To learn more about the project or sign up for construction updates, visit the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/84bridges, or text 84BRIDGES to 1-866-483-8422.
Beginning tomorrow at noon the eastbound Interstate 86 to southbound Interstate 15 ramp will be closed while crews construct a temporary road to the new eastbound to southbound ramp. Eastbound traffic on I-86 looking to travel south on I-15 will be detoured north through the Northgate Interchange (Exit 73). The closed ramp will reopen late Sunday.
This work will allow the eastbound lanes to be adjusted to the grade of the new ramp. Doing the work this weekend will limit traffic impacts during the peak Labor Day weekend.
Originally built in the 1960s, the I-86 and I-15 System Interchange is undergoing $112 million of redesign work to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure. The project is scheduled to be completed next summer.
Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night at the System Interchange it is especially important that drivers be alert and proceed safely through the work area.
Motorists are encouraged to use https://511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours. Project details are available here on ITD’s projects website —https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-86i-15-system-interchange
