AMERICAN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department has invited members of the community to review plans for a new roundabout at the intersection of Pocatello Avenue (I-86B) and State Highway 39 at an open house on Thursday, Aug. 1.
The drop-in event will run from 4 to 7 p.m. at the American Falls District Library (308 Roosevelt St.).
In response to concerns about safety and operations, ITD considered many alternatives for improving the intersection. Each alternative was evaluated based on factors such as cost, traffic capacity, delays, safety, right-of-way needs and community input.
Community members were invited to give comments at a series of workshops in 2018.
“We would like to thank every person who participated in the design process,” said ITD Engineering Manager Dan Harelson. “We received valuable input that helped us ensure the new intersection will serve both commercial and local traffic.”
The new roundabout will allow a continuous flow of traffic without requiring drivers to wait for a light or a stop sign. A video of a similarly sized roundabout, as well as background materials about this project, is available at https://itdprojects.org/pocatelloave_i86b.
Construction is expected to begin in 2022.
Ahead of constructing additional lanes on Interstate 84 in Canyon County, the Idaho Transportation Department is reconfiguring westbound lanes of the Interstate near the Franklin Blvd. interchange.
Currently, three westbound lanes are reduced to two lanes with the far left lane merging into the center lane. In the new configuration, the left lane will no longer merge, remaining a travel lane. The far right lane will end, used as the off-ramp to Franklin Blvd. A similar configuration is on westbound I-84 at the Garrity Blvd. interchange, where the Interstate is reduced from four to three lanes.
“This reconfiguration maintains the existing capacity of I-84 during construction,” said ITD Project Manager Styles Salek. “With this change, we remind motorists to slow down, plan ahead and pay attention in construction zones.”
In order to promote the safety of motorists and construction crews, ITD has partnered with the Idaho State Police to provide enhanced patrols throughout the duration of the project.
This change will allow crews to begin adding lanes in the I-84 median between Karcher/Midland and Franklin Boulevard. The addition of lanes is part of the ongoing I-84 corridor project from Nampa to Caldwell. Improvements are expected to improve safety, address congestion and benefit the regional economy for many years.
For more information about the I-84, Karcher to Franklin project, listen to the Drive Idaho podcast, visit itdprojects.org/84corridor or text 555888 to request construction updates. You can also contact ITD at 84corridor@itd.idaho.gov and (208) 334-8002.
The Idaho Transportation Department is expected to begin repairs next Wednesday (July 31) on Interstate 84 east of Jerome to improve roadway conditions for motorists. Work will occur between milepost 166 and 174 on both eastbound and westbound lanes.
While crews are onsite, directional traffic will be reduced to one lane.
Repairs are anticipated to take place between 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Drivers should exercise caution and watch for crews on the following days:
– Wednesday & Thursday (July 31 – August 1)
– Monday & Tuesday (August 5 – August 6)
The Idaho Transportation Department has scheduled an overnight closure for the westbound I-84 off-ramp at the Karcher/Midland Interchange on Friday, July 26. The planned closure will allow crews to pave the ramp as part of ongoing improvements to widen I-84 from Nampa to Caldwell.
The off-ramp will be closed from 10 p.m. July 26 to 7 a.m. July 27. Motorists seeking access to Karcher Road or Midland Boulevard from westbound I-84 will need to use the Northside Boulevard exit and follow posted detour signs. See a map of the detours below.
Overnight closures on I-84 are part of ITD’s large-scale project geared towards improving the I-84 corridor between Nampa and Caldwell. The work is expected to improve safety, address congestion and benefit the regional economy for many years.
For more information about I-84 in Canyon County, listen to the Drive Idaho podcast or visit ITDprojects.org/84corridor. To request construction updates right to your cell phone, text 84CORRIDOR to 555888.
POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department will close the Interstate 15 Rose Road Interchange (Exit 98) for paving on Friday, July 26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The northbound and southbound off-ramps will also be closed during this time.
Construction includes widening the Rose Road overpass and increasing its vertical clearance; reconfiguring and lengthening the interchange ramps; and replacing two canal structures to support current traffic loads.
Traffic will detour around the closure and will be notified with digital messaging boards prior to the closures.
This ongoing reconstruction of the interchange at Rose Road (Exit 98) is expected to be completed in late 2019.
More information about the project is available at itdprojects.org/rose. Community members may sign up for email updates by texting INTERSTATE 15 to 22828 or emailing I-15construction@itd.idaho.gov.
REXBURG – Traffic will be switched to the westbound lanes beginning today (Wednesday, July 24) on the US-20 Lorenzo Bridge in Madison County. The bridge rehabilitation is expected to be completed this fall.
The off- and on-ramps of Exit 325 will remain open to traffic during the project, except for the eastbound on-ramp to Rexburg. Motorists will not be able to enter US-20 eastbound toward Rexburg from the Exit 325 interchange and will instead need to detour through Rigby at the Exit 322 on-ramp or use an alternate route.
“This rehabilitation will entail resurfacing of the bridge deck, replacing the guardrail, improving the bridge approaches and finishing with new pavement,” said ITD Project Manager Eli Robinson.
Drivers can expect traffic delays for the duration of the project. Reduced speed limits will be in effect and traffic will be shifted over periodically to single-lane, two-way traffic.
Idaho Transportation Department maintenance workers will repair US-95 near the Lincoln Avenue/Walnut Avenue intersection for the next two weeks.
Work will start Monday, July 29 at the US-95 interchange with Northwest Boulevard. Drivers leaving the downtown area on Northwest Boulevard will not be able to take the northbound ramp to US-95 for approximately two days as it is repaved. The ramp will open at night, but during the day drivers will be directed to use Lacrosse Avenue as a detour to the highway.
After ramp work is complete, crews will patch the bridge deck. One lane in each direction will be open, but drivers should expect short delays when traffic must be stopped to move equipment on and off the bridge. Drivers will also not be able to turn left from US-95 onto Northwest Boulevard.
Work will progress north to the Lincoln Avenue/Walnut Avenue intersection. Flaggers at the intersection will guide alternating traffic.
Repairs will address the deteriorating pavement in advance of the planned intersection redesign, which has been delayed to 2026 as part of an update to ITD’s seven-year program.
The program is out for public comment until Aug. 2.
From Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2 crews will walk the arch of the Perrine Bridge as part of a routine inspection. An unmanned aerial vehicle (commonly known as a drone or UAV) will also be deployed to examine the structure.
This will be the first time the Idaho Transportation Department has employed a drone for this type of bridge inspection. Close monitoring will be done throughout the process to determine whether efficiencies can be gained through UAV use which could benefit further bridge assessments throughout the state.
Base jumping may be subject to short restrictions during portions of the examination. ITD will provide personnel stationed on the bridge to coordinate with inspection crews and jumpers during regulated periods.
Weather permitting, inspection will occur from approximately 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Photos from this and other bridge inspections will be shared on ITD’s social media platforms:
– Instagram: @Idaho_Transportation_Dept
– Facebook: @IdahoTransportationDepartment
– Twitter: @IdahoITD
RIGBY – Construction is expected to begin today (Monday, July 22) on a 29-mile stretch of Interstate 15 from milepost 167 north of the Dubois Interchange to the Montana state line. Crews will add a surface treatment to the northbound and southbound lanes of I-15 to extend the life of the pavement.
Motorists should expect single lane traffic with lane closures of no more than four miles throughout the project. Interchange ramps will temporarily close for no more than one day at a time. Crews will work Monday through Friday, finishing in late September. Although weekend work is not expected, some Saturday work may occur in order to adhere to the overall project timeline.
View map of the project area.
Motorists are advised to check 511.idaho.gov for roadwork updates.
Sealcoats to preserve existing pavement on several highways across North-Central Idaho will begin Thursday, July 25. All work will be done by September.
Flaggers will direct traffic to run on one lane of loose gravel through these work zones. All lanes will be open at night when crews are not working.
The following routes are planned to be sealcoated:
- Idaho Highway 8 between Ruby Creek and Elk River: 10 miles starting July 25
- Idaho Highway 7 between Orofino and Ahsahka: 4 miles starting July 31
- Idaho Highway 11 between Greer and the top of the grade: 8 miles starting Aug. 1
- Idaho Highway 64 between Kamiah and milepost 30.8: 4 miles starting Aug. 5
- US-95 from Grangeville north to the concrete section: 12 miles starting Aug. 7
- US-95 Cottonwood business loop: 2 miles starting Aug. 9
- US-95 near Craigmont from Lauer Lane to Westlake Road: 2 miles starting August 12
- US-95 passing lane in Culdesac Canyon at milepost 289: starting Aug. 13
- US-95 between Lapwai and the Spalding Bridge: 4 miles starting Aug. 14
- US-12 dike route in Lewiston: 2 miles starting Aug. 15
Note that dates and order of work are subject to change. Most sections will take two days or less to sealcoat.
Also called chip sealing, applying sealcoats protects the surface of the road and extends the lifespan of the pavement. A sticky slurry is sprayed on the road, rock chips are applied on top of the slurry and traffic compresses the chips into place for a long-lasting seal.
Reduced speeds are required on fresh sealcoats to prevent loose rocks from flying up. Following product application, work zones will be broomed off and restriped in groups, rather than one at a time.
