Archives: News

 

Sections of some state highways in Boundary County will find themselves under weight and speed restrictions starting at 6 a.m. tomorrow as regional weather trends begin to warm ahead of spring.

Immediate impacts to commercial vehicles will be:

US-95 from the US-2 junction to Eastport (milepost 511 to 538.56)

Commercial vehicles 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating and greater will be restricted to 30 miles per hour with legal axle weight

US-2 from the US-95 junction to the Montana state line (milepost 64.35 to 80.18)

Commercial vehicles 10,000 GVWR and greater will be restricted to 30 miles per hour with legal axle weight

SH-1 from the US-95 junction to Porthill (milepost 0 to 11.19)

Commercial vehicles 10,000 GVWR and greater will be restricted to 30 miles per hour and 14,000 LB per axle, or legal axle weight whichever is less

State Highways 200 and 57 in Bonner County will likely also see similar restrictions in place starting next week.

As the season changes, additional sections of highways across the entire Idaho Panhandle may have load limits and speed restrictions in effect. These restrictions are communicated with red/green indicator flags on load limit signs. Red means restrictions are in effect and large vehicles must follow the reduced limits. When green flags are out it means all traffic can flow without restrictions as the road conditions are more stable.

ITD crews closely monitor both weather and road conditions and make determinations about restrictions being in effect, which is why drivers may see them intermittently on and off as conditions change.

“These restrictions are put in place when the highways start showing signs of stress from the winter freeze/thaw cycle,” Boundary Foreman George Shutes said.

As the frost and ice thaw, they turn into water underneath the road, making the ground soft and highly vulnerable to damage. Large vehicles, because of their weight, push that water as they drive, almost like a wave moving through the layers beneath the road. This causes serious damage to the highway’s base and pavement, leading to cracks, erosion, and ultimately, the road breaking down much faster.

Slowing those vehicles down, and in some cases, limiting the weight, significantly reduces the stress on the roadway and prevents unnecessary damage like severe potholes. This not only protects the road from costly repairs, but also extends its lifespan, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars and ensuring safer driving conditions for everyone.

While restrictions are in effect, state law does not require large vehicles to pull over or allow cars to pass. This means that there is the potential for delays with reduced speeds along highway corridors.

“The best thing people can do this time of year is give themselves a little extra time to get from point A to point B,” Idaho State Police Sergeant Ron Sutton said. “Too often we see people get impatient and take unnecessary risks, like attempting to pass when it’s not safe, and those decisions can lead to disaster.”

Load limit restriction information is largely targeted towards commercial drivers on the 511 system, however that information is available to everyone by adjusting program settings. Drivers can find up to the minute road restriction information both online and through the app by following the steps below.

Online users can select the ‘Restrictions’ option under ‘Trucker Information’ on the menu on the right side of the page. See the first example below.

Mobile users can select the driver view setting to toggle into ‘Trucker view’ mode to view restriction information.  See the second example below.

Example 1

Example 2

UPDATE: This service will now be on duty Monday – Thursday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., after further coordination with law enforcement. 

The Idaho Transportation Department is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new Incident Response Vehicle program, which will begin operation next week to assist drivers along key corridors in North Idaho. This initiative is designed to enhance safety by providing rapid response to disabled vehicles, minor crashes, and other roadside emergencies, allowing motorists to get safely off the highway with minimal delay or risk to other drivers.

The IVR will primarily patrol the I-90 corridor, focusing particularly on work zones where limited shoulders and a lack of space pose more risk for travelers experiencing difficulties. These high-priority areas include ongoing construction projects at the State Highway 41 Interchange and the upcoming four lane expansion between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Additionally, the truck will respond to incidents along the US-95 corridor stretching from the Spokane River Bridge to Lancaster Road through Coeur d’Alene.

The program will offer a wide range of services to assist drivers in need, including helping with flat tire changes, delivering small amounts of fuel for vehicles that have run out, jump-starting dead batteries, and even providing push or pull assistance for vehicles stuck in ditches following a crash or slide-off. The truck is fully equipped with the tools necessary to address minor maintenance issues and also has lights and signs to alert other drivers to a potential hazard while they work to clear the incident. Outside of keeping everyone safer, these free services are expected to save money by preventing costly congestion.

The new truck will be operated by a dedicated ITD operations employee and will be in service from Tuesday to Friday, between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The schedule was created based on data analysis of traffic volume and incident trends to maximize the program’s impact during peak hours and will be subject to change with the season.

“We are excited to bring this vital service to North Idaho,” said Ryan Crabtree, ITD Business Operations Manager. “By providing this dedicated vehicle, we are not only helping drivers get back on the road more quickly but also improving safety for everyone by reducing the risks associated with stopped vehicles in high-traffic areas.”

The new program builds on the success of a similar initiative in the Treasure Valley region of Southern Idaho, which has been operational since 1997. In fact, this initial vehicle was donated by ITD’s southern district. District One plans to add an additional incident response truck to its fleet later this summer

This new program also aims to support law enforcement agencies by helping to alleviate some of their non-emergency calls for traffic issues. With the addition of ITD’s Incident Response Truck, local law enforcement can focus on more complex and urgent matters, while ITD staff handle minor incidents and roadside assistance. For more critical traffic incidents that require police investigation, the IRV can help to provide additional traffic control to ensure the safety of first responders and other drivers on the road.

“We look forward to working closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated response to incidents,” Crabtree said. “This collaboration will help ensure that our highways are safer and that we are meeting the needs of the community.”

ITD encourages drivers to slow down and “move over” in accordance with Idaho law when emergency vehicles like this one are operating.

Anyone finding themselves in need of assistance, especially through the work zones or on busy roadways, should report emergencies to 911 or non-emergencies to local law enforcement.

The Nez Perce Tribal Police, with the support of the Idaho State Police (ISP) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), are urging drivers to follow posted signage and use the Aht’Wy Interchange on U.S. Highway 95 near the Clearwater River Casino and Lodge. Motorists who disregard road closures and traffic signs create dangerous situations that could lead to serious crashes and fatalities.

Since the interchange was opened at the eastern entrance and access at the western entrance was modified, all agencies have observed unsafe behavior. Eastbound drivers on US-95 have been seen illegally crossing the unpaved median to turn left into the access near the Nez Perce Express gas station, rather than traveling a half mile further to use the interchange. Some have even waited in oncoming traffic to make the prohibited turn, risking head-on crashes.

In response, ITD has increased signage and added barriers to further deter travelers from making this movement while soliciting the support of law enforcement.

“Drivers must pay attention to posted signage and recognize that this is a change,” said Nez Perce Tribal Chief of Police Mark Bensen. “While adjustments take time, using the interchange correctly is essential for everyone’s safety. This solution is designed to be safer for all drivers and reduce the risk of serious crashes.”

The western access to Aht’Wy Plaza near the gas station is one way and does not allow left turns of any kind. Drivers looking to turn left into the plaza or to exit the gas station should use the interchange.

Proper Use of the Aht’Wy Interchange

Entering

• Take the Nez Perce Drive exit off the highway.
• Slow down and stop at the intersection.
• Turn onto Nez Perce Drive to access Aht’Wy Plaza.

Exiting

• Follow signs on Nez Perce Drive back toward the interchange.
• Use the appropriate exit ramp for Lewiston or Orofino.
• Accelerate down the ramp to highway level and safely merge with US-95 traffic.

ISP troopers continue to monitor compliance and emphasize that changes in driver behavior are necessary to prevent further incidents.

“Too many motorists are ignoring traffic control measures and creating serious risks to other drivers,” said ISP Lieutenant Ken Yount. “We will continue having a presence in the area to ensure compliance and improve safety.”

The interchange is part of a significant engineering initiative to enhance traffic safety and reduce collisions in an area historically prone to fatal accidents.

“This interchange was carefully designed and implemented to improve traffic flow and minimize conflict points, ultimately reducing the potential for severe crashes,” said ITD District 2 Engineer Doral Hoff. “These changes prioritize safety and efficiency for all drivers, and we strongly encourage motorists to use the interchange as intended to prevent further tragedies.”

A downloadable map is available to help drivers better understand the interchange and ensure safe travel.

For more information, please contact the Nez Perce Tribal Police, ISP, or ITD.