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Traffic shift scheduled Saturday night for I-90 through CDA

Drivers who travel through the work zone on Interstate 90 in Coeur d’Alene are advised to pay extra attention as traffic impacts are scheduled to change Saturday night (Sept. 15), depending on weather conditions.

Once eastbound lanes are completed, traffic will shift from the median to the newly paved lanes. Westbound traffic will then move to the median to allow crews to reconstruct the remaining lanes.

Two lanes will stay open in each direction. Traffic impacts will be similar to those from earlier this summer: through traffic should use the left lane, and drivers who need to exit must use the right lane. Westbound lanes will be divided near the 15th Street on ramp by concrete barrier, after which drivers will not be able to change lanes.

Westbound on- and off-ramps at Fourth Street will be closed for the next month, and the westbound off-ramp at US-95 will be closed next week.

This is the final major traffic shift planned for the project, which will lower the roadway by two feet and eliminate the need for over-height trucks to be detoured around bridges on the interstate.

Work on the interstate through town began in 2017. Last year, the interstate from Sherman Avenue to Ninth Street was completed, and by the end of October crews will finish reconstructing the interstate from Ninth Street to Northwest Boulevard.

Nighttime closures on Overland Road in Meridian begin Sept. 11; closures in place through Sept. 16

Road Work Ahead sign

Overland Road will be closed overnight at Idaho Highway 69 (Meridian Road) during the nights of Sept. 11-16 while the Idaho Transportation Department repaves the intersection.

The work is part of a series of safety improvements and pavement maintenance on ID-69.

During overnight paving, motorists on Overland Road will be detoured around the closure from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The detour route will use Locust Grove and South Stoddard Road. One lane of Meridian Road will be open in both directions and flaggers will direct traffic as needed. All lanes will be open during the day.

Construction on ID-69 is expected to be completed by late September. For more information, visit www.itdprojects.org/projects/sh69 or text SH69 to 22828 to request email updates.

DMV driver’s license status update; plus status check on license issuance across Idaho

Sept. 10, 2018 UPDATE

Two weeks after vendor software issues halted the issuance of driver’s licenses in county DMV offices across Idaho, an interim solution is in place—with licenses being successfully processed for customers. With the system stabilized, the Idaho Transportation Department will work collaboratively with sheriffs to develop a long-term solution.

During the week of Sept. 3, statewide offices were open without interruption and the number of licenses issued increased daily. On Sept. 4, 1,724 credentials were processed. That number jumped to 2,023 on Sept. 6. While many offices saw larger volumes of customers, an ITD emergency extension for expired licenses has provided a reprieve for customers through Oct. 31, 2018.

Critical to the success of a stable system, is enhanced communication and partnership with sheriffs, county staff, law enforcement and Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s office. Daily communications and updates provide coordinated information to multiple parties and has created a positive dialogue. That conversation will continue specific to the exploration of a permanent plan that alleviates service interruptions

“The collaboration between ITD, the sheriffs, county staff and Governor’s Office has been tremendous,” said ITD Division of Motor Vehicles Administrator Alberto Gonzalez. “ITD again thanks every customer and our county partners for their patience as we move forward.”

To learn more about extension details, click here. To speak to a member of ITD’s DMV customer care team, please call 208.334.8736.

Sept. 7, 2018 UPDATE

  • License transactions continue to increase statewide. On Sept. 6, 2,023 credentials were issued. An average summer Thursday sees around 1,870.
  • Office traffic remains steady.
  • ITD thanks everyone for their patience as the system remains stable and the workaround solution is maintained.

Sept. 6, 2018 UPDATE

  • County DMV offices continue to process and issue licenses. On Sept. 5, 1,838 licenses were issued statewide. That’s an increase over the 1,724 issued the day prior.
  • Office traffic remains steady.

Sept. 5, 2018 UPDATE

  • County DMV offices are processing and issuing driver’s licenses. On Sept. 4, 1,724 licenses were issued statewide. A typical day sees somewhere between 1,850-1,900. The steady progress indicates the system workaround solution is working.
  • Additional training between ITD and county DMV staff continues.
  • Office traffic remains steady. Large volumes of customers are expected this week after outages last week. ITD and county staff appreciate the patience of customers visiting offices.

Sept. 4, 2018 UPDATE

  • All county DMV offices are expected to be open this week. Please check with our local DMV office for hours of operation.
  • The working solution remains in place for county sheriff staff to issue driver’s licenses.
  • Larger volumes of customers are anticipated. ITD and county staff appreciate the patience of our customers.
  • More information is available about the emergency extension implementation through Oct. 31, 2018, for all Idaho drivers with expiring or expired driver’s licenses due to recent DMV office closures.
    Idahoans whose driver’s licenses expired in July and August and have not renewed or licenses will expire in September:

    • Will automatically have their licenses extended until Oct. 31 by the DMV
    • This extension will be made to the individual’s DMV record and be visible to law enforcement
    • The extension will be available to the driver’s vehicle insurance company

    Idahoans who are flying commercially whose license have been extended by the DMV need to:

    • Present their current license to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
    • The TSA accepts a driver’s license that is up to one year past the expiration date as a valid identity document
    • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to renew it at a county Sheriff’s DMV office

    The extension does not apply to:

    • Drivers whose privileges are currently suspended
    • Drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses who do not have a legal presence document with the DMV
    • Drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses with an expired HazMat endorsement

    Idahoans who have questions can contact the DMV at:

Aug. 31, 2018

The Idaho Transportation Department and county sheriff staff continue to use a workaround solution to issue driver’s licenses. Please check with your local DMV office for hours of operation as more counties open their doors. ITD appreciates our customers and county staff for their patience as driver’s license services come back online in counties across the state.

More information is available about the emergency extension implementation through Oct. 31, 2018, for all Idaho drivers with expiring or expired driver’s licenses due to recent DMV office closures.

Idahoans whose driver’s licenses expired in July and August and have not renewed or licenses will expire in September:

  • Will automatically have their licenses extended until Oct. 31 by the DMV
  • This extension will be made to the individual’s DMV record and be visible to law enforcement
  • The extension will be available to the driver’s vehicle insurance company

Idahoans who are flying commercially whose license have been extended by the DMV need to:

  • Present their current license to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • The TSA accepts a driver’s license that is up to one year past the expiration date as a valid identity document
  • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to renew it at a county Sheriff’s DMV office

The extension does not apply to:

  • Drivers whose privileges are currently suspended
  • Drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses who do not have a legal presence document with the DMV
  • Drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses with an expired HazMat endorsement

Idahoans who have questions can contact the DMV at:

 

Idaho sees increase in deadly crashes this summer

BOISE – Labor Day weekend has come and gone, marking the unofficial end of summer and the end of the 100 Deadliest Days of summer driving.

Preliminary data from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) shows at least 104 people were killed in traffic crashes between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend this year—an increase from 91 deaths in 2017 and the highest total in the last five years.

“This is a trend we all need to work together to change,” said ITD Highway Safety Manager John Tomlinson.

An estimated 94% of all crashes are caused by human error. The Office of Highway Safety partnered with law enforcement agencies across the state on high-visibility enforcement efforts to improve those behaviors. Tomlinson says making our roads safer is something everyone needs to take part in.

“If we look out for each other, we can make a difference,” he said. “Be engaged drivers, buckle up, and drive sober.”

Ramps at Northwest Boulevard in CDA scheduled for closures next week

Maintenance crews will resurface Northwest Boulevard on either side of the bridge over Interstate 90 in Coeur d’Alene next week.

Work is scheduled to take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sept. 10 and 11.

The north side of the bridge will be resurfaced the first night, during which the westbound on- and off-ramps will be closed. The south side of the bridge will be resurfaced next, and the eastbound on- and off-ramps will be closed then.

Detours will be posted both nights.

Weekend ramp closure planned for I-84/Karcher Interchange in Nampa; detour will be in place

Road Work Ahead sign

Ongoing improvements to the Interstate 84/Karcher Interchange in Nampa will require the closure of the westbound off-ramp (Exit 33A) this weekend.

The ramp closure will begin Friday at 8 p.m. and will last until 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 10.

Westbound Interstate 84 motorists will be directed to use Exit 35 at Northside Blvd. instead of Exit 33A during this closure. See detour map.

The project is scheduled to wrap up this fall.

*Eliminating exit 33B and adding lanes at exit 33A/Midland Blvd.
*Adding a second southbound lane to Midland Blvd.
*Adding a second left turn lane from the Karcher Bypass to southbound Midland Blvd.
*Upgrading sidewalks and traffic signals

To sign up for construction updates, please email Jennifer.gonzalez@itd.idaho.gov or call 208.334.8938.

UPDATE: Idaho Highway 69/Overland Road nighttime closures rescheduled for Sept. 11-16

Road Work Ahead sign

BOISE– The Idaho Transportation Department will delay its planned closures of Overland Road until the nights of Sept. 11-16 due to equipment-scheduling issues.

The nighttime closures are part of a series of safety improvements and pavement maintenance on Idaho Highway 69 (Meridian Road) between Overland Road and the city of Kuna.

The project is expected to be completed by late September.

For updates about the Idaho 69 project and the Overland Road work, visit itdprojects.org/projects/69 or text SH69 to 22828 for email alerts.

MORE DETAILS: Driver’s license and I.D. card extension information for drivers with expired or expiring licenses

The Idaho Transportation Department and county sheriff staff continue to use a workaround solution to issue driver’s licenses. Please check with your local DMV office for hours of operation as more counties open their doors. ITD appreciates our customers and county staff for their patience as driver’s license services come back online in counties across the state.

More information is available about the emergency extension implementation through Oct. 31, 2018, for all Idaho drivers with expiring or expired driver’s licenses due to recent DMV office closures.

Idahoans whose driver’s licenses expired in July and August and have not renewed or licenses will expire in September:

  • Will automatically have their licenses extended until Oct. 31 by the DMV
  • This extension will be made to the individual’s DMV record and be visible to law enforcement
  • The extension will be available to the driver’s vehicle insurance company

Idahoans who are flying commercially whose license have been extended by the DMV need to:

  • Present their current license to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • The TSA accepts a driver’s license that is up to one year past the expiration date as a valid identity document
  • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to renew it at a county Sheriff’s DMV office

The extension does not apply to:

  • Drivers whose privileges are currently suspended
  • Drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses who do not have a legal presence document with the DMV
  • Drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses with an expired HazMat endorsement

Idahoans who have questions can contact the DMV at:

 

Nighttime lane closures on I-90 begin next week

Next week travelers can expect nighttime lane closures on Interstate 90 near the Huetter rest area west of Coeur d’Alene.

Temporary lanes will be built in the median this fall to maintain traffic flow during bridge maintenance scheduled for next spring.

Work is expected to take place overnight Monday through Friday between 7:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. until mid-October.

As part of this project, crews will also preserve surfaces of bridges in Post Falls this fall that pass over the interstate. Bridges include those at Idaho Street, McGuire Road, Seltice Way and Pointe Parkway. Sealing the surface of each bridge is expected to take approximately one week, and during that time, at least one lane of traffic will remain open.

For updates on the bridges, check with Post Falls Assistant City Engineer Rob Paulus at (208) 457-3331. Other traffic impacts on the state system may be found by visiting 511.

ITD Gives Safety a New Look

Safety has a new look at the Idaho Transportation Department. Thursday morning employees across the state traded in their orange vests for high-visibility yellow vests.

The vests come as part of an effort across the department to focus on employee safety.

“I can’t emphasize just how significant this change is as far as prioritizing the safety of our employees,” said ITD Chief Operations Officer Travis McGrath.

Watch this video of the shift to yellow.

The new vests were designed and developed by a team of employee representing different disciplines from across the state.

The most notable change to the vests is the yellow color to help drivers recognize highway workers among the orange traffic control devices. The vests also have a retro-reflective X on the back to signify to motorists the worker’s back is turned. Employee feedback during design also helped with some functional aspects like snap buttons, pockets big enough for a tablet, a rear storage pocket, and a strap for radio microphones.

“I’ve been with ITD for a long time, and this is by far the biggest change I’ve seen in regard to our safety. I’m so glad we’re making this commitment to our employees,” said ITD Chief Deputy Scott Stokes.