The signal at US-95 and ID-53 is planned for removal starting Monday, August 26 to allow construction of a new interchange at that location to improve traffic flow between Garwood and Sagle.
View a video of the design for the US-95, ID-53 interchange.
The removal process will take approximately three nights, during which US-95 will be reduced to one lane in each direction from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Idaho Highway 53 will also be closed to the west of the intersection as crews replace the bridge over the railroad and realign the highway to tie into the new interchange.
Starting Monday night, traffic will be detoured around the ID-53 closure via Old US-95 to Garwood Road to access US-95. This closure is expected to last until fall 2020 when the new railroad bridge and interchange open to traffic.
Government Way will continue to be closed at the US-95 intersection.
This project is part of a larger vision to maximize mobility on US-95 between Garwood Road and Sagle. Since construction began in July, a temporary signal has been installed at ID-53 and Ramsey Road to accommodate the change in traffic patterns, and ID-53 has been widened.
In 2020 and 2021, frontage roads and an overpass at Garwood Road will be constructed as part of this project. Total improvements, though not all awarded to contractors, are funded primarily with an estimated $41 million from the GARVEE program and another $13.9 million in federal aid.
Email updates are available at itdprojects.org/us95id53.
ASHTON – Through Aug. 30, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will be making safety improvements to the intersection of Idaho Highway 47 and US-20 through the city of Ashton.
Crews will install a flashing stoplight on ID-47 at the intersection, install rumble strips to alert drivers approaching the intersection, and the department will be reducing the speed limit on US-20 through Ashton from 45 mph to 35 mph. Future safety plans for the area include installing flashing school zone warning signs on US-20 through the city.
ITD first programmed a traffic signal at the intersection of US-20 and ID-47 at the request of the city. It was pushed back from 2020 to 2023, though, due to unforeseen issues during project design. Primary among those issues, the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) considers the Frostop Root Beer Sign(picture from East Idaho News) at that location to be historic, so ITD has been working directly with SHPO to ensure that impacts are mitigated as much as possible.
The eventual project is estimated to cost $1.5 million.
Drivers can expect lane restrictions and possible delays near Twin Falls next week as crews from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) place platforms underneath the Perrine Bridge for upcoming special inspections.
On Sunday, August 18 it’s anticipated that crews will utilize ITD’s under bridge inspection truck along the bridge deck. Southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane while the truck is in use.
Work is scheduled to occur on Sunday to help lessen traffic congestion through the area. Motorists may consider using an alternate route between the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drivers are urged to exercise caution near the work zone and watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the patience and cooperation of those driving through the area.
The Idaho Transportation Department will begin repairs this week on Idaho Highway 75 in Blaine County. Work will occur on various stretches of roadway between milepost 118 and 132 on both north and southbound lanes.
Weather permitting, crews are anticipated to complete work by the end of August.
“We are working to fix areas of the highway which saw substantial damage over the lengthy winter months, including the corner of Elkhorn Road in Ketchum,” said ITD area foreman Brad Lynch. “This should improve the driving experience for motorists throughout the Wood River Valley.”
Some areas will require a detour while work is being performed. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and follow signs which will be in place to safely direct drivers through the area.
Repairs are expected to take place between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Work will not be performed over Labor Day weekend.
CHUBBUCK – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will partner with the city of Chubbuck to replace a damaged signal cabinet at the intersection of Chubbuck Road and Yellowstone Avenue (US-91) on Sunday, August 11.
The signal cabinet to be replaced was heavily damaged last winter due a car accident. The cabinet was in working condition, though, and has been used until this replacement.
Work is expected to take just one day, beginning at 5 a.m.
The traffic signal at the intersection will be turned off until the replacement is complete. Appropriate traffic control will be set up and flaggers will be present to direct traffic.
ITD advises drivers to pay attention to the traffic control and please use an alternate route until the project is complete.
ASHTON – Starting Tuesday, August 6, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) maintenance crews will lay intermittent asphalt overlays on Idaho Highway 47 between Marysville and Warm River to extend the life of the roadway. The project is expected to finish by Thursday, August 15.
Flaggers will be present and detour traffic as needed until construction is completed. Traffic delays could be up to an hour wait, so motorists are encouraged to consider taking an alternate route.
Travelers are advised to please watch for and follow traffic detour signs, drive safely and check 511.idaho.gov for current construction and traveler information.
POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will divert Interstate 15 northbound traffic onto US-91 on Tuesday night, August 6, while girders are placed at the new Northgate Interchange from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Drivers will exit on Interstate 86 at Exit 61 (Chubbuck interchange) and re-enter I-15 at Exit 89 (South Blackfoot Interchange). Pictured are pillars used to hold the girders.
Traffic control will continue for those same hours Wednesday night, August 7, as ITD diverts southbound traffic on US-91. Drivers will exit I-15 at Exit 89 and re-enter at Exit 61 on I-86. ITD will also have traffic control set up at the Fort Hall Interchange to divert traffic as needed.
Girders are the massive concrete structures that will support the new bridge. The contractor will be placing 12 girders each night, 24 total, that are 85 ft. long and weight 120,000 lbs. each.
This work is part of a year-long project to construct the new Northgate interchange on I-15. The project is expected to be completed in late fall 2019.
NEWDALE – On Wednesday, July 31, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) maintenance crews will lay about two-miles of asphalt pavement on Idaho Highway 33 between Teton and Newdale.
During this one-day project, crews will detour traffic between 3rd Street and 8000 W. until construction is completed.
Travelers are advised to please watch for and follow traffic detour signs, drive safe and check 511.idaho.govfor current construction and traveler information.
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.
