Commercial special permits: bulk renewal and cost savings

A semi passes the east entrance to Aht'Wy Plaza on US-12 near Lewiston.

Idaho commercial vehicle customers can now renew annual special permits in bulk online at permits4idaho.com and save money in the process.

Customers can save $5 per permit when renewing online at permits4idaho.com. Bulk renewals also save time over renewing annual permits individually.

Permits4idaho.com also has a new Company Dashboard to easily manage your permits. Now customers can renew and pay for annual permits online in bulk, order special permits for overweight and/or over-dimensional loads, and remove annual permits that they no longer need. The site displays a notification when permits are 30 days from expiring.

Find the link to the Instructions for Annual Renewal Process Trucking.idaho.gov/permits/. The website is the central location for all commercial vehicle and motor carrier information. From permits and registrations to taxes and safety information Trucking.idaho.gov is the greatest resource for Idaho’s trucking industry.

Expect construction to US-95 bridge near Potlatch

The Washington Idaho Railroad on US-95 near Potlatch.

Tomorrow crews will work on the bridge on U.S. Highway 95 over the Washington Idaho Railroad near Potlatch. The deck will be ground down for a smoother traveling surface and be completed by the end of the day.

One lane in each direction will be open to traffic, but motorists will not be able to pass. Flaggers will be in place to help drivers turn off and on to State Highway 6. Drivers can expect delays that are under 15 minutes.

Live traffic impacts can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. You can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

Nighttime detours start for System Interchange

aerial view of I-86/I-15 system interchange

Beginning Saturday evening drivers should expect various nighttime detours through next week at the System Interchange in Pocatello as crew demolish old bridges on southbound Interstate 15.

Two detours are scheduled for two nights each.

Eastbound travelers on Interstate 86 trying to head north on Interstate 15 will be detoured to the Pocatello Creek Interchange the following nights:

Saturday, Dec. 16, from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 17, from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Northbound travelers on I-15 trying to head westbound on I-86 will be detoured to the Northgate Interchange the following nights:

Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

During these detours it is important that drivers follow posted speed limits. As work will continue through the winter drivers need to be particularly cautious around snowplows by giving them extra room in the work zone.

Ongoing construction at the System Interchange will improve safety and mobility while replacing bridges built in the 1960s. Work is expected to be complete in 2025. Those wishing to learn more about the project can visit the website: https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-86i-15-system-interchange.

Statewide effort to stop impaired drivers from ruining the holidays

Idaho street in Boise with Christmas lights.

As the holiday season approaches with joyous celebrations, the unfortunate reality across Idaho is that these festivities are often abruptly cut short by the devastating impact of impaired driving.

From Dec. 13 through New Year’s Day, over 50 Idaho law enforcement agencies will collaboratively engage in a national effort to remove impaired drivers from our roadways. Officers will actively patrol to safeguard the holidays, preventing impaired drivers from ruining the holidays for their own safety and that of others.

Colonel Kedrick Wills, Director of the Idaho State Police (ISP), emphasized the collective commitment to public safety, stating, “Embodying an unwavering dedication to public safety, law enforcement agencies across the region stand united in the collective responsibility of preventing impaired driving and saving lives. Our collaborative enforcement efforts serve as a potent deterrent, leaving no room for doubt that impaired driving is unacceptable. Make the right choice for the well-being of others – never drive impaired.”

To coincide with the launch of the statewide impaired driving enforcement campaign, a one-day regional summit on impaired driving took place at the Boise Centre on Wednesday, Dec. 13. The summit featured distinguished speakers from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and law enforcement experts from agencies throughout the state and the nation.

“Data reveals a concerning 14.2% increase in alcohol-related crash fatalities nationwide from 2020 to 2021, underscoring the critical importance of responsible driving behaviors,” explained Greg Fredericksen, NHTSA’s Region 10 Administrator. “NHTSA joins Idaho’s state agencies and local partners to launch a vital initiative featuring impactful public service messages like ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’ emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming surge in impaired driving incidents.”

According to data from the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS), last year in Idaho there were 1,818 impaired driving crashes, and 110 people were killed.

“Driving under the influence is not an accident or a mistake. It is a choice and a crime,” said Dennis Maughan, MADD Regional Executive Director. “It not only puts the driver’s life at risk, but also endangers the lives of innocent pedestrians, passengers, and other drivers who share the road with them.”

OHS and law enforcement urge everyone celebrating this holiday season to include a plan for a sober ride home and to never drive impaired. Making a plan before drinking makes it easier to stick to once intoxicated.

Declo Ports of Entry now open

A red port of entry building seen from across the highway.

Update: Both Declo Ports of Entry (POE) are now open.

Original story Dec 13, 2023:

10-months after the Declo westbound Port of Entry (POE) opened, the eastbound side is nearing completion. Staff moved in at the end of November to set up the building and test the electronic screening equipment before full operations begin. The hope is to have the newest port completely open by December 21, 2023.

The eastbound Declo port will have a state-of-the-art commercial registration office with a customer service window for appointments.

The Declo POE also has a Tire Anomaly Classification System (known as TAC) which screens tire conditions at highway speeds. Catching damaged tires before they blow out helps keep highway users safe.

The current Cotterel Port of Entry, eastbound location, will be decommissioned and only the rest area will remain.

For more information about commercial vehicle services in Idaho visit Trucking.idaho.gov. The site is the central location for all commercial vehicle and motor carrier information. From permits and registrations to taxes and safety information Trucking.idaho.gov is the greatest resource for Idaho’s trucking industry.

US-93 widening begins north of Twin Falls

Work will begin today to widen one mile of U.S. Highway 93 north of Twin Falls. Drivers should expect minor delays while crews start moving utilities and working on the shoulders. Major work and impacts won’t start until early January.

Construction will expand US-93 to four lanes between 200 South Road and 400 South Road. Other changes include reconstructing the railroad crossing, widening highway shoulders and building left and right turn lanes at 300 South Road and other business developments.

Once utilities are relocated, canal reconstruction will start and take through early March and be followed by roadway work in the spring. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained throughout construction with minor detours of intersecting roads later in the project. New lanes are expected to be open to traffic in October.

This will be the fourth and final segment of the overall corridor, between Twin Falls and Jerome, to be widened, with previous widening projects completed every year since 2018.

See the US-93, 300 South Road project website for more information.

Traffic safety grants available for Idaho communities

Have an idea that could improve traffic safety in your community? The Idaho Office of Highway Safety’s (OHS) FY2025 grant application opens today. Funding is available for programs that aim to change unsafe behaviors like distracted and impaired driving to help reduce death and serious injury on Idaho roads.

243* lives have already been lost this year, far exceeding the 215 traffic-related deaths in all of 2022. Idaho is on track to exceed our worst year in recent history, which was 273 lives lost in 2021. 2021 was the worst year for traffic fatalities since 2005.

“Locals know their communities best,” explained Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “We want this grant money to go to community organizations that will impact traffic safety in their neighborhoods most.”

Funding comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) federal grant program. Grants may be awarded for assisting OHS in targeting traffic safety focus areas, expanding ongoing activities, or developing a new program or intervention. Traffic safety focus areas include:

Impaired Driving
Aggressive Driving
Distracted Driving
Seatbelts
Child Passenger Safety
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
Motorcycle Safety
Young Drivers
EMS Post Crash Care

To apply for FY2025 funding, complete the Office of Highway Safety Grant Application.

The application and instructions are available on our website at itd.idaho.gov/safety under the ‘Grant Programs & Funding’ tab. This application is for year-long funding for FY2025 which begins Oct 1, 2024 and ends Sep 30, 2025.

The application must be received no later than 5 p.m. MST, Wednesday, January 31, 2024, via email: ohsgrants@itd.idaho.gov or by mail: ITD Office of Highway Safety, P.O. Box 7129, Boise ID 83707-1129. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

*Preliminary data, subject to change

Changing a commercial vehicle registration expiration date

There are about 4,000 commercial vehicle customers with full fee (Idaho registered only) commercial registrations that expire on December 31 and 500 that expire on January 31.

If your registration expires in December or January, you can change the expiration date to a different time. Idaho Motor Carrier Services offers this option to all full fee (Idaho registered only) commercial vehicles.

Customer benefits:

Pay renewal fees during the time of year that works best for your finances.
For seasonal operations, you can choose the latest month of the year you will operate and then wait to renew until you start operating. This reduces the registration fees by the number of months you are not operating.
Faster renewals. Moving your renewal to a less busy month evens out the workload for the DMV’s commercial vehicle staff and leads to quicker service.

How to change your expiration date:

Every customer with full fee registered vehicles receives an Expiration Date Change form in the mail with their renewal packet.
If there is a more convenient month for your commercial vehicle registration(s) to expire, please complete the form and return it with your renewal.
For registrations that expire December 31 you will receive the renewal packet in early November. If your registration expires January 31 you will receive the packet in early December.
If you have already renewed for the 2024 calendar year, we can’t change it now, however you will receive the option again next year.

Motor Carrier Services’ goal is to transition at least 50% of December and January renewals to a different month. This will greatly improve department efficiency and turn-around time for all customers.

If you have any questions, contact a registration specialist at 208-334-8611, Monday – Friday, 9 am to 4 pm Mountain Time, e-mail us at cvs@itd.idaho.gov, or go to Trucking.idaho.gov where you may find the answer you’re seeking.

Trucking.idaho.gov is the central location for all commercial vehicle and motor carrier information. From permits and registrations to taxes and safety information Trucking.idaho.gov is the greatest resource for Idaho’s trucking industry.

Community invited to review options to improve State Highway 16 between Sh-44 and SH-52

The Idaho Transportation Department is holding a public meeting on Monday, December 4 in Ada County and Wednesday, December 6 in Gem County. The community is invited to learn about the project, give input on issues and concerns, and provide feedback on a range of plans to improve SH-16.

Details for the in-person meetings are listed below:

Monday, December 4 at Eagle Christian Church (100 S Short Rd, Eagle, ID 83616)
Wednesday, December 6 at Emmett High School (721 W 12th St, Emmett, ID 83617)
4:30 – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
Please join at whichever location is most convenient for you.

An online meeting will be available for those that are not able to attend the in-person meetings. The online meeting will be open from December 7 – 21 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh1644to52.

At the meetings, ITD will share details about:

The purpose and need for the environmental reevaluation.
Updated traffic and crash data information.
Modification to the 2005 preferred alternative.
The project timeline and next steps in the process.

“We look forward to sharing the range of modified improvement plans with the community and receiving their feedback,” said ITD Project Manager Mark Wasdahl. “Their input is very important to the reevaluation process and will help us moving forward.”

The SH-16, SH-44 to SH-52 project began in June 2023 and is expected to be complete in 2025. ITD has already met with numerous state and local agencies and property owners to identify concerns, discuss ongoing planning efforts and share information about the project.

To sign up for email updates or learn more about the project, please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh1644to52.

Idaho high schoolers invited to experience simulated aircraft carrier

High school students interested in experiencing life in the world’s largest simulated aircraft carrier are invited to apply through the end of January to the National Flight Academy for the event to be held June 9-14, 2024. The simulation will take place in Pensacola, Florida.

Availability is limited to 9^th, 10^th and 11^th graders in the coming school year. Ten students will live for six days inside a 102,000 square foot, multi-story facility, surrounded by advanced technology, flight simulators, and virtual-reality games that ignite imagination and encourage learning.

The experience is designed to inspire interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This is a grant-funded program hosted by the Idaho Transportation Department in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration.

Students interested in applying should visit https://forms.gle/AxNdD8LwaSW5yHpB8

Applications are due by Jan. 30, 2024. For more information, contact Jessika Doglietto at (208) 908-2190 or by email at Jessika.Doglietto@itd.idaho.gov

Students will be in the care of the National Flight Academy staff for the week and will not be permitted to leave. Cost of lodging, meals, and transportation for students is covered through the grant.