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Idaho Transportation Department seeks feedback on draft seven-year transportation plan 

Cars take the highway up a hill in East Idaho

The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking feedback on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The ITIP outlines the state’s transportation priorities and guides investment decisions for the next seven years through 2032. ITD encourages everyone to review the draft and provide comments July 1-31.  

Transportation projects included in the draft ITIP range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of new guardrail. Projects are located throughout Idaho’s 44 counties and involve all modes of transportation. Project selection is determined through technical data, as well as input from local officials and residents.   

Visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an interactive map to learn about projects and submit a comment through the portal.  

This draft ITIP shows plans for $5.8 billion in funding, including $200 million dedicated to pavements and $100 million dedicated to bridges each year.   

ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney outlined, “The Idaho practice of annually updating a seven-year highway transportation plan helps consider the growth of traffic we are all seeing which is accelerating the need for safety, preservation and capacity improvements supporting communities statewide.  This draft ITIP presents investment needs in highway pavement, bridge repairs, and congestion relief improvements that will provide the Idaho Transportation Board effective options to consider looking ahead for Idaho.”  

In mid-June, the Idaho Transportation Board accepted staff recommendations to address congestion on priority corridors using Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds. These funds came from House Bill 25, which was passed by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year. The legislation provides an additional $20 million a year to the TECM fund for the next three years and allows the department to invest an extra $1 billion in the Idaho transportation system. 

Comments can be emailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov, recorded at 208-334-8063 or mailed to:   

ITIP – Comments  
Attn: Noah Ipaye
P.O. Box 7129  
Boise, ID  83707  

Paper copies of the ITIP will be available at regional offices and provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department at 208-334-8284.   

All comments will be reviewed and incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate. Responses will be sent by September.  

After approval by the Idaho Transportation Board in September, the ITIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in October.   

Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP includes the prioritized needs of Idaho’s communities.  

Impaired driving fatalities down, but still a leading cause of death on Idaho roads

Two young adults driving in the car, the sun is casting a beautiful glow onto their faces.

BOISE — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is reporting an 18% decrease in fatalities from impaired driving crashes—down from 105 in 2023 to 86 in 2024. While this progress is encouraging, impaired driving still accounted for more than a third (36%) of all traffic crash fatalities in Idaho last year.

Of the 86 people killed in impaired driving crashes in 2024, 80 (an overwhelming 93%) were either the impaired driver, a passenger riding with an impaired driver, or an impaired pedestrian.

“Drivers aged 30 and under are involved in impaired driving crashes at a disproportionately high rate,” said Josephine Middleton, Highway Safety Manager with ITD’s Office of Highway Safety. “It’s encouraging to see fewer fatalities, but the numbers show the problem is far from solved. We need people to understand that impaired driving doesn’t just put their own life at risk. It endangers everyone on the road.”

To help prevent further tragedies, ITD and its law enforcement partners will participate in a statewide impaired driving mobilization from July 1 to July 13, 2025. During this time, drivers can expect to see an increased presence of high-visibility patrols dedicated to stopping impaired drivers and saving lives.

ITD continues to focus on education and prevention through law enforcement partnerships, community outreach, and youth engagement initiatives. The department emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, using designated drivers, and making responsible choices every time you get behind the wheel.

Impaired driving is preventable. If you feel different, you drive different.

For more information on impaired driving prevention efforts in Idaho, visit shift-idaho.org.

Chip sealing to begin Wednesday at I-86 and I-15 System Interchange

Aerial photo of the system interchange at Pocatello.

Beginning tomorrow the Idaho Transportation Department will chip seal the System Interchange in Pocatello. Once this work is complete, the roadway will be restriped to indicate the final lane configurations.

Chip sealing covers temporary lane markings used throughout various phases of construction and maximizes the taxpayers’ investment by extending the lifespan of the pavement. A sticky slurry is sprayed on the pavement then rock chips are applied on top for a long-lasting seal. This treatment protects pavement from sun, oxidation, weather, water, oil and gas, and increases traction for safety.

Tabs will be placed on the new chip seal to indicate lanes for the short time before striping work can occur.

The previous connection between I-86 and I-15 was originally built in the 1960s. Now nearing completion, the System Interchange is a $112 million redesign to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure that began construction in 2022.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and slow down to posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night at the System Interchange, it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.

Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of related detours. Project details are available on ITD’s website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/i-86i-15-system-interchange.

Sealcoats for US-12 east of Kooskia begin tomorrow

Picture of US-12 taken from a drone.

Construction will start tomorrow to apply sealcoats to two sections of U.S. Highway 12 east of Kooskia. Sealcoats are necessary applications that will prolong the life of pavement. They improve the driving surface by waterproofing the roadway and increasing skid resistance for safety.

Work will start near the Lochsa Ranger Station at milepost 121 and move toward White Pine River Access. Then crews will shift to Powell at milepost 151 and work toward Lolo Pass at milepost 167. US-12 will be down to one lane with flaggers alternating traffic. Each section is anticipated to take between one to two weeks to complete before crews move on to the next.

Drivers are encouraged to follow all posted work zone speeds and be ready to stop for flaggers. Delays may range from 15 to 30 minutes, and a pilot car will escort motorists safely through the work zone. Crews appreciate the patience of the public during this important preservation work.

Construction will conclude by the end of July. Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

Repairs on five US-95 bridges north of New Meadows start Wednesday

The Idaho Transportation Department is repairing five bridges along U.S. Highway 95 from New Meadows to Pollock in Adams and Idaho Counties starting Wednesday. Construction on each bridge will last approximately one week, and crews may work on more than one bridge at a time.

The bridges included in this project are the Goose Creek West Bridge, Goose Creek East Bridge, Little Salmon River Bridge, Boulder Creek Bridge and Fall Creek Bridge. View the map to see the exact locations of these bridges. Work will start this week at the Goose Creek West Bridge.

Impacts to traffic will vary by bridge, but overall motorists can expect daytime work with reduced speed limits. US-95 will be reduced to one lane in work zones with flaggers or temporary signals to control traffic.

 

This work is part of a larger effort to repair bridges throughout southwestern Idaho to extend their service life and reduce maintenance costs. ITD is also preforming repairs on bridges in Canyon County

and has completed work on bridges in Elmore and Ada counties.

Map depicting location of all affected bridges.

 

Repairs will include:

 

– Patching and sealing concrete

– Working on expansion joints

– Removing asphalt overlays

– Improving deck drains

– Milling and paving bridge approaches

– Painting steel structures

 

The Idaho Transportation Department is committed to minimizing disruption during construction while prioritizing the safety of both crews and motorists.  Drivers are urged to use extra caution when traveling through active work zones.

To plan your route in advance, visit 511.idaho.gov.

To learn more about the project and see a breakdown of impacts and repairs by bridge, visit the project website at ITDProjects.Idaho.Gov/pages/Bridges2025, call 208-377-9688 or email John@RBCI.net.

ITD hosts Snake River Crossing public meeting 

Aerial shot of the Snake River Canyon

The Idaho Transportation Department invites Magic Valley community members to attend a public meeting on Monday, June 30, to provide input on the Snake River Crossing Project and help review and refine the first phases of analysis and design before the project moves forward.  

During this public meeting, ITD will share study findings, initial concepts and evaluation criteria, project goals, and a range of alternative locations for an additional Snake River crossing.  

“Our shared goal with local and regional partners is to address growing traffic and regional connectivity challenges in the Magic Valley,” District Engineer Jesse Barrus said. “A potential additional Snake River crossing is a key part of reaching that goal, and we look forward to hearing the community’s feedback.”  

In 2024, the Idaho Transportation Board approved funding to begin next steps to enhance Magic Valley regional mobility including launching the environmental review process for a new Snake River Crossing to consider options for an additional bridge crossing, potentially extending State Highway 25 or State Highway 79 or widening U.S. Highway 30 or State Highway 46.  

The project will utilize information gathered from previous studies and include coordination with the new Magic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization to identify and evaluate feasible, buildable, and fundable bridge alternatives.   

“This public meeting marks a key milestone in the Snake River Crossing project and offers the community a chance to provide input on potential 1,500-foot-long bridge locations,” said Dan McElhinney, the ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer. “Taking a major bridge project of this scale from concept to construction will continue to require strong regional collaboration, innovative funding solutions, and long-term commitment.”  

Opportunities to participate are available both in person and online. Both experiences will include the same information and chances for feedback:   

In Person: June 30, 2025, drop in anytime between 4 and 7 p.m., Herrett Center for Arts and Science, 315 Falls Ave, Twin Falls  

Online: June 30 through July 30, 2025, snakerivercrossing.com  

An additional public meeting is anticipated in early fall. For more information, please visit the project website: itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/snakerivercrossing.   

Final repairs to US-12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge start Saturday

Picture of the deck on the Clearwater Memorial Bridge on a sunny morning.

Beginning Saturday, traffic on the U.S. Highway 12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction in preparation for a new surface that will provide a smoother ride for drivers.

Crews will start on the northbound lanes and then shift to the other lanes of the bridge. Each side will remain closed for a few days while crews complete their work. After the new surface is complete, lanes will be striped.

The public should expect minimal traffic delays through the work zone and into next week. Sidewalks will remain open. Crews will work sunrise to sunset.

The work will wrap up before the Fourth of July. Touch up work such as fastening, patching, and painting have been ongoing since the spring. Last winter in 2024, crews finished pouring concrete on the new deck allowing the bridge to be fully opened to traffic.

The newly renovated bridge provides larger travel lanes, shoulders, median and sidewalks. In addition, the construction brought the bridge up to current standards, eliminating weight restrictions for heavy loads that use the bridge daily.

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

Repairs to two bridges in Canyon County start Sunday night

Bridge over freeway with a couple of cars going across.

CANYON COUNTY – The Idaho Transportation Department will begin maintenance work on two bridges in Canyon County starting Sunday night. Crews will work on both bridges simultaneously with construction lasting approximately one week.

The structures being repaired include the bridge for the eastbound on-ramp that crosses Indian Creek at the Karcher Interchange in Nampa and the Centennial Way Railroad bridge in Caldwell. Work will take place between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. with speed limits reduced to 35 mph.

At the Karcher Interchange, the on-ramp will be closed. Motorists will still be able to access I-84 by following the signed detour.

At the Centennial Way Railroad Bridge, one lane will be open in each direction.

This work is part of a larger effort to repair bridges throughout southwestern Idaho to extend their service life and reduce maintenance costs. ITD has completed work on bridges in Elmore and Ada counties and will be working on bridges along US-95 in Adams/Idaho counties later this summer.

Repairs will include:

  • Patching and sealing concrete
  • Working on expansion joints
  • Removing asphalt overlays
  • Improving deck drains
  • Milling and paving bridge approaches
  • Painting steel structures

ITD is committed to minimizing disruption during construction while prioritizing the safety of both crews and motorists. Drivers are urged to use extra caution when traveling through active work zones.

To learn more about the project or sign up for construction updates visit the project website at ITDProjects.Idaho.Gov/pages/Bridges2025

SH-45 lane reductions will begin Monday between Deer Flat Road and Walter’s Ferry

Open highway in rural area.

NAMPA – Motorists can expect lane restrictions on State Highway 45 between Deer Flat Road and Junction 78 near Walter’s Ferry while the Idaho Transportation Department applies a protective sealcoat to the roadway. The project will extend the life of the asphalt.

Starting Monday, crews will remove pavement markings, and flaggers will be in place to direct traffic.

Crews will begin work at Deer Flat Road in south Nampa and work their way 12 miles south toward Junction 78. Work is expected to be completed by late July.

Motorists can expect that:

  • SH-45 will be reduced to one lane in the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will direct traffic.
  • Work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday. All lanes will be open outside of working hours.
  • Speed limits will be reduced, and 12-foot lane restrictions may be in place.

Questions may be directed to (208) 402-8408 or info@itdsealcoats.org.

Current restrictions are also posted to 511.idaho.gov.

All abuzz and aflutter about Pollinator Week

Traditionally, the third week in June is recognized as Idaho Pollinator Week. The essential partnership between birds, bugs and birds and agriculture and government agencies is celebrated year-round by ITD, though. The week draws awareness to pollinators and spreads the word about how we can protect them.

The agency continually promotes awareness of pollinators and pollinator habitats, Statewide Vegetation Program Manager Cathy Ford said.

“Pollinator species such as birds and insects are increasingly recognized as essential partners to farmers and ranchers in producing much of our food supply. Because Idaho is so agriculturally dependent, that partnership is especially important in the Gem State,” Ford said.

Idaho is home to an abundance of insect pollinators central to the health of our environment. Beetles, flies, wasps, moths, butterflies — but especially bees — all contribute.

Ford also said ITD recently entered into the Monarch CCAA (Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances) program. The Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group at the University of Illinois-Chicago led a national, multi-sector collaborative effort to develop a voluntary conservation agreement to provide habitat for the monarch butterfly. More than 40 organizations from across the energy and transportation sectors worked together to develop the CCAA that encourages landowners and land managers to adopt measures to create net conservation benefits for the monarch butterfly. The effort is unprecedented in terms of its cross-sector participation and geographic extent. The agreement spans the entire contiguous 48 states and is encompass millions of acres of habitat.

To date, there are 40 energy sectors and 40 transportation agencies who applied for the Monarch CCAA and 66 Certificates of Inclusion issued! Ford said that ITD is among that group! More than 1.2M acres have been adopted. The adopted acres are lands dedicated to promoting habitat by reduced mowing and herbicide treatments, protection of native habitat and monarch host plants, and seeding acres that include a wide range of native plant species. Another way to look at it is the adopted acres are actual acres set aside for monarch habitat (reduced mowing and herbicide treatments, etc.).

Pollinator Partnership celebrates National Pollinator Week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior. ITD also takes part in partnership projects with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish & Game, and other state and federal agencies.