There’s a new feature on two signals along Eagle Road in Boise that’s sure to grab your attention: LED signs that light up to display a “no right turn” message.
A static sign reads “Yield to U-Turns”
Two signs have been placed on the intersection of Ustick and Eagle. It can be seen by the cars traveling the east-west Ustick corridor. The signs light up when cars on Eagle have a green left arrow light. The purpose is to prevent collisions between traffic making legal U-turns on Eagle and cars turning right off of Ustick.
While no crashes have been reported in this area, a number of near misses have been observed.
“This should eliminate those,” said ITD traffic engineer Erika Bowen. “We’re looking at doing a pilot for it. If this is successful, ITD plans on installing them up and down the Eagle Rd. corridor.”
Currently, many intersections on the corridor feature a sign advising those turning right to “Yield to U-Turns.” The new signs actively turn on and off only when necessary. The hope is the change will grab a driver’s attention and induce safer behavior.
The pilot program is a partnership between ITD and the Ada County Highway District.
ITD will hold a public hearing on March 12 to gather public comment on plans to expand US-95 to four lanes through an improved US-95/Walnut Avenue/Lincoln Way intersection in Coeur d’Alene. Proposed improvements will enhance safety and mobility in the corridor.
The hearing will be held at Winton Elementary School at 920 W. Lacrosse Avenue. The hearing will follow open-house format, and the public is invited to arrive anytime between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to view displays and interact with project staff.
The section of the highway between Upriver Road and Linden Ave, which includes the US-95/Walnut Avenue/Lincoln Way intersection, is one of the only remaining two-lane sections between Worley and Athol.
The current layout of the intersection can be confusing for drivers, as it allows US-95 thru traffic to flow freely but subjects all other movements to a three-way stop condition. Due to high traffic volumes and the complicated layout, this intersection is a high risk for crashes and near misses.
To increase safety and mobility, proposed improvements include adding an additional lane in each direction of the highway and modifying access to cross streets in the area. The project is scheduled to be constructed in 2020 for $5.4 million.
For more information on this project, or to comment online, visit the D1 page, select the Projects tab and choose “US-95: IC #430 and Lacrosse Avenue.”
Comments may also be emailed to the project manager at Kyle.Schrader@itd.idaho.gov or addressed to Kyle Schrader at Idaho Transportation Dept., 600 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 83815.
Drivers traveling in the Lewiston area in the last month may have noticed some new signs near the Port of Entry along US-95. The signs are the most visible indication of significant money and time savings for commercial drivers.
The new signs are part of an updated system designed to improve the mobility of freight in the area, save time on the road, safeguard taxpayer money and support economic opportunity in the region. Signs are now used to signal commercial rigs to bypass the port if the truck’s weight, height, length, safety rating and credentials are in adherence with the law.
Highway sensors verify the criteria above prior to trucks reaching the port so that flashing signs can alert drivers if they may continue or need to stop.
Recent improvements cost $750,000 but are expected to save much more.
The updated weigh-in-motion system is expected to allow up to 70 percent of commercial traffic heading out of the city and another 50 percent heading into the city to bypass the port just south of town.
Trucks that can bypass a port save an average of five minutes of time per incident and almost a half a gallon of fuel. This amounts to a savings of about $8.68 per bypass, according to an analysis of these systems by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Approximately 800 commercial trucks access the Lewiston area every day, meaning improvements at this port alone will save the trucking industry more than $900,000 this year.
Last year, commercial trucks using similar systems to bypass four Idaho ports saved the trucking industry $3.475 million.
“This technology saves our commercial drivers significant time and money, especially for local drivers who pass through the port three to four times on a normal day,” said Ron Morgan, the supervisor of the Lewiston ports.
Vehicles that bypass also benefit the state and other drivers by reducing congestion around weigh stations and enabling inspectors to focus their efforts on other carriers.
“The recent updates to the system reflect the department’s commitment to building a transportation system that supports economic opportunity and mobility in the area,” Morgan said.
Idaho Transportation Department North-Central (District 2) Materials Engineer Chad Clawson, who has been with the department for 18 years, was informed Feb. 16 that he earned a 2018 Transportation Management Fellowship from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
He will leave tiny Genesee (pop. 958) and report to Washington, D.C. in April for the year-long commitment. There are about 680,000 people in the D.C. area proper, with a metro-area population of more than five million people.
“My initial reaction was disbelief, then excitement and internal panic; really, it was difficult to contain my excitement,” said Clawson. “This is going to be a great opportunity for personal and professional growth.”
In his nomination letter in November 2017, Chad was most intrigued by the exposure to transportation and infrastructure planning on a larger scale than is typically afforded him in Idaho.
He is excited to bring that big-picture thinking to his position within ITD, benefiting road users. “I look forward to synthesizing ideas — then bringing them back to our department, and showing Idaho pride to the rest of the nation.”
Clawson said the year with AASHTO will be spent working on a broad range of technical issues with design, traffic engineering, materials and operations. “There will be reauthorization of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, committee policy work, and a good deal of traveling. I will have direct involvement with topics at a different level that directly affect our safety, standards, and business practices here at ITD.”
Clawson works in planning and project delivery for ITD District 2, helping prioritize a construction budget of about $15 million annually.
BOISE – The Idaho Transportation Board voted unanimously during their regular meeting Wednesday (Feb. 21) to provide additional funding to begin construction on the Northgate Interchange in east Idaho.
“This project is a great funding model for public/private partnerships moving forward. It serves as an example of what can be done when state, local and private stakeholders work together to leverage each other’s funds,” Board Chairman Jerry Whitehead said. “This project will reduce congestion, improve mobility and create greater opportunity for economic development in Bannock County.”
The interchange is being funded through a public/private partnership between ITD, the cities of Chubbuck and Pocatello, Bannock County, Bannock Transportation Planning Organization, the Pocatello Development Authority, and Millennial Development.
The board authorized ITD to enter into an agreement that funds an additional $4.6 million in construction costs, bringing the total cost of the interchange to $12.5 million. Funding was made available by delaying a locally sponsored project of $2.6 million and another $2 million ITD project in the area.
Once complete, the project will provide new connections on both sides of Interstate 15 for residents in Pocatello and Chubbuck. ITD will build the interchange. Local agencies and private developers will build several miles of connecting roads and acquire right-of-way. The total cost for the project is $31 million. ITD’s share is around $8 million.
“Even with these additional costs, if you look at the total project, including the new access roads and the interchange, the state is only paying a quarter on the dollar,” said Whitehead.
The interchange was originally estimated to cost $8.4 million dollars. After a value engineering study, the design was changed to meet anticipated traffic demands in the area. The new design includes longer ramps, a wider bridge deck, and traffic signals.
Work is expected to begin on the local roads this spring and on the interchange this summer.
Work will begin Monday, Feb. 26 to replace the bridge over Interstate 90 near Kingston, 30 miles east of Coeur d’Alene. This is one of several projects throughout the north Idaho region aimed at extending the service lives of aging local bridges, benefitting the safety and mobility of drivers.
Construction to replace the old Kingston bridge—built in 1967—will be completed by December.
To replace the bridge, the existing structure will be demolished and rebuilt in two phases — the first phase will begin in mid-March, and the second-phase will begin in mid-June. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and detoured onto the on and off ramps during the scheduled nighttime demolitions. Closures for demolitions will be limited to a total of 10 nights.
ITD anticipates intermittent lane closures during the day throughout construction. Travelers are required to reduce speeds but should not expect delays.
Concrete Placing Company is the primary contractor on this $7.6 million project.
Other bridgework and replacement projects scheduled for construction this season include:
Replacing the Oldtown Bridge along ID-41.
Replacing the St. Maries Railroad Bridge and the St. Joe River Bridge along ID-3 in St. Maries.
Improving support structures for the Blue Creek Bay Bridge along I-90 near Wolf Lodge.
Improving support structures for the Coeur d’Alene River Bridge along ID-97 near Harrison.
Replacing the culvert over Round Prairie Creek along US-95 near Eastport.
Replacing the culvert over Cedar Creek along ID-3 near Clarkia.
Replacing the culvert over Texas Creek along ID-11 near Weippe.
Bridge projects in the district total approximately $45.3 million this year.
For construction updates on this project and other scheduled improvements, check 511.idaho.gov.
The unusual amount of sunshine this winter has allowed the Idaho Transportation Department to experiment with a few alternatives to typical highway work. The most recent options are solar-powered pavement markings along short stretches of US-30/Garret Way in Pocatello, intended to increase the visibility of raised curb islands for drivers.
The first set of markers were installed along US-30 from Gould Street (milepost 335.4) to Pole Line Road (milepost 334.8) on Feb. 8. The next section to be outfitted with the special markers will be Pole Line to Cedar Street (milepost 334.3). ITD purchased 600 units and earmarked 100 for each of the six regional offices. The southeast Idaho office was the first to have them installed.
“This location was decided upon as a safety improvement due to lack of streetlights in this area and to help denote where there is curbing. The markers are lit and reflective, making them a good channelizing device in the dark,” ITD southeast Idaho Operations Manager Steve Gertonson explained. The markers store up solar energy during daylight hours, then use that to power LED lights in the markers at night.
ITD southeast Idaho Maintenance Foreman David Petersdorf said he’s already received numerous calls from the public saying they like the new markers.
An open house will be held Feb. 22 to share information on plans to improve safety on US-95 by replacing two aging bridges and by adding turn lanes at two intersections near Potlatch.
The public meeting will be held at the Scenic 6 Depot at 126 Sixth Street in Potlatch from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in an open house format. Members of the public are invited to arrive at any time to learn about the design and the project schedule. Project staff will be available to discuss the planned improvements, which are scheduled to be constructed in 2020 for an estimated $6.6 million.
Planned improvements include:
– Replacing the Deep Creek and Washington-Idaho Railroad (WIR) bridges
– Adding turn lanes at the junctions of the highway with ID-6 and with Kennedy Ford Road
The new bridge over the Washington-Idaho Railroad will be elevated to meet current height guidelines, and the supports underneath the bridge will be spaced wider to accommodate a future addition of another track. Improvements to the junction of ID-6 and US-95 near the WIR Bridge will likely prevent several crashes, as there have been 19 crashes near the intersection between 2011 and 2015.
The addition of turn lanes at the junction of US-95 and Kennedy Ford Road near the Deep Creek Bridge will also likely prevent crashes, of which there were 18 near the intersection between 2011 and 2015.
For those who have questions or comments but are unable to attend the public meeting, please email the project manager Kerby Kirkham at kerby.kirkham@itd.idaho.gov or mail comments to: US-95 Potlatch Bridges Improvement Project, Attn: Kerby Kirkham, ITD District 2, 2600 Frontage Road, Lewiston ID, 83501. Comments are due by March 9, 2018, to be considered as part of the official project record.
For more information, visit itd.idaho.gov/D2, choose “Projects” and then select US-95: Potlatch Bridges Improvement Project.
ITD is hosting a public hearing Feb. 22 to present the preliminary design for the reconstruction of the I-84 South Jerome Interchange, slated for 2020. The hearing will feature three-dimensional animation to provide the public a birds-eye and driver’s perspective of the unique divided diamond design.
The public is invited to attend anytime between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Idaho State Police Region Four office, 218 Yakima Avenue in Jerome.
Project staff will be on-hand to answer questions and a hearing officer will be available to take oral or written testimony. Spanish translation services will also be provided.
The 52-year-old interchange has been identified by ITD for replacement and redesign. Public input received through key stakeholder meetings and public comments have confirmed public support for the selected divided diamond interchange design.
The new interchange will:
• Improve traffic operations and safety.
• Minimize impact to properties and the natural environment.
• Provide smooth traffic flow.
• Safely accommodate pedestrian and bicycle travel.
• Reduce travel time.
• Efficiently move goods and services.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact ITD Project Manager, Nathan Jerke at 208-886-7809 or nathan.jerke@itd.idaho.gov. Additional information is available at www.southjeromeinterchange.com.
To be considered in the official comment period, comments must be received by March 8.
The Idaho Transportation Department plans to completely open a section of Eagle Road (Idaho Highway 55) near the Village at Meridian in time for Thursday’s morning commute.
Emergency repairs to a broken water main forced the busy road to be closed late Monday night. Meridian Public Works, the Meridian Police Department, Ada County Highway District, and ITD partnered together to fix the pipe, patch the road, and safely divert traffic.
Final paving and striping is expected to wrap up around 10:00 p.m. tonight. When the work is done, the road will immediately open to traffic.
ITD was able to open limited access on the affected area Tuesday night into Wednesday to alleviate congestion during the a.m. commute. The section was closed again at 9 a.m. Wednesday to make final repairs during the day.
This section of Eagle Road sees 49,000 trips on average. Combined with the nearby traffic on Fairview Ave., this intersection is the busiest in Idaho with an average 76,000 daily trips.
UPDATE at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7
Crews have closed Eagle Road to make final repairs.
Crews lay pavement to patch Eagle Road
They are currently laying pavement to patch nearly 70 feet of road length on five lanes and two approaches into nearby businesses.
Work is expected to be completed tonight, in time for the road to open for Thursday morning’s commute.
The asphalt is spread in several layers to promote uniform curing. When paving is done, the patch will have lines painted on it. The road will open to the public when the asphalt and paint has cured and is cool to the touch.
UPDATE at 7 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7
The section of Eagle Road south of Fairview Avenue, closed Monday after a water pipe break, is reopened temporarily until 9 a.m. this morning. The temporary access will be closed this morning at 9 to allow crews to repave the roadway.
The Idaho Transportation Department has reopened the route to limited access. This involved laying gravel down and building ramps on the edges of the pavement that have been removed.
This requires a speed limit reduction to 25 mph. The public is still advised to avoid the area.
Depending on weather and the cure rate of the fresh asphalt, ITD estimates Eagle Road will be fully open by Wednesday evening.
UPDATE at 5 p.m., Tuesday Feb. 6
BOISE – A section of Eagle Road south of Fairview Avenue remains closed as crews make repairs following a burst water pipe.
Crews remove asphalt to check for erosion under road bed.
A half-mile section of Eagle Road between Pine and Fairview avenues was closed late Monday night after a broken water main flooded the roadway. The Idaho Transportation Department is working to open limited access on the stretch this evening. This effort involves laying gravel down and building ramps on the edges of the pavement that have been removed.
A limited access will require a speed limit reduction to 25 mph. Should access be opened, the public is still advised to avoid the area. Any access opened Tuesday will be closed by Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. to allow crews to repave the roadway. Depending on weather and the cure rate of the fresh asphalt, ITD estimates Eagle Road will be fully open Wednesday evening.
Work today has involved emergency repairs by Meridian Public Works to the water line and excavation by ITD of the road around the flooded area to fix erosion of the road bed.
ITD will post after-hours updates on 511 and its Twitter account, @IdahoITD
Original Story
A crack in the a water pipe closed Eagle Rd. Tuesday.
Eagle Road will remain closed during repairs. Currently, it is estimated the road will re-open Wednesday afternoon. Access to area business remains open. Detours are in place at Fairview Avenue, Pine Avenue, and Franklin Road.
Crews have dug a trench ten feet wide, 40 feet long, and eight feet deep to access the broken pipe. Once the pipe is repaired, ITD crews will repair the road. That includes backfilling the trench, removing broken asphalt around it, and repaving the section.
Meridian Public Works and Meridian Police Department are on scene assisting.
