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Cultural discoveries on a highway construction project in northern Idaho that changes the narrative for Native American heritage in the area, and the state’s first wildlife overpass, were the catalysts for a pair of awards Oct. 31 from the nation’s premiere transportation governing body.

The awards were presented to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) at the annual meeting Thursday of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“These two AASHTO national awards again prove that our employees are fantastic,” confirmed ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney. “The SH-21 Lucky Peak wildlife crossing is a great partnering example, and the U.S. 95 McArthur Lake Bridge showcased excellent Tribal teamwork. Partnerships solved wildlife safety with cultural preservation success.”

The cultural award was received by Jyl Wheaton of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho (KTOI) and ITD Project Manager on the construction, CarrieAnn Hewitt.

The project itself was fairly straightforward – an $11M project in Boundary County that rebuilt an existing two-lane section, adding wider shoulders, and replacing a box culvert over Deep Creek, which provides an outlet to McArthur Lake. The existing width-restricted box culvert was replaced with a 300-foot span bridge to provide safe animal passage under the highway. During excavation, tribal artifacts were found, requiring an orchestrated approach to planning for the preservation of these key cultural resources. A one-of-a-kind partnership was forged between ITD, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, and contractors to preserve the rich history of the area’s indigenous people. One of the discoveries was a game-changer in terms of traditional thought. Native American artifacts were found that pre-dated the earliest-known timelines – these artifacts showed that the earliest human existence in the upper Columbia River Basin came some 4,000 years earlier than previously thought!

ITD’s Scott Rudel managed the wildlife overpass project, built on State Highway 21 just east of Boise. The $7.5M project constructed a 150-foot long wildlife overpass and more than a mile of big-game fencing parallel to the highway to guide animals to the overpass, significantly reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions on this busy highway section. Improving motorist safety and protecting the well-being of residents and commuters, along with wildlife alike benefits the traveling public, hunting and recreational heritage, and helps sustain the benefits our valuable wildlife resources and public lands provide. ITD wildlife-vehicle crash safety data and Dept. of Fish and Game GPS data determined the location of the overpass by finding where most migrating mule deer and elk crossed the highway. This is the next step in the long-range vision to promote safety, mobility, and economic opportunity along SH-21 between Lucky Peak and Idaho City. The goal is to reduce wildlife collisions in the area by 80%.

The AASHTO President’s Transportation Awards are considered the highest honor for state departments of transportation. It is proof positive that ITD consistently produces great projects on behalf of the taxpayers of Idaho. The two awards mark 23 President’s Awards received since 2014.

The Idaho Transportation Department’s avalanche team is back in Lowman preparing for the upcoming winter season. The team recently conducted an aerial assessment to evaluate changes in the corridor caused by the Wapiti Fire.

“The aerial survey gave us a clearer understanding of the risks,” ITD Avalanche Team Leader Bill Nicholson said. “We feel reassured as it pertains to avalanches. However, the fire has increased the potential for mudslides and debris flows. Our team is ready, and we remain focused on keeping the highway safe for travelers just like we do every year.”

Another difference this winter brings is La Niña. The National Weather Service predicts colder temperatures and increased precipitation for the region. Excessive moisture in areas impacted by wildfires could result in a heightened risk of flooding and slides.

ITD’s avalanche team is stationed in Lowman, 20 miles from an avalanche-prone section of State Highway 21 that spans from Grandjean to Banner Summit. Every winter, the team monitors conditions and makes the decision on when to close roads due to avalanche danger.

There are more than 70 avalanche paths along SH-21. The ITD avalanche team also closely monitors U.S. Highway 12 near the Montana border.

There are only three highways in the United States that fall under the ‘High’ category in the Avalanche Hazard Index: SH-21 in Lowman, State Highway 210 in Utah, and U.S. Highway 550 in Colorado.

Idaho Transportation Department staff joined the Nez Perce Tribe on October 24 to celebrate the near completion of a new interchange at Aht’Wy Plaza on U.S. Highway 95/U.S. Highway 12 near Lewiston.

The interchange started construction in May of 2023 and is expected to open up to traffic later this month.

The tribe took the lead on organizing the event, which included Nez Perce drummers from Lighting Creek, a ceremonial demonstration of Nez Perce horsemanship across the overpass and a prayer from Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chaplain Mary Jane Miles. Transportation Board Member Gary Osborn, ITD District Engineer Doral Hoff and Design Construction Engineer Jesse Webb spoke at the event, along with several guests from the tribe and federal partners.

Many speakers referred to the extensive partnership on the project, which dated back to the 1990s when the tribe first began developing the parcel that now includes the Clearwater River Casino and Lodge, a gas station and RV park. Other improvements were built before the actual interchange, such as the installation of turn bays and lighting, but drivers continued to experience challenges safely accessing the highway from the plaza—seven people died in collisions at the entrances since 1997.

The project team, led by NPT Transportation Manager Mary Beth Clark, JUB Project Manager John Watson and former ITD planner Ken Helm, finished the design in 2019, opting for the diamond style to avoid environmental concerns that had slowed progress on the design for many years.

Construction was initially made possible in September 2020 by $19 million in BUILD grant funding but as ITD and the NPT worked to execute the agreement, again the project encountered challenges—this time in the form of rising costs for essential materials. By April 2022, the tribe and ITD had announced the joint project would be delayed while they applied for additional funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Department of Tribal Transportation Bridge Funding. That gap funding was approved in November 2022, and Knife River Corporation received the bid in spring of 2023 for $24.77 million.

“This project shows what collaboration and perseverance can accomplish,” Hoff said. “The single mindedness of all involved to see this through to its fruition goes to show that we had a solid team, and although there were many hurdles, there were none that couldn’t be overcome.”

The Idaho Transportation Department will close eastbound I-84 (heading toward Twin Falls) at the South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168) the weekend of October 25. I-84 will close for the entire weekend, from 7 p.m. on Friday, October 25, to 6 a.m. on Monday, October 28.  Lincoln Avenue and westbound Bob Barton Road will also close to maintain the flow of I-84 traffic.

During the closure, motorists can expect:

• Eastbound I-84 traffic will use the eastbound off- and on-ramps to exit and re-enter I-84.
• Lincoln Avenue traffic will be detoured to W 300 S, S 100 W and S 100 S.
• Westbound Bob Barton Road traffic will be detoured to W 300 S and S 100 W. Flaggers will assist eastbound Bob Barton Road traffic when merging with I-84 traffic during the daytime.
• See detour maps here.

The closure will maintain safety for motorists and crews while the team performs work on an irrigation crossing located under eastbound I-84.

Motorists can continue to expect intermittent local road closures, I-84 lane closures, traffic shifts and ramp changes throughout the duration of the project. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2026.

For details about the I-84 South Jerome Interchange project, please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sjeromeic or text 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.

Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.

The Idaho Transportation Department invites members of the community to review final design plans and anticipated information for construction to improve State Highway 75 between Elkhorn Road and River Street in Ketchum in 2025. Join us in person Tuesday, Oct. 29, or online Oct. 29 – Nov. 12.

Meeting details:

• In-person: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 4-7 p.m. (drop in anytime) at the Limelight Hotel (151 Main St. S, Ketchum).
• Online: 29 – Nov. 12 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/idaho75 (a link to the online meeting will be available on Oct. 29).

ITD has gathered valuable community feedback through three prior public meetings. This upcoming meeting will provide an opportunity to learn about anticipated impacts and how to stay informed throughout construction.

“We are grateful to all those who have participated and our local government and utility partners who have coordinated with us on this project,” said Project Manager Brock Dille “We encourage everyone to join us, either in person or online, to review the project’s design and stay informed as we work toward completing these important improvements on State Highway 75.”

Some early utility work in the project area is already underway in preparation for roadway work to begin in early 2025. Other early construction activities to take place this fall include tree removal work by Idaho Power in order to bury overhead power lines along the corridor.