Archives: News

Drivers asked to slow down in work zone on SH-55 after too many “close calls”

ITD is asking drivers to slow down and watch for construction crews on State Highway 55 (SH-55) south of Horseshoe Bend due to recent dangerous driver behavior in the area.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is asking drivers to slow down and watch for construction crews on State Highway 55 south of Horseshoe Bend due to recent dangerous driver behavior in the area.

“There have been a couple of close calls in the work zone with drivers ignoring the flagging crews and the posted speed limit. Safety is our highest priority, so we really need people driving in the area to pay attention,” Project Manager JD Lewelling said.

Ongoing work includes milling and resurfacing the roadway for a smoother driving experience. Safety improvements include replacing guardrail, as needed, throughout the project area.

Construction activity is currently focused on the highway approximately four miles north of Avimor to just south of the Payette River Bridge in Horseshoe Bend. The project also includes constructing a bridge to convey both vehicle and pedestrian traffic under SH-55 at the north end of Avimor. This work is being funded by Avimor.

ADA improvements at SH-55 intersections with Hill Road, Floating Feather Road, and Beacon Light Road will be completed later this summer.

Construction is expected to be complete by this fall.

To stay updated on the project or sign up for construction updates, please visit the project website at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/SH-55-StateStreetToHorseshoeBend.

ITD making changes to ensure detour routes for the Teton Pass stay open

Cars traveling along Idaho State Highway 31, part of the detour route while Wyoming Highway 22 over Teton Pass is closed.

Idaho Transportation Department maintenance workers from St. Anthony, Driggs, and Ashton have switched schedules to provide around-the-clock coverage for detours established after the closure of Wyoming State Highway 22 over Teton Pass on June 8.

Drivers are being routed to Idaho State Highway 31 over Pine Creek Pass to Swan Valley, U.S. Highway 26 to Alpine, and US-89 toward Hoback Junction. Crews start the day at 3 a.m. ahead of most commuter traffic. Already these efforts have taken care of roadkill, found and moved an overturned car, and alerted farmers of escaped livestock on the road.

“We’re trying to keep the road and the public safe as best we can with increased traffic,” Operations Foreman Lucas Richins said. “We need people to be on their toes, watching for all the signs, driving patiently and planning extra time to travel due to the congestion.”

Digital message boards are in place at all intersections and areas needed in advance of the detour route. All drivers should be on the lookout for these digital signs that will be updated frequently.

In addition, ITD is staying in coordination with Idaho State Police to help minimize response times to accidents. Drivers should be aware that speed trailers and increased ISP patrols will be in effect.

Guardrail repair and fiber installation efforts along SH-31 have been completed or paused to eliminate any traffic delays.

“We’re doing everything we can to try and make this situation as good as it can be,” said Bryan Young, the acting District Engineer.

Stay up to date on status of the Teton Pass detour routes by visiting 511.idaho.gov, calling 5-1-1 or downloading the app. Travelers can also refer to the Wyoming Department of Transportation Media Kit for daily updates.

Overnight closures set to begin tonight for ramp paving on I-84 and I-184

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin the first of three ramp closures tonight along Interstate 84 and Interstate 184 to resurface damaged pavement. These closures are necessary for the safety of the paving crew.

To minimize traffic impacts, ITD will conduct nighttime paving on all the ramps. Each closure will begin at 8 p.m. and will reopen to traffic the following day by 5:30 a.m. Traffic control measures will be in place prior to any closures. The scheduled ramp closures, which are weather dependent, are as follows:

 

  • June 10: I-84 Garrity Boulevard eastbound on-ramp (Exit 38)
  • June 11: I-84 Garrity Boulevard westbound off-ramp (Exit 38)
  • June 12: I-184 Franklin-Milwaukee outbound ramp (Exit 1A)

 

“A typical pothole patch can last for months to a year. The work we do with this paver will last more than three years. This not only reduces the need for frequent repairs, but also lessens the impact on drivers,” New Meadows Mechanic Randy Smith said.

Drivers are encouraged to use the Idaho 511 system by phone, online, or through the app for updated closure information.

 

ITD will begin the first of three ramp closures tonight along Interstate 84 (I-84) and Interstate 184 (I-184) to resurface damaged pavement. These closures are necessary for the safety of our paving crew.
ITD will begin the first of three ramp closures tonight along Interstate 84 and Interstate 184 to resurface damaged pavement. These closures are necessary for the safety of our paving crew.

 

ITD assists WYDOT as travelers must detour with closure of Teton Pass

ITD crews and equipment assist WYDOT during initial stages of the landslide that caused the catastrophic failure and closure of the Teton Pass.

With the catastrophic failure of Wyoming State Highway 22 over Teton Pass, the Idaho Transportation Department is cautioning Idaho drivers and tourists they must detour in order to access Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Teton Pass closure will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. ITD crews and equipment were on scene helping the Wyoming Department of Transportation when the road failed and will continue to assist as needed.

“They called immediately, we started on our side and they started on theirs,” ITD Operations Foreman Lucas Richins said. “It was a good team effort. We’re here to support on our side however we can to make it less strenuous.”

Richins said that seven ITD dump trucks hauled 80-90 loads of material from the massive landslide on Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8. The loads were taken to a turnout a few miles away until it’s determined what will happen with reconstruction and cleanup efforts.

Travelers should use State Highway 31 to U.S. Highway 26 and then turn left in Alpine onto U.S. Highway 89 toward Hoback Junction. This route means drivers should plan an additional 30-75 minutes of travel time.

ITD has placed and will continually update digital message boards along east Idaho roads warning travelers of this closure well in advance so alternate routes can be taken. SH-31 will also be monitored daily to assess effects and needs with added road usage.

Stay up to date on this closure and other road information by dialing 5-1-1, visiting 511.idaho.gov, or accessing the 511 app.

New Commercial Driver Record Dashboard Available

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Tyler Idaho are offering commercial fleets a Driver Record Dashboard (DRD) to help companies manage their driver risks. The DRD service allows motor carriers to build a roster of Idaho drivers to monitor changes and receive an alert if any of their drivers’ statuses change.

Benefits:

  • Driver roster is checked twice a month (early and mid-month) for changes.
  • Email notification when a driver’s status changes.
    • Status changes include new conviction/suspension, a class change, expired or cancelled DLR.
  • Nightly monitoring for medical certification issues and expiration dates.
  • Flags records, driver’s licenses, and CDL expiration dates are for review and download.

Companies can build a roster one driver at a time or through bulk employee uploading. After building the roster you can purchase driver records individually or in bulk. If there is an issue with a driver’s status, the tracking history is saved each month, to create a compliance record. The record will be a full view of a driver’s history and available for review for 24 months.

Auto dealers, bus companies, school districts, state agencies, and food distribution fleets have used DRD for managing multiple driver records and compliance.

What does DRD Cost?

  • Monthly DRD service $10.00/month
  • Twice a month monitoring fee per record $0.16
  • Automatic record pull following a status change $10.00/Driver’s license record (DLR)
  • Manual driver’s license record pull $10.00/DLR
  • Tyler Idaho subscription $95/year

For more information on participating in this program call Tyler Idaho at 208-332-0102 or visit https://www.tyleridaho.com/demo/drd/ to view a demo and sign up.

I-84 major traffic shift between Centennial Way and Franklin Road interchanges

A major Interstate 84 traffic shift will begin on Saturday June 8 as ITD prepares to widen westbound I-84 between the Centennial Way and Franklin Road interchanges.

A major traffic shift will begin Saturday as the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) prepares to widen westbound Interstate 84 between the Centennial Way and Franklin Road interchanges.

All traffic will shift to the eastbound lanes between the Centennial Way and Franklin Road interchanges. The traffic shift will be completed over two weekends in June. Motorists should anticipate I-84 ramp closures, detours and lane restrictions. These new traffic patterns will remain in place until summer 2025.

Once the traffic shift is complete motorists can expect:

  • All lanes of I-84 will be on the eastbound side. Two lanes will be open in each direction, but lanes will be narrower.
  • Traffic will use temporary off-ramps at Centennial Way and 10th Avenue (Exits 27 and 28). Temporary ramps will be shorter and may have fewer lanes than current ramps.
  • Frontage Road and Hannibal Street will be reduced to one-way traffic with flaggers.
  • Intermittent closures on 10th Avenue will begin in July.
  • The pedestrian overpass over I-84 will be closed and detoured to 10th Avenue in late summer.

This project will increase capacity and improve traffic flow for years to come.

To sign up for project updates:

 

North Idaho receives funding to combat multi-substance impaired driving

Many officers and a police 59 stand for a group photo.

North Idaho’s DUI Task Force has received a $28,750 grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID), and Responsibility.org to stop multi-substance impaired drivers. This funding will train more drug recognition experts (DREs) and law-enforcement phlebotomists, giving officers better tools to detect and remove impaired drivers from our roads.

The North Idaho DUI Task Force is a coalition of 15 regional law enforcement agencies representing jurisdictions in all five northern counties of the panhandle. They work together and with partners like the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) to stop impaired drivers in the region.

In 2023 the task force worked 12 joint operations during suspected DUI peak events and hours like evenings and weekends. Those enforcement operations coincided with community outreach aimed at educating drivers about the dangers of impaired driving before they get behind the wheel. For example, during the targeted enforcement on New Year’s Eve 2023, the task force made 30 DUI arrests, responded to one DUI crash and there were no DUI-related fatalities, showing that their efforts are saving lives.

Sergeant Troy Tulleners from Idaho State Police (ISP) District One highlighted the importance of collaboration in enhancing public safety. “The Idaho State Police is proud to work with local law enforcement and the Office of Highway Safety. By pooling resources and expertise, we ensure a comprehensive approach to traffic safety.”

The new grant will improve the capacity of local law enforcement to address multi-substance impaired driving. More trained DREs and law-enforcement phlebotomists will lead to safer roads and fewer collisions, protecting lives in North Idaho.

“Our law enforcement partners in Idaho and across the country are doing everything they can to address impaired driving and make our roads safer, but they face an incredible challenge and need our support,” said GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins. “GHSA’s decade-long partnership with Responsibility.org and NASID helps provide law enforcement with the resources they need to identify impaired drivers, making our roads safer for everyone.”

Sergeant Tulleners emphasized the success of partnerships in reducing collisions and improving road safety. “Together, we have made significant strides in making our roads safer. This grant funding will bolster the Task Force members’ efforts during peak enforcement times in hopes of lowering the respective fatalities. Furthermore, it will be utilized to bolster the capabilities and training of officers, on or off the task force, in recognizing and stopping impaired drivers every shift.“

# # #

About GHSA

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management, and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Visit ghsa.org for more information or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Responsibility.org

Responsibility.org is a national not-for-profit that aims to eliminate drunk driving and work with others to end all impaired driving, eliminate underage drinking, and empower adults to make a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices. Responsibility.org is funded by the following distillers: Bacardi USA, Inc.; Beam Suntory Inc.; Brown-Forman; Campari Group; Constellation Brands; DIAGEO; Edrington, Hotaling & Co.; Mast-Jägermeister US, Inc.; Moët Hennessy USA; Ole Smoky, LLC; Pernod Ricard USA; and William Grant & Sons. For more than 30 years, Responsibility.org has transformed countless lives through programs that bring individuals, families, and communities together to inspire a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices. To learn more, please visit Responsibility.org.

About NASID

The National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving is a coalition established and led by Responsibility.org to eliminate all forms of impaired driving, especially multiple substance impaired driving, through effective and proven measures such as DUI system reform, DUI detection, and improved use of data and technology. To learn more visit NASID.org.

State Highway 14 to be repaved this June

Picture of State Highway 14.

Work on State Highway 14 west of Elk City will begin Monday to resurface the highway to make it smoother and last longer. As part of the improvements, the shoulder will also be paved to enhance safety for the traveling public.

During construction until the end of June, the highway will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic guided by pilot cars between mileposts 9.5 and 16. Motorists can expect flaggers and moderate delays.

Up-to-date highway information may be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

Test drilling on SH-55 near Rainbow Bridge in Valley County

The Rainbow Bridge on SH-55 north of Smiths Ferry.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will begin soil and rock sampling this June for a project to build a new bridge over the North Fork of the Payette River in Valley County. The project will address plans for the nearby Rainbow Bridge that has served Idaho travelers for nearly 100 years.

The sampling will require test drilling in 18 locations around the existing bridge. Preparations are expected to begin next week. Drivers can expect up to 15-minute delays on weekdays in June for the drilling and associated preparations. Work will stop for the weekend each Friday at noon.

Prior to the drilling, ITD will remove trees and vegetation near each drilling location to allow a helicopter to safely lower equipment. The ground will be re-seeded after drilling. Results will be used for designing the bridge foundation, supports and retaining walls along State Highway 55.

The current Rainbow Bridge was constructed in 1933 and no longer meets standards for state highway bridges. ITD began environmental and design work this spring for a new bridge adjacent to the current bridge. The project will include a decision about the future of the existing bridge.

“We intend to approach this project with a high level of transparency, sensitivity and community involvement,” ITD Resident Engineer Dan Gorley said. “Public input will be a key consideration in the final recommendation for the new bridge and the existing bridge.”

ITD will host community open houses and a stakeholder working group this July. Additional community involvement opportunities will be scheduled later this year. To request an invitation to future meetings, please email info@sh55rainbowbridge.com or visit https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/rainbowbridge.

The project is planned for construction in 2027 or 2028.

Two projects starting Monday will cause delays on SH-33 in Teton valley

State Highway 33 between mileposts 151 and 152 where a new passing lane will be constructed.

Two projects are set to begin Monday to create a center mumble strip and add a passing lane on State Highway 33. Motorists will experience lane closures and delays at various times through the summer.

A mumble strip along the center line of SH-33 will be added to increase safety and avoid collisions from the intersection of State Highway 32 to the Wyoming state line. The mumble strip will not be added within the city limits of Tetonia, Driggs and Victor. All striping will also be redone. This project will close one lane in the current work area and be complete within two weeks. Mumble strips are similar to rumble strips but are rounded so noise is heard by the driver and less by surrounding homes and businesses.

Work on the addition of a passing lane, center and right turn lanes and the realignment of Baseline Road along SH-33 between Victor and Teton Pass also begins Monday. Drivers should plan for delays between 15 and 30 minutes as temporary signals will alternate traffic through the work zone from mileposts 151 to 153. Crews will remove outdated concrete cattle underpasses and widen the road to ultimately give motorists a chance to pass slow-moving vehicles before entering Teton Pass. This work will be complete mid to late-September.

Motorists should remember to use caution and be patient through construction zones as the Idaho Transportation Department and contractors work to make the road better for the future. Stay up to date on status of these projects and others by visiting 511.idaho.gov, calling 5-1-1 or downloading the app.