Safety is a top priority, especially when it comes to the upkeep of Idaho’s 32 backcountry airstrips. Clear markers are key for helping pilots land safely so they can enjoy the Gem State’s great outdoors. ITD’s Division of Aeronautics is responsible for airstrip maintenance and making sure those markers are easy to see from the sky, and that involves a fresh coat of white paint every five years.
Aero Craftsmen Justin Fort and now-retired Joe Fleck worked with D3 Foreman Jerry Richards to source paint from within ITD. They found out that Central Labs disposes of about 60-70 gallons of paint each year after testing. While it costs Aero $20 to buy a gallon of paint, it costs Central Labs about $200 to dispose of a 5-gallon bucket after testing. It made financial sense for the lab to hand off excess paint to Aero instead of paying to dispose of it. Aero got in touch with Central Labs Senior Chemist Rachel Owens and decided to pick up and start using the paint at the airports.
“We have painted four airstrips this fall, all with sample or test paint that was given to us by Rachel Owens from Central Labs,” explained Fort. “We have been collecting and saving the test paint for over a year, until this August, when we got our new sprayer. It took only two hours to spray the markers and segment circles at each airstrip.”
By thinking outside the box, the two divisions are saving $4,520 a year by using paint that normally ends up as expensive trash.
The Idaho Transportation Department has begun the planning process to improve the South Blackfoot Interchange at Exit 89. The South Blackfoot Interchange has served motorists since 1961. Since then, eastern Idaho’s population and traffic volumes have greatly increased.
At this interchange, Interstate 15 crosses over U.S. Highway 91 on the Fort Hall Reservation. The interchange is in an area of I-15 that is heavily used for commercial, residential and recreational travel. To improve safety and mobility for motorists, it is necessary for ITD to replace the interchange with a design that has increased capacity and meets current standards.
Project plans currently include:
- Lengthening ramps to improve safety.
- Adding a dedicated exit lane to off-ramps to improve ramp operations.
- Adjusting the interchange to accommodate future additional lanes on I-15.
Improvements to this interchange will be developed and designed based on traffic and other technical data, an environmental evaluation, surveying, and input from the public. The planning, design and environmental evaluation stage of the project is expected to be completed in 2026. Construction of the improvements is anticipated to begin in 2030, depending on the availability of further funding. This project is utilizing both state and federal funding.
ITD will provide multiple opportunities for the public to learn more about the I-15 South Blackfoot Interchange project throughout project development, including a public open house and pop-up meetings in early 2025. For more information visit the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-15-corridor or call 208-252-5553.
Starting Wednesday morning the Clearwater Memorial Bridge on U.S. Highway 12 will be fully open. The newly constructed west side of the bridge is now complete and ready to accept both traffic and pedestrians.
Travelers can now use wider travel lanes, shoulders, median and sidewalks. In addition, with the new bridge up to current standards, there are no longer reduced weight restrictions for heavy loads.
A deck seal and additional light construction is slated for early summer 2025 to finalize repairs to this 1951 structure.
Construction began in 2023 for an estimated cost of $38.3 million and was federally funded. For more information about the project please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us12memorialbridge.
For the first time ever, the Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho State Police are teaming up to offer free, informative, and engaging winter driving safety classes in the Treasure Valley to help drivers prepare for icy roads and snowy conditions. This new initiative is designed to help drivers of all ages and experience levels navigate Idaho’s winter roads safely.
With many new residents in the Treasure Valley, there’s an increasing need for education on how to handle winter driving conditions. While the course is open to all drivers, it is particularly geared toward young drivers and those new to the area who may be facing their first winter driving season.
The class will be taught by ISP troopers and ITD operators, covering a wide range of important topics, including:
- Proper vehicle preparation
- Equipment for winter driving
- Understanding road conditions
- Driving tips for snow and ice
- How to handle crashes
- Snowplow safety
Seating is limited, and classes are filling up quickly. Attendees must register online to reserve a seat. Click here for Wednesday night class or click here for the Saturday morning class. Additional courses may be scheduled at a later date.
Class Schedule:
Wednesday, Dec. 4
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
ITD District 3 Building, 8150 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise, ID
Saturday, Dec. 7
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
ITD District 3 Building, 8150 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise, ID
*New class added!*
Register for Wednesday, Dec. 11
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
ITD District 3 Building, 8150 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise, ID
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is reminding all recreational vehicle (RV) owners that their RV registration renewals are due by the end of the year. To avoid any last-minute rush, ITD encourages RV owners to take advantage of online renewal options and “skip the trip” to the DMV. By renewing online, you can bypass waiting in line and handle the process from the comfort of your home. This convenient service is available 24/7 at www.dmv.idaho.gov
“Renewing your RV registration online is quick, easy, and efficient,” said Idaho Transportation Department DMV Administrator, Lisa McClellan. “We know that many RV owners are preparing for travel or simply want to avoid the busy DMV offices, so we strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of the online tools available.”
Key Benefits of Renewing Online:
Convenience: Renew from anywhere, anytime—no need to visit a DMV office.
Time-Saving: Skip the lines and complete your renewal in minutes.
Instant Processing: Your renewal will be processed immediately, and you’ll receive your registration materials by mail.
To begin your online RV renewal or to find additional information on the renewal process, visit the ITD DMV website at www.dmv.idaho.gov
ITD is committed to providing Idaho residents with accessible, efficient, and secure services to ensure a smooth and hassle-free renewal experience. For those who may need additional assistance, ITD offers helpful customer service through the website and by phone.
Starting Saturday, motorists will officially be able to use the new interchange on U.S. Highway 95 to safely access Aht’Wy Plaza.
“This interchange is an outstanding solution for enhancing safety, and I am so excited to see it in action soon,” ITD Project Manager Zach Feist said. “I believe many Idahoans will not only feel safer but will experience improved mobility when traveling through the area.”
Work at the west entrance near the Nez Perce Express will continue. Starting this Saturday, that entrance will be fully closed with traffic on US-95 slowed to 45 mph and reduced to one lane in each direction. This closure will allow workers to modify the intersection to allow northbound travelers to turn right off the highway into the plaza. After that work is complete in mid-December, drivers will not be able to access US-95 from the western entrance at all and will need to use the new interchange to get back on the highway.
Construction started in May 2023.
To help motorists better understand how this interchange works, a map is available here for download.
Winter weather can be unpredictable, especially on the roads. As a driver, your first and last line of defense is your seat belt. Starting today, more police officers will be on the roads for a statewide seat belt enforcement campaign.
From Friday, November 22 through the end of the month, over 50 state and local law enforcement agencies are partnering with the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) for extra patrols focused on seat belt safety.
During the winter there is a lot that is outside of our control, from the weather to the behavior of other drivers. “What happens in your car is totally under your control, so slow down, drive engaged and buckle up. Let your seat belt do its job of saving your life in the event of a crash,” explained OHS Occupant Protection Program Specialist Tabitha Smith.
If you are in a crash, a buckled seat belt reduces your risk of death by 45% and risk of serious injury by 50%. Last year, 85 people in vehicles who were not buckled up died in traffic crashes.
Data from OHS’s annual seatbelt survey shows that 86% of Idahoans wear their seatbelts. Expect to see more police on the roads in the next few weeks focusing on stopping and educating drivers about seat belt safety, and hopefully saving lives.
DUBOIS—Southbound travelers on Interstate 15 are being detoured around the Stoddard Creek Bridge at Exit 184, which has been closed due to a damaged and deteriorating road surface. Interstate traffic is being slowed to 45 mph and directed onto the ramps so drivers can proceed over and through without stopping.
The Idaho Transportation Department has closed W. Camas Creek Road under the bridge to allow for this detour. Operations engineers and facilities managers are monitoring the path to ensure smooth passage for vehicles and semis.
Major improvements to the Stoddard Creek Bridge were already planned for early next spring. With the bridge condition worsening substantially, these have been advanced to start in January. Repairs are expected to take several months, with this closure in place until spring.
The Idaho Transportation Department Dubois maintenance crew and other operations personnel are monitoring the closure daily. Traffic control devices are also weighted and placed to avoid being covered by snow removal efforts. ITD will make necessary changes and efforts to keep traffic in this area moving safely through the winter.
Road updates and status can be found at 511.idaho.gov or on the Idaho 511 app.
After being struck by an oversized load on Monday, the bridge on Brunner Road over U.S. Highway 95 will experience a long-term westbound lane closure through winter until repairs can be made in the spring.
An excavator being hauled on a large semi-trailer was not properly secured, and the bucket shifted during transport, causing it to exceed the posted height clearance and strike the bridge overhead as the truck passed beneath.
Idaho Transportation Department staff were immediately dispatched to the scene of the crash to inspect the bridge and determine an appropriate course of action. Based on their findings and expert recommendations, the outside westbound lane of the bridge will be closed for the remainder of winter to prevent load restrictions from being put in place on the entire structure. That will still leave one lane in each direction open for travel.
Crews will also be inspecting the damaged areas weekly to ensure the bridge remains safe for travelers both on Brunner Road and US-95 beneath.
The driver who caused the crash was located and cited by law enforcement. ITD will be working with the private insurance company to recover costs for damage repairs.
It is important to understand that incidents like this are extremely costly and can easily be prevented by taking care—especially when hauling large equipment or oversized loads—to ensure they are properly secured, and remain properly secured, during travel.
EAST IDAHO— With snowy conditions foreseeably here to stay, the Idaho Transportation Department is committed to keeping motorists safe. In eastern Idaho, maintenance crews are now working around the clock shifts from the Utah to Montana state lines as needed.
These 17 crews across eastern Idaho keep more than 4,300 lane miles of state highways and interstates as clear as possible all winter long. Plowing that amount of roadway means patience and caution from the public are important.
“We have high confidence in our plow teams,” ITD Operations Engineer Jeremie Pettingill said. “Winter driving does take some planning though. Slow down and be aware. Know that we’re prepared and doing the very best we can.”
ITD aims to keep roads bare 70% of the time during storms. The wind conditions in east Idaho often make that unrealistic and are the primary cause of road closures through the winter.
Closures are put in place only when conditions are unsafe. Roads are also only closed as long as necessary. Closures allow operators to be more efficient getting snow cleaned up, braving the elements as they do.
ITD reminds motorists across east Idaho to use common safe winter driving practices:
- Brush and scrape your windows before driving. Starting the defrost in your vehicle well before you leave is very helpful.
- Slow way down! Speed limits are based on ideal conditions and aren’t appropriate during winter weather.
- Maintain substantial distance between yourself and other drivers—don’t follow closely.
- Stay calm and don’t make sudden wheel movements in icy conditions.
- Don’t use cruise control in the winter.
- Obey posted road closure signs and lights—finding a back way to access closed roads is dangerous and delays plow work to get them re-opened! Remember roads are only closed for good reason. Unexpected traffic and crashes significantly delay getting the road re-opened.
- Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle with supplies like water, lights, warm clothes and blankets, etc.
- When you see plows, give them room to work. That means leaving plenty of following distance, not crowding them and letting them lead the way. Last winter, 17 plow strike occurred across Idaho, most often due to drivers attempting to pass.
- Know before you go by checking conditions at 511.idaho.gov or on the Idaho 511 app. Cameras can show you exactly what to expect on certain roadways, and conditions are updated multiple times a day.
