US-20 delays and slower speeds starting next week for INL paving operations

Graphic map of US-20 west of Idaho Falls indicating traffic movement changes near the junction of US-20, US-26 at the INL entrance.

The Idaho Transportation Department is partnering with the Idaho National Laboratory to alert motorists of changes to their commute beginning next week.

Starting Monday, paving operations within the INL site will limit usual turning movements at the Puzzle, the junction of US-20, US-26 and INL. During morning and overnight hours, traffic will be able to make right turns only off US-20 into the site.

From 4 to 6:30 p.m. traffic at the Puzzle will be restricted to outbound only movement, with no inbound turns allowed.

Speed will be reduced to 50 mph on US-20 near and through the Puzzle while this work is completed.

Both inbound and outbound site traffic will be able to access US-20 from an alternative route at West Portland Avenue, Gate Three, one mile west of the Puzzle. No dedicated turning lane exists on US-20 at this intersection, so motorists are urged to be alert and slow down.

Flaggers will be present as needed when INL paving work is near the intersections of US-20 or US-26. Traffic control signs and lower speed limits will not be in effect when work is not actively ongoing along these roadways.

INL paving operations are expected to be complete and traffic running as usual by late September.

INL employees should refer to internal communication regarding effects to their commute on roads within the site. Effects to US-20 and US-26 will be noted on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.

Massacre Rocks rest stop to close next week

Beginning Monday, the Interstate 86 westbound rest stop west of American Falls will be closed for maintenance. Crews will be repainting and landscaping. Work will continue until Monday, August 18.

ITD closing SH-46 at railroad crossing in Buhl for repairs next week

The Idaho Transportation Department is shutting down State Highway 46 (Clear Lakes Road) at the railroad crossing in Buhl from Monday through Aug. 16. ITD will repair the asphalt and replace the tracks near the SH-46/US 30 intersection.

North and southbound traffic on SH-46 can detour using Elm Street.
Westbound truck traffic is advised to take Broadway Avenue.
Eastbound truck traffic is advised to take N 1600 E to Sawtooth.

Please watch for detour signs as you navigate through the area.

This project was not initially planned to happen this year, but additional funding and recognition of the public need allowed ITD to quickly get these repairs planned and underway.

With average daily crossing of more than 3,000 vehicles, it is important to give yourself extra time to get through the detours and drive safely.

For up-to-date traffic information check 511.idaho.gov.

Construction begins Monday to widen I-90 between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene

Traffic congestion on Interstate 90 between Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin construction Monday on a major project to widen Interstate 90 between State Highway 41 in Post Falls and U.S. Highway 95 in Coeur d’Alene. This four-year effort, expected to be complete in 2029, will add capacity to one of North Idaho’s busiest stretches of freeway. As one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region, the project is designed to ease congestion, enhance safety, and position the corridor to accommodate continued growth for years to come.

Initial construction tasks will include tree removal from the center median and shoulders, placing temporary barriers, installing work zone signs, minor traffic shifts, and starting construction on the Prairie Trail Bridge. As work begins and continues through fall and winter, drivers can expect:

Work will typically occur Monday through Friday with both daytime and nighttime activity, though some weekend work may occur as well
Two lanes of travel being maintained in both directions during daylight hours
- Lanes may be reduced during nighttime hours as needed
Variable speed limits, with digital signs adjusting speeds based on nearby work activity.
- Drivers should pay extra close attention to the posted speed limits and drive accordingly

The widening effort is the first project from the I-90 Corridor Study to move into construction, prioritized for its significant impact in reducing congestion between SH-41 and US-95.

Major improvements the project will deliver include:

Adding two lanes in both eastbound and westbound directions of I-90 for a total of four lanes in each direction
Replacing and widening bridges over Huetter Road, Atlas Road, and Prairie Trail
Realigning and improving adjacent sections of both the Prairie and Centennial Trails
Lengthening existing on- and off-ramps to allow for a safer merging with I-90 traffic. Ramp locations include:
- All ramps at the Northwest Blvd. Interchange
- Eastbound off-ramp at US-95
- Westbound off-ramp at US-95

“Relieving congestion on this stretch of I-90 is one of the most common requests that ITD hears from the public and we are excited to begin work to improve the traveling experience on the corridor,” said Zach Feist, ITD Project Manager.

This corridor expansion project will ultimately be bookended by two new interchanges. On the west end, the SH-41 interchange began construction in 2022 and is expected to be fully complete in 2026. At the east end the next major I-90 interchange project to be built will be at US-95 and is currently in the design phase, with construction possible as early as 2027.

Various projects identified in the I-90 Corridor Study are advancing separately but on a similar timeline through the design and construction phase, including I-90 interchange projects at both ends of this project corridor. Construction of the SH-41 interchange is scheduled to be complete next year and the US-95 Interchange is in the design phase with construction expected to begin in 2027 after recent funding was awarded through the TECM bonding program.

The project is primarily funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. The TECM program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build.

ITD is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information for drivers to plan extra time to safely pass through the work zone. To stay up to date on this and other projects within the I-90 corridor, visit our website and sign up for email and text updates.

For the most up-to-date statewide traffic information, visit 511.idaho.gov or download the app.

Star Card available without appointment at select DMV locations

BOISE – The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles reminds residents that Star Card issuance (also known as REAL ID) is available without an appointment at the following motor vehicles offices:

Motor Vehicles Ada County – 9115 Suite 103 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise, ID
Motor Vehicles Canyon County – 6107 Graye Ln., Caldwell, ID
Motor Vehicles Clearwater County – 2200 Michigan Ave., Orofino, ID

Customers are encouraged to review the required documents before visiting. More information is available at dmv.idaho.gov

I-84 westbound on-ramp at Heyburn Exit 211 will close tomorrow night

The I-84 westbound on-ramp at the Heyburn Interchange (Exit 211) will temporarily close tomorrow night for construction.

Crews will begin the closure at approximately 6 p.m. The ramp is anticipated to be open again by 7 a.m. Saturday. Westbound traffic will be detoured east on I-84 and reconnected at Exit 216 near Declo. Detour signs will guide motorists through the project area. Motorists should watch for crews and use caution while travelling through the construction zone.

Construction has been underway since 2024 to update the Heyburn and Burley Interchanges to meet growing traffic demands and is anticipated to be complete in 2026. The project is funded as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho transportation funding initiative. The Leading Idaho initiative allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to advance large projects that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy, and positively impact the Magic Valley and communities across the state for years to come.

To learn more about the project, please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/projects/i-84-burley-and-heyburninterchanges. This closure and others will be posted to 511.idaho.gov.

Porterville Road Bridge over I-15 closed

The Porterville Road Bridge over Interstate 15 north of Blackfoot remains closed after a backhoe being hauled by a semi struck the bridge from underneath Tuesday evening, causing severe damage to a girder. The bridge will remain closed until the Idaho Transportation Department can install a temporary traffic light to allow one lane of traffic over the undamaged portion of the overpass.

ITD is still assessing the damage to determine what work will be required to repair the bridge. Motorists are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for the latest information on this closure and other traffic events.

Weight restrictions in place over Yankee Fork Bridge

Yankee Fork Bridge northeast of Stanley has a weight restriction in effect to prevent further damage to the bridge after a large hole developed last week due to the failure of a previous patch. Trucks are limited to 9.3 tons per axle with overall weight limits on large trucks.

A speed reduction of 25 mph is also in effect and steel plates have been placed over the damaged area to allow traffic to continue to cross until repairs are complete. ITD will be monitoring the plates daily to ensure they do not move.

Last week, a hole developed in the deck of Yankee Fork Bridge due to the failure of a previous patch.

Drivers should also be aware of bumps due to the steel plates and drive with caution, especially those pulling trailers or riding motorcycles.

Work to repair the bridge is expected to begin in the next two weeks and during that time, traffic will be reduced to one lane with temporary signals allowing traffic to alternate through the work zone.

Drivers are encouraged to use the Idaho 511 system to monitor ongoing traffic impacts and plan their travel accordingly.

US-95 Aht’Wy Plaza receives safety features and repairs

Picture of the US-95 Aht’Wy interchange looking across with traffic moving on either side.

Crews are out on U.S. Highway 95 near the Aht’Wy Plaza installing safety features and signage to help guide travelers through the interchange. They will also remove and repave nearly 100 feet of pavement to fix a soft spot near the east side of the interchange.

Caution is advised when approaching the work zone as flaggers may be present on either side of the highway. Motorists can expect at least one travel lane to be closed in each direction and may experience delays of up to 30 minutes. Crews will be working weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. All work is estimated to take two weeks to complete.

To improve safety yellow tubular delineators will be permanently adhered to the centerline to separate opposing traffic and deter southbound motorists from making dangerous left turns across the highway.

Also, green directional signage will be posted at critical locations and new pavement markings will be painted to enhance navigation around the plaza. Southbound travelers wanting to access the gas station or casino must use the exit at Nez Perce Drive. Only northbound travelers may use the right-hand turn lane to exit into the gas station. Both directions of travel on the highway may continue to use the interchange to access the plaza.

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

ITD night work scheduled for multiple locations on I-90, US-95 and SH-53 throughout August

Crews sealing cracks on US-95 in Coeur d'Alene.

Drivers in Kootenai County should expect various nighttime lane closures, detours, and shifting traffic patterns throughout August as the Idaho Transportation Department performs a series of small maintenance and pavement preservation projects.

Work will take place overnight, typically between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., to limit daytime traffic impacts. Crews will rotate between several locations to complete tasks like resurfacing, sealing cracks and restriping, among and other surface repairs.

“We’re taking advantage of the cooler nighttime hours to minimize disruptions while improving the condition and safety of our highways,” Foreman TJ Gibson said. “We really appreciate the public’s patience and engaged driving for the safety of our guys and gals out working on the roads.”

Upcoming work schedule

Schedules may shift depending on weather and progress.

Aug. 4: Lane shift on State Highway 53 near Greensferry Road to remove existing striping in preparation for new lines.

Aug. 6: On-ramp to westbound Interstate 90 from Beck Road closed, and one lane closed on I-90 near the Washington state line for resurfacing.

Aug. 7: Lane closures at Beck Road and Point Parkway for resurfacing.

Week of Aug. 11: Crack sealing on the Post Falls Business Loop which consists of Seltice Way from Bay Street to Spokane Street.

Aug. 14: Full overnight closure at the intersection of Spokane Street and Seltice Way for resurfacing. Detours will be posted in 511 and via local signage.

Aug. 19: Both southbound lanes closed on U.S. Highway 95 near Appleway Avenue; detours for the intersection will be in place.

Aug. 21: Both northbound lanes closed on US-95 near Appleway Avenue; detours for the intersection will be in place.

Week of Aug. 25: Crack sealing throughout the US-95 corridor through Coeur d’Alene.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, drive with caution through work zones, and use Idaho 511 online or through the app for the most up-to-date traffic impacts and detour routes.