Final repairs to US-12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge start Saturday

Picture of the deck on the Clearwater Memorial Bridge on a sunny morning.

Beginning Saturday, traffic on the U.S. Highway 12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction in preparation for a new surface that will provide a smoother ride for drivers.

Crews will start on the northbound lanes and then shift to the other lanes of the bridge. Each side will remain closed for a few days while crews complete their work. After the new surface is complete, lanes will be striped.

The public should expect minimal traffic delays through the work zone and into next week. Sidewalks will remain open. Crews will work sunrise to sunset.

The work will wrap up before the Fourth of July. Touch up work such as fastening, patching, and painting have been ongoing since the spring. Last winter in 2024, crews finished pouring concrete on the new deck allowing the bridge to be fully opened to traffic.

The newly renovated bridge provides larger travel lanes, shoulders, median and sidewalks. In addition, the construction brought the bridge up to current standards, eliminating weight restrictions for heavy loads that use the bridge daily.

Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

Repairs to two bridges in Canyon County start Sunday night

Bridge over freeway with a couple of cars going across.

CANYON COUNTY – The Idaho Transportation Department will begin maintenance work on two bridges in Canyon County starting Sunday night. Crews will work on both bridges simultaneously with construction lasting approximately one week.

The structures being repaired include the bridge for the eastbound on-ramp that crosses Indian Creek at the Karcher Interchange in Nampa and the Centennial Way Railroad bridge in Caldwell. Work will take place between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. with speed limits reduced to 35 mph.

At the Karcher Interchange, the on-ramp will be closed. Motorists will still be able to access I-84 by following the signed detour.

At the Centennial Way Railroad Bridge, one lane will be open in each direction.

This work is part of a larger effort to repair bridges throughout southwestern Idaho to extend their service life and reduce maintenance costs. ITD has completed work on bridges in Elmore and Ada counties and will be working on bridges along US-95 in Adams/Idaho counties later this summer.

Repairs will include:

  • Patching and sealing concrete
  • Working on expansion joints
  • Removing asphalt overlays
  • Improving deck drains
  • Milling and paving bridge approaches
  • Painting steel structures

ITD is committed to minimizing disruption during construction while prioritizing the safety of both crews and motorists. Drivers are urged to use extra caution when traveling through active work zones.

To learn more about the project or sign up for construction updates visit the project website at ITDProjects.Idaho.Gov/pages/Bridges2025

SH-45 lane reductions will begin Monday between Deer Flat Road and Walter’s Ferry

Open highway in rural area.

NAMPA – Motorists can expect lane restrictions on State Highway 45 between Deer Flat Road and Junction 78 near Walter’s Ferry while the Idaho Transportation Department applies a protective sealcoat to the roadway. The project will extend the life of the asphalt.

Starting Monday, crews will remove pavement markings, and flaggers will be in place to direct traffic.

Crews will begin work at Deer Flat Road in south Nampa and work their way 12 miles south toward Junction 78. Work is expected to be completed by late July.

Motorists can expect that:

  • SH-45 will be reduced to one lane in the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will direct traffic.
  • Work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday. All lanes will be open outside of working hours.
  • Speed limits will be reduced, and 12-foot lane restrictions may be in place.

Questions may be directed to (208) 402-8408 or info@itdsealcoats.org.

Current restrictions are also posted to 511.idaho.gov.

All abuzz and aflutter about Pollinator Week

Traditionally, the third week in June is recognized as Idaho Pollinator Week. The essential partnership between birds, bugs and birds and agriculture and government agencies is celebrated year-round by ITD, though. The week draws awareness to pollinators and spreads the word about how we can protect them.

The agency continually promotes awareness of pollinators and pollinator habitats, Statewide Vegetation Program Manager Cathy Ford said.

“Pollinator species such as birds and insects are increasingly recognized as essential partners to farmers and ranchers in producing much of our food supply. Because Idaho is so agriculturally dependent, that partnership is especially important in the Gem State,” Ford said.

Idaho is home to an abundance of insect pollinators central to the health of our environment. Beetles, flies, wasps, moths, butterflies — but especially bees — all contribute.

Ford also said ITD recently entered into the Monarch CCAA (Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances) program. The Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group at the University of Illinois-Chicago led a national, multi-sector collaborative effort to develop a voluntary conservation agreement to provide habitat for the monarch butterfly. More than 40 organizations from across the energy and transportation sectors worked together to develop the CCAA that encourages landowners and land managers to adopt measures to create net conservation benefits for the monarch butterfly. The effort is unprecedented in terms of its cross-sector participation and geographic extent. The agreement spans the entire contiguous 48 states and is encompass millions of acres of habitat.

To date, there are 40 energy sectors and 40 transportation agencies who applied for the Monarch CCAA and 66 Certificates of Inclusion issued! Ford said that ITD is among that group! More than 1.2M acres have been adopted. The adopted acres are lands dedicated to promoting habitat by reduced mowing and herbicide treatments, protection of native habitat and monarch host plants, and seeding acres that include a wide range of native plant species. Another way to look at it is the adopted acres are actual acres set aside for monarch habitat (reduced mowing and herbicide treatments, etc.).

Pollinator Partnership celebrates National Pollinator Week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior. ITD also takes part in partnership projects with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish & Game, and other state and federal agencies.

Inkom on-ramp to northbound I-15 (Exit 58) night closures planned for next week

Map of detour in construction area around Inkom.

Due to bridge demolition, the Inkom northbound entrance ramp onto I-15 will be closed for two nights. The West Inkom Interchange northbound entrance ramp (Exit 58) closure will take place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Monday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 24, weather and other factors permitting.

Traffic will be detoured to Old Highway 91 and then to Exit 63 to head north on I-15. Please watch for crews, use caution, and drive safely.

Due to the nature of the work, considerable noise is expected during the bridge demolition.

The Idaho Transportation Department is in the process of replacing bridges on I-15 at Inkom:

  • Over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and Old Highway 91.
  • Over Rapid Creek Road (Main Street).
  • I-15 bridges and reconstructing the West Interchange.

ITD combined and streamlined the projects to reduce the construction timeline to approximately two years rather than doing one location at a time over three years. This approach minimizes disruption to the local community and the traveling public and efficiently uses construction funds.

To learn more about the project or sign up for construction updates, please visit: itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i15-inkom-corridor. This temporary closure and other traffic impacts will be posted to 511.idaho.gov.

Hazard Tree Removal on Idaho Highways

Logs from a hazard tree removal project decked up on the side of the road awaiting removal.

The Idaho Transportation Department would like to share information regarding tree removal along highways in Idaho.

The current tree clearing you may see in various locations along state routes is part of an ongoing hazard tree removal effort as part of our maintenance program to improve safety.

We prioritize removal based on the below safety benefits:

  • Visibility: Clearer sightlines mean drivers can spot wildlife or obstacles sooner.
  • Clear zone: Removing obstacles like trees from the clear zone around highways makes it more likely that any drivers who leave the roadway have a better chance of safely recovering and making it back to the road.
  • Winter driving safety: More sunlight reaches the road surface, reducing icy conditions and the risk of black ice.
  • Roadway safety: Reduces the risk of falling trees on the roadway.
  • Wildfire preparedness: Removing trees near the road creates natural firebreaks that can serve to help slow or stop wildfires.

ITD is not just focusing on tree removal within our own right of way but also proactively engaging other public agency partners, such as the U.S. Forrest Service and Idaho Parks and Recreation, to bring these safety benefits along more of our highways.

In instances where there is a need to address trees on private property we work collaboratively with property owners and get express permission before proceeding with tree removal. We do not remove trees on private land without permission.

It’s also important to understand that not all tree removal you may see along highways is being performed by ITD. Private property owners and timber operations often conduct logging or thinning near roadways, and while we require permits for any work within our right of way that we are not initiating, many of these operations happen entirely on private land.

We understand that Idahoans value our outdoor spaces and the area’s natural beauty. Every decision we make on hazard trees is made with the intent of saving lives.

We’re committed to being transparent about our work and welcome any questions from the public. The public can always reach out directly to ITD for accurate information from district representatives.

Paving begins north of Blackfoot

A dump truck and paver working on repaving a road.

Tomorrow the Idaho Transportation Department will begin repaving the southbound lanes of Interstate 15 from the Rose/Firth Exit 98 to one mile north of West Blackfoot Exit 93. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and moved over to the northbound side of I-15.

The project will reconstruct the road to address rutting and potholes. Work is anticipated to be completed in mid-August. The northbound lanes were similarly repaved last year.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area and are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours.

DMV urges Treasure Valley residents to renew driver’s licenses online

Brunette woman in a yellow top with sunglasses on her head driving a convertible. "DMV News" is in a box with more text indicating to "Skip the Trip".

BOISE — The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles is encouraging all eligible Treasure Valley residents to renew their driver’s licenses online at dmv.idaho.gov.

DMV offices across the region are experiencing higher-than-normal in-person traffic. Renewing online helps reduce wait times, ensures faster service for those who must visit in person, and supports hardworking DMV staff.

Who can renew online?Most Idahoans can renew online if they are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, their license hasn’t been expired for more than 24 months, they are between the ages of 18 and 66, and there have been no recent changes to their vision or ability to operate a vehicle safely. Additional restrictions may apply.

Existing Star Card holders may be eligible to renew their credential online. First time Star Card applications must be processed in person at a local driver’s license office.

Skip the Trip and save time. Renew today at dmv.idaho.gov.

Treasure Valley projects identified for further funding

Since Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds were first used by the department for bonding and advancing major projects in 2022, ITD has delivered timely construction of expansion projects across the state. Today’s actions are a continuation of that.  

Funding came from House Bill 25, which was passed by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year. The legislation provides an additional $20 million a year to the TECM fund for the next three years and allows the department to invest an extra $1 billion in the Idaho transportation system. 

With this new funding, the following projects have been recommended for further design and construction:

  • SH-16 from SH-44 to Beacon Light: This project will increase capacity by widening the road from two to four lanes with a median barrier between the future SH-44 Interchange and Beacon Light Road. An overpass will be added at Floating Feather Road. Construction is anticipated to start in 2027, one year earlier than planned. 
  • I-84 Mobility Improvements: The ongoing study will provide a prioritized list of operational improvements like auxiliary lanes between Boise and Nampa, and this revenue stream will provide construction funding for the highest priority needs that emerge from the study. 
  • US-20/26 from Middleton to Star: This project will add capacity by widening the road to two lanes in both directions and improve safety by adding a continuous center turn lane. Construction is anticipated to start in 2026, four years earlier than planned. 
  • SH-44 from Star to SH-16: This project will add capacity by widening the road from three to five lanes between Mira Avenue and Moyle Ave. It includes resurfacing between Star Road and Mira Ave. Construction is anticipated to start in 2027, two years earlier than planned. Download a photo of the SH-44 and SH-16 intersection. 

With these projects now included in the draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP), the public will have the opportunity to give feedback on these projects and the department’s full list of planned projects from 2026-2032 during the annual comment period in July. Then the draft ITIP will be presented to the board for approval in September.  

The board’s action today reflects continued investment targeting congestion and capacity in major corridors that were previously funded by TECM bonds as authorized by the Idaho Legislature. In Southwest Idaho, TECM funds have successfully extended SH-16 from I-84 to US-20/26 including the construction of five new interchanges, with the corridor set to open by 2027. These funds also allowed SH-55 to be widened to two lanes in each direction from Farmway Road to Middleton Road, with work set to be done in 2027. 

These latest projects were identified because they are existing high-priority corridor needs that will improve traffic flow and increase safety.  

SH-75 project identified for further funding

State Highway 75 near McKercher Ave

Today at its regular monthly meeting the Idaho Transportation Board accepted staff recommendations on priority corridors across Idaho using TECM funds to address congestion, including State Highway 75 north of Hailey. Since Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds were first used by the department for bonding and advancing major projects in 2022, ITD has delivered timely construction of expansion projects across the state. Today’s actions are a continuation of that.

Funding came from House Bill 25, which was passed by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year. The legislation provides an additional $20 million a year to the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation fund for the next three years and allows the department to invest an extra $1 billion in the Idaho transportation system.

With this new funding, SH-75 from McKercher Boulevard to Broadway Run has been recommended for advanced construction. This project will add capacity by widening the road to two lanes in each direction. Safety will be enhanced with a continuous center turn lane and pedestrian/transit improvements. Construction is anticipated to start in 2026, one year earlier than planned.

With this project now included in the draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP), the public will have the opportunity to give feedback on this project and the department’s full list of planned projects from 2026-2032 during the annual comment period in July. Then the draft ITIP will be presented to the board for approval in September.

The board’s action today reflects continued investment targeting congestion and capacity in major corridors that were previously funded by TECM bonds as authorized by the Idaho Legislature. In South-central Idaho, TECM funds are funding the widening of I-84 from Jerome to Twin Falls, and full reconstruction of the Burley and Heyburn Interchanges.

This project and others were identified because they are existing high-priority corridor needs that will improve traffic flow and increase safety.