Idaho DMV adds new features to online customer portal

BOISE- The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has added new features to the online customer portal at DMV.idaho.gov. To enhance security and customer convenience the DMV has implemented a Single Sign On (SSO) system, as well as a document center.

The SSO system asks customers to link an email address and create a password to access the DMV Online portal. Customers who use online accounts for banking, utilities, and shopping will be familiar with SSO systems. Once the account is linked, customers will only need their email and password to log on. The change makes information more secure and makes it faster and easier to access DMV online services.

The document center makes it easy for customers to access all of their documents from the DMV. Customers can view and download copies of reminders, receipts, letters, and more.

“The DMV is regularly adding new features to our online portal,” said DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan. “We are all about elevating the customer experience by making more tools and transactions available at customers’ fingertips.”

DMV.idaho.gov is a one-stop-shop for everything DMV. Over a dozen transactions can be completed online, from a change of address to registration renewals. Customers searching the web should be wary of imitation and scam websites claiming to offer DMV services. The safest option is always to type DMV.idaho.gov directly into your browser bar. Skip the Trip, save time, and go online to DMV.idaho.gov.

Paving begins next week at SH-53 and Ramsey Road

half-paved intersection at SH-53 and Ramsey Road

Starting Tuesday the Idaho Transportation Department will begin paving at the intersection of State Highway 53 and Ramsey Road as part of ongoing construction to add turning and through lanes.

Paving is expected to last up to three days. The highway will remain reduced to one lane in alternating shifts to allow traffic flow during construction. During this time flaggers may be utilized to assist with traffic flow. Drivers accessing SH-53 from Ramsey Road should expect longer delays than normal, but delays for traffic already on SH-53 should be minimal.

Once paving is complete, crews will adjust timing for the temporary signal to reduce delays. One lane on SH-53 will continue to be closed through the intersection until the permanent signal is installed in October.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

ITD to begin night work in Idaho Falls this week through September

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin a resurfacing project August 10 that will last through the end of September on Interstate 15/U.S. Highway 26 from Sunnyside Road to Lomax Street in Idaho Falls.

Crews will first mill or grind down the upper layer of the existing asphalt to remove any cracks, ruts, and imperfections. They will then place a layer of asphalt on top of the milled surface to fill any holes and make a smooth surface. This will help extend the lifespan of the road.

During construction traffic will always remain on a paved surface, and pedestrians will always be able to pass through the work zone.

Work will begin each night at 8 p.m. and last until 6 a.m. Lane restrictions will be in place along with flaggers during work hours. All signals may be off at times throughout construction. Drivers should follow directions from flaggers or treat a red flashing signal as an all-way stop.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

Repaving project on US-20 in Island Park

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin repaving on US Highway 20 through Island Park on August 14 and is expected to last until late September.

Repaving will take place on the 17.6 mile stretch of US-20 from Pine Haven Drive North to Island Park Lodge between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The roadway will be reduced to one lane in alternating shifts to allow traffic flow. During this time there will be flaggers on the road as well as a pilot car to lead traffic approximately two and a half miles each shift. This will continue until the project is completed in late September.

Repaving is important to maintaining the roadways. Heavy traffic takes a toll on both concrete and asphalt, producing ruts and surface generated cracks. Road resurfacing increases the safety of our roadways and contributes to longevity and clarity of road markings.

Drivers are encouraged to obey traffic laws, traffic signs, and construction signs while traveling through work zones.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

Variable speed limit signs in place in the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls work zone to improve safety

JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has installed variable speed limit signs to improve safety as crews widen I-84 between the South Jerome and Twin Falls Interchanges. The new signs are controlled remotely, allowing ITD to lower speeds when crews are working near traffic.

The current posted speed limit in the work zone is 70 mph. When crews are working near traffic, ITD will lower the speed limit, and a flashing beacon will notify drivers that speed limits have been lowered. When crews are not as close to traffic, ITD will raise the speed limits to 70 mph.

Variable speeds have been successfully implemented in other work zones, including the one on I-84 between Caldwell and Nampa. Research shows that variable speed limits reduce crashes, reduce travel times, and improve safety.

The signs will be removed when construction is complete in late fall of 2025.

Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.

Repaving next week on I-84 near Blacks Creek to cause closures

Repaving has been rescheduled to start next week due to equipment availability. Drivers should pay attention to road signage or check 511 for exact timing of impacts.

This week maintenance workers with the Idaho Transportation Department will resurface part of I-84 between Eisenman Road (Exit 59A) and Blacks Creek Road (Exit 64).

Crews will repave the worst sections of the slow lane heading eastbound. Once repairs begin tomorrow near Eisenman Road, the eastbound on-ramp and one lane on I-84 will be closed. The ramp closure is expected to last one day, though work will continue on I-84 for up to three days. Workers will time repairs to avoid morning and evening commutes.

Westbound travelers will not be affected. Access to the Blacks Creek Rest Area will remain mostly open, save for a few hours tomorrow.

Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.

I-15 resurfacing work to begin Monday north of Rose

POCATELLO – Beginning Monday August 7, the Idaho Transportation Department will be resurfacing Interstate 15 from the Rose Interchange 7 miles north to North Lava Rocks. Crossovers will be used to move traffic to the other side of the interstate while work is being done. Motorists should expect reduced speeds during construction. Construction will pause each Friday morning to accommodate weekend traffic.

Work will continue until September 1 when it will be paused for a week to accommodate increased traffic during the Eastern Idaho State Fair. Afterward the project will resume for four additional weeks.

Motorists should check https://511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app for the latest information on road construction.

“Do the math. Save a life.” New math program teaches safe driving and data science

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Idaho Department of Education, Idaho STEM Action Center, and Horizon Credit Union have teamed up on new math resources for Algebra 1 students. A coalition of math educators from across Idaho developed a series of lessons, called “Do the math. Save a life,” that use Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) crash data to teach Algebra and data analysis skills.

“So much data is thrown out in the world these days, and it’s important to empower students to be critical consumers of data. Being able to understand and interpret data and statistics is an essential skill for modern society,” explained Josie Derrick, Lead Math Innovator at One Stone and part of the team that created the lessons. “By providing students with opportunities to use math as a tool to think critically and engage in discussions where there may not be a “right” answer, we build skills for students to become more engaged citizens in the future.”

OHS collects data on all crashes that happen on Idaho roads and displays it on publicly available dashboards. The new math program uses that data to provide examples of math in real life and teaches students lessons like scatter plots, frequency tables, and analyzing claims.

“We are all more curious about what’s happening in our own communities,” said Erin Corwine, part of the team that created the lessons and K-8 Mathematics Instructional Specialist at the Developing Mathematical Thinking Institute, Idaho. “Because the dataset is specific to Idaho, students can interact with data points unique to their counties, and in some cases, even specific intersections, so there’s relevance in the learning.”

OHS data shows Idaho teens are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash than other age groups.

“Not only are these lessons teaching them math, but they are also teaching teens about the dangers of distracted, aggressive, and impaired driving,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “We want them to understand the risks to they can make safe choices once they start learning how to drive.”

Horizon Credit Union provided financial support for the creation of the math lessons.

The “Do the math. Save a life” program will be presented to math teachers from around the state at the Imagine the Places You’ll Go STEM Conference on August 3 and 4 in Boise. Part of the conference will include a field trip to see the mathematics that ITD employees use in their jobs. Boise Police will conduct an actual car crash demonstration and will be available to discuss the science behind crash investigations. Members of the media are welcome to observe the field trip on August 4 from 1-3:30 pm at the ITD Annex, 3293 W Jordan St, Boise, ID 83703.

Educators who want to review and use the new lessons can download materials from https://shift-idaho.org/do-the-math/.

SH-53 construction starts Monday in Rathdrum

Construction will begin Monday on State Highway 53 in Rathdrum to add a center turn lane in city limits. Once complete in 2024, the center turn lane will keep through traffic moving while providing other drivers a safe area to wait while trying to turn.

All lanes will remain open during construction, but the speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph. Drivers can expect minimal impacts during this first year of construction as crews replace a culvert for Rathdrum Creek and build ditches to help with drainage. Widening to add a center turn lane won’t start until next year.

“Although this project won’t be as impactful out of the gate, drivers should still plan extra time as there are several other work zones on SH-53,” Project Manager Steven Bakker said.

Commuters on SH-53 will continue to encounter reduced speeds in other work zones near Rathdrum, including widening efforts to the west near Hauser and intersection improvements at Ramsey Road to the east.

Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov to stay up to date on construction delays.

Open house for US-12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge rescheduled

Clearwater Memorial Bridge Improvements Open House

LEWISTON — A new date for the U.S. Highway 12 Memorial Bridge Open House has been selected. The informal meeting will now be held be on Tuesday, September 12th from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. PST at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel. All members from the public and the surrounding community are invited.

Next month ITD will share renderings of the bridge improvements and have staff on hand to answer questions. The department will also share plans to accommodate drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists during the first phase of construction.

View one of the renderings.

For more information about the project please visit itdprojects.org/us12memorialbridge