Fourth of July plans? Don’t forget to include a sober ride home

BOISE – As Idahoans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and partners across the state encourage everyone to include a sober ride home in their holiday plans.

ITD’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has partnered with law enforcement agencies across Idaho to devote extra resources to stopping impaired drivers around the Fourth of July. More police will be on patrol from June 30 through July 9.

“When you are making your holiday plans, they should include a sober ride home whether that’s a cab, rideshare, designated driver, or celebrating in a place where you don’t need to drive,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “Always have a plan before you start drinking. If you wait until after you may be too impaired to make the safe choice.”

Idaho is also in the middle of the 100 Deadliest Days, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Idaho sees a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes. In the last 31 days, at least 19* people have been killed in crashes on Idaho roads. In the summertime, people are off from school or work, enjoying vacations, engaging in recreational activities, and celebrating. Unfortunately, these social factors result in an increase in distracted driving, aggressive driving, and impaired driving, which makes the roads riskier for everyone, including those who are driving safely and responsibly.

For the Fourth of July and the rest of the summer remember these safe driving tips:

Always wear a seat belt. Seat belts increase your chance of surviving a crash by 50 percent.
Put away the distractions and drive engaged.
Never drink and drive. If you have a friend who is about to drive drunk, be courageous, take away their keys and help them get home safely.
Drive the speed limit, or slower if conditions are bad.
On two-lane roads, if there are more than three cars behind you, pull over in a safe place to let them pass.

*Preliminary Data

ITD & McCall get $2.9M grant for corridor design

ITD and the city of McCall were recently awarded a RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant of $2.9M for the SH-55 and Deinhard/Boydstun corridor design to address improvements that will create a more efficient intrastate highway system for travelers. and create affordable multi-modal transportation options. Project planning is expected to begin in 2024/25. The picture above shows pedestrians navigating a portion of the existing SH-55 corridor that lacks sidewalks.

The RAISE grant program supports communities of all sizes as part of the President’s Investing in America agenda.

ITD applied for the grant on February 17 and received word from the Federal Highway Administration on June 28 that the grant had been awarded.

“ITD District 3 looks forward to working with the city of McCall to enhance quality of life through transportation,” said D3 District Engineer Caleb Lakey.

The project will specifically address reduction of energy consumption, air and water quality improvement, greenhouse gases reduction, increased safety, support for local and regional commerce, and the promotion of public health. The picture to the right shows how the lack of adequate drainage facilities during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt causes flooding that compromises water quality and safety.

Safety will be paramount, as the project focuses on the SH-55 route through town that was home to 84 crashes from 2017-2021 due to conflicts between heavy trucks navigating a tight 90-degree corner and pedestrians crossing the road to access lakeside destinations. Property damage was the most frequent result of these crashes, which also included a pair of serious, incapacitating injuries. The proposed alternate route had just 27 incidents within that same five-year timeframe, none of which involved fatalities or pedestrians. Pictured at left is an exhibit from the 2021 Corridor Exchange Feasibility Study illustrates the tight turn radius of the existing SH-55 route in downtown McCall.

“This project will include study and planning of strategies and infrastructure improvements needed to improve safety for all transportation types, whether McCall is a final destination or users are just passing through,” the application states.

It also would protect Payette Lake, McCall’s sole source of drinking water and a primary tourist attraction, against the transport of hazardous materials by re-routing those trucks away from the downtown corridor and lakefront. This is especially important because increased mining in the southwest corner of Valley County is estimated to increase by 52-66 trips per day the number of loads rolling past the lake containing HazMat.

The project improves mobility and community connectivity, energy efficiency, quality of life, environmental considerations, and even benefits to housing affordability through development of transportation options geared toward a workforce largely located outside the town.

Identification of appropriate locations for EV charging stations also will be considered as part of the project.

It is the result of a close working partnership between ITD and the city of McCall that works collaboratively toward shared goals of providing a safe and efficient highway route for freight and intrastate traffic while providing safe and effective multi-modal transportation options in the McCall downtown core.

The project also aligns with Valley County’s vision for regional transportation, and dovetails with the city’s “Access McCall” and “Complete Streets” principles.

Summer flagging schedule for SH-55 & Banks-Lowman Road

Warm weather and increased recreational travel to Idaho’s mountain destinations, especially on Sundays, has resulted in longer-than-usual waits at the busy State Highway 55 and Banks-Lowman Road intersection in Banks. Flagging will begin this holiday weekend to reduce wait times.

ITD will flag traffic on the weekends and holidays expected to have the highest number of travelers due to local events.

Father’s Day
First Sunday in July
Independence Day
Second Sunday in July
Third Sunday in July
Fourth Sunday in July
Fifth Sunday in July
First Sunday in August
Second Sunday in August
Labor Day

These weekends were selected in cooperation with a working group involving Boise and Valley County community members.

Drivers should plan ahead for any road trip by checking 511.idaho.gov for the latest road conditions, and itdprojects.org for road construction work happening across the state. ITD asks drivers to please do your part to keep roads safe and prevent crashes. Slow down, drive engaged, and always buckle up.

Idaho Transportation, Lands Officials Look to the Past to Help Prevent Roadside Wildfires in the Future

BOISE – Before hitting the road for weekend or holiday adventures, officials from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) want Idahoans and Gem State visitors to make sure the safety chains attached to their trailers won’t drag and spark fires, and that tires are road worthy so they don’t blow out.

“Flat tires on vehicles and trailers pose wildfire risks when metal rims scrape along asphalt, throwing sparks into roadside fuels like dry grass”, said ITD director Scott Stokes. “Before heading out, check your tire pressure and look for damage or wear that could lead to tire failure.”

Idaho has seen catastrophic wildfires from a flat tire in the past, something state officials hope to avoid in the future. In 1992 a negligent motorist drove for miles with a flat tire on the car he was towing behind his motorhome. It started a 6,258 acre fire along Highway 55 near Banks, ID, with the driver receiving a $1.3 million bill for the cost of fighting the blaze.

Dragging trailer chains are also dangerous, they can start multiple fires along stretches of roads and highways.

A vehicle dragging a chain threw sparks into the dry grasses along I-84 near Jerome in 2019 burning more than 350 acres and impeding traffic on the freeway.

“We all want to do the right thing, and double-checking your safety chains takes less than a minute,” said Stokes.

When connecting trailer safety chains, crisscross the chains so they won’t drag on the road. Crisscrossing provides the added benefit that if the ball hitch does come loose, the trailer is cradled in the chains keeping it behind your vehicle, away from oncoming traffic.

Preventing a human cause wildfire also means being aware of your surroundings when you stop along a roadway or park to recreate.

“Parking on dry grass can also start wildfires and should always be avoided,” added IDL director Dustin Miller. “Your vehicle’s exhaust system is hot enough to spark a fire.”

In 2017 a farmer near Star, ID, lost five acres of wheat to a preventable fire caused by the hot exhaust pipe on a truck.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there were 61,429 human-caused wildfires across the nation in 2022.

“Wildfires caused by humans are 100% preventable if people would just change their behaviors and use caution and common sense,” Miller added.

It’s not just damage to the land people love, there can be severe financial consequences for negligently starting a wildfire in Idaho. Idaho law directs IDL to investigate wildfires on land it protects. Those deemed negligently responsible for starting fires face paying for suppression costs and economic damages.

According to Miller, the costs can run into the millions. “Because Idaho’s taxpayers pay for wildfire suppression, we aggressively seek to recover as much as possible from those found negligent.”

For more information about preventing wildfires and highway safety, visit www.idl.idaho.gov/prevention and www.itd.idaho.gov/safety.

Idaho’s commercial drivers can renew their licenses online starting July 1

BOISE—The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is expanding online services for Idaho’s commercial drivers. Beginning July 1, Idahoans will be able to renew a commercial driver’s license (CDL) online, an option already available for many non-CDL drivers.

“Idaho’s commercial drivers could be anywhere in the country when it is time to renew their license, so expanding online services to them just makes sense,” said DMV administrator Lisa McClellan. “Now they can renew from their phone and get back on the road.”

Starting July 1, CDL customers will be able to renew their licenses, if eligible, at DMV.idaho.gov. At this time, hazmat endorsements will not be available for online renewal due to testing requirements. The DMV is exploring hazmat testing solutions for the future.

Did you know that customers, including commercial drivers, have the option to receive DMV renewal notices through text or email? This is a convenient alternative to traditional mail delivery, especially for those who frequently travel or prefer digital communication. Customers can opt-in at DMV.idaho.gov.

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. Skip the Trip, save time, and go online to DMV.idaho.gov.

Maintenance work begins on US-95 in Culdesac Canyon

CULDESAC— Drivers can expect general maintenance work to begin this week on U.S. Highway 95 between Culdesac and Winchester to preserve the roadway for safety. Maintenance work will take place between mileposts 283 – 286 in the work zone that was set up last year to construct a southbound passing lane.

Repairs this season will focus on improving the surface of the highway by filling in potholes and resurfacing sections of pavement that deteriorated over the winter. Lanes have already been repainted and the speed limit has been reposted to 65 miles per hour.

Primary construction for the project remains on hold while the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) resolves challenges with environmental resources. ITD continues to closely coordinate with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Nez Perce Tribe so that the endangered fish will be better protected when work resumes. Another update will be sent when project work is expected to resume.

“ITD will continue to keep the highway operational in the old work zone and will update travelers when work resumes,” Operations Manager Jared Hopkins said.

Download a photo of US-95 in Culdesac Canyon.

This project is part of a corridor-wide plan to finish building an 11-mile passing lane in Culdesac Canyon to provide safer opportunities for southbound drivers to pass.

Overnight delays at Chinden and Eagle Intersection

EAGLE – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will repave the west side of the Chinden Boulevard/Eagle Road intersection overnight, starting tonight and continuing through Sunday night, June 25. Drivers should take alternate routes to avoid long delays especially for westbound and eastbound drivers. The intersection work is part of an ongoing project to repave Eagle Road, (State Highway 55), between I-84 and SH 44.

Work at the Chinden intersection will begin at 10 p.m. and end at the following times:

Weekday mornings: 6 a.m.
Saturday morning: 7 a.m.
Sunday morning: 8 a.m.
The remaining work on Eagle Road will begin at 10 p.m. and end at the following times:

Weekday mornings: 6 a.m.
Saturday mornings: 8 a.m.
Sunday mornings: 9 a.m.
Access to side streets on Eagle Road will be blocked during work hours where crews are working. Detours routes will be in place.

Crews will continue to repave the southbound lanes of Eagle Road over the next several weeks. More information will be shared at a later date about future closures when crews repave the intersections at McMillan Road, Ustick Road and Fairview Avenue.

All construction is expected to be completed by fall 2023.

For the latest closure locations, text EagleRoad to 1-866-483-8422 or visit itdprojects.org/eagleroadrepairs to sign up for email updates.

Leading Idaho funds Rigby Airport Taxiway

The latest small community airport in Idaho to benefit from Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative is the Rigby Airport. The $373,000 improvements included a new taxiway. Leading Idaho enables the Division of Aeronautics to make these worthwhile projects possible financially.

The Rigby Airport’s economic impact includes 66 jobs, $5.4M in GDP, and $11.5M in total output, according to the 2020 Idaho Economic Impact Analysis Update Report.

“It was imperative that we installed the parallel taxiway in the name of safety and constantly increasing traffic every year as the airport became appealing for a growing and vibrant aviation population,” said Rigby Airport Manager Mike Byers.

Byers added that the new taxiway was a long time coming.

“The taxiway was originally planned to be installed in 1977, but due to budget constraints, we had to shelf the project year after year. Thanks to the Idaho Division of Aeronautics, Rigby airport is now safer and able to bring sustainable growth to the city.”

The new taxiway had been identified again in the airport’s 2010 Master Plan.

As part of Governor Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative, the 2021 Idaho Legislature dedicated $126 million of one-time funds from Idaho’s budget surplus to transportation projects statewide. The funds were split 60/40 between ITD and local jurisdictions. Construction on this project is paid for with ITD’s portion of the funds that will accelerate projects to replace bridges, restore pavements, and improve mobility in communities across Idaho.

Airplanes pictured at the Rigby Airport, above.

Prepare for takeoff! Hoodoo Meadows to become next backcountry airport

Hoodoo Meadows Airstrip, located in Lemhi County in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, will become part of the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Aeronautics (Aero) stable of backcountry airstrips this summer, bringing the number of remote airstrips throughout the state to 32. (See chart, right).

Idaho’s main aviation user groups — Idaho Aviation Association (IAA) & Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) — will fund and hire a contractor to clear the existing runway area of vegetation and tree in-growth in preparation for use by pilots and recreational user groups. The runway has become overgrown with vegetation during the last four decades due to the lack of a formal maintenance program.

There are some significant benefits to maintaining Hoodoo and designating it as a backcountry airstrip available to the public:

It allows the public to access public lands.
It serves as an entry point into the backcountry for sportsmen and hikers to streams, lakes and trails, taking pressure off other areas.
It is a safety benefit, allowing access in an emergency landing/forced weather landing situation, and allowing for better response to emergency rescue or recovery situations.
It increases accessibility to all including the disabled, medically limited population.

Hoodoo Meadows Airstrip was originally built in 1936 and abandoned in 1985 due to lack of maintenance and unpredictable afternoon winds at a high elevation (8,200 feet). Despite this, there were no accidents recorded during the nearly 50 years it was in service and open to the public. The runway is 2,200 feet long and about 150 feet wide – more than sufficient to accommodate takeoffs and landings.

Idaho Department of Fish & Game, Idaho Division of Aeronautics, and the United States Forest Service started the process of re-establishing maintenance at the airstrip in 2016. Efforts to maintain Hoodoo were shelved as the project was embroiled in budgetary discussions and scope-of-work questions. In early 2020, Aero renewed efforts to address Hoodoo and maintain it as an Idaho backcountry airstrip. The Division of Aeronautics will provide continuing maintenance to the Hoodoo airstrip.

Approval to move forward with adding Hoodoo to Aero’s backcountry stable of airports was granted by the Idaho Transportation Board in April 2021 following recommendation by the Aeronautics Advisory Board. A Special Use Permit granting the go-ahead on the project was signed by the Forest Service on March 3 of this year. A follow-up request to Dept. of Environmental Quality to determine if a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Permit was required was answered on May 11, stating that it was not needed to re-establish maintenance.

See the Hoodoo Meadows webpage for details, FAQs and a list of project supporters.

Expect congestion Sunday on US-95 in CDA during Ironman

Drivers should expect congestion on U.S. Highway 95 in Coeur d’Alene and south of town this Sunday as the highway will be partially closed during the Ironman Race.

Lanes will be closed on US-95 from the Spokane River Bridge south to the State Highway 58 Interchange from approximately 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Traffic on US-95 will be restricted to one lane in each direction and crossed over to the southbound set of lanes, with flaggers at all public intersections. Race traffic will use the northbound set of lanes.

“Closures will be similar to what drivers can remember from previous races, but with two active work zones along the course, delays will be worse than normal,” Traffic Engineer Nathan Herbst said.

Work zones are already in place at the Spokane River Bridge and the nearby intersection of US-95 with Lincoln Way and Walnut Avenue. While no active work will be taking place, there is only room for one lane to be open during the race at the US-95 bridges over the Spokane River and Northwest Boulevard. Drivers will have to wait for flaggers to allow them to proceed through.

Drivers looking to cross the Spokane River and avoid congestion near downtown Coeur d’Alene should plan to use the Spokane Street Bridge in Post Falls or the Appleway Avenue Bridge near the state line.

Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for any traffic impacts on interstates and state highways.