Impacts will change beginning Monday, August 7, in the work zone to upgrade the I-90 and State Highway 41 Interchange in Post Falls as work shifts to Seltice Way. The $78 million project is funded through Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program and is in its second year of construction.
Changes to traffic impacts include:
Only one eastbound lane on Seltice Way will be open between Herborn Place and Ross Point Road. It will be shared by both through and turning traffic. This is expected to increase congestion for drivers heading north on SH-41 or east on I-90.
Two westbound lanes on Seltice Way will be open between Herborn Place and Ross Point Road. Those lanes will be shared by both through and turning traffic.
Two new temporary signals at the intersections of Seltice Way with Herborn Place and Ross Point Road will be turned on early next week. The permanent signals in the area will be deactivated and removed.
Drivers will not be able to access Seltice Way from Herborn Place for the next two months.
Left turns from Ross Point Road onto Seltice Way will be prohibited.
Drivers will still be able to access the freeway but should plan for congestion.
“Next week is a major shift in impacts and really the first time we will be closing lanes on Seltice Way,” Project Manager Shannon Stein said. “Travelers will still be able to access local businesses on the route.”
Bicycle and pedestrian pathways will remain open with occasional detours when necessary.
This phase of work on Seltice Way is expected to be complete by the fall of 2023. Crews will transition back Seltice Way to align it with the new I-90/SH 41 Interchange later in construction.
Crews continue to build temporary and permanent bridges on I-90. All construction is anticipated to be done in 2025. To learn about the future I-90/SH-41 interchange and how it will function, watch this video.
Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative allowed the project to begin one year earlier than expected and has enabled ITD to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today across the state that would otherwise take many years to fund and build.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is looking for a full-time Public Information Officer to serve the Southwest Idaho regional office located in Boise, Idaho. The ideal candidate will have experience in the transportation field or familiarity with transportation issues, and will also be media savvy.
This individual will make a difference daily, and will be part of an award-winning agency, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Idaho through transportation. At ITD, every employee is critical to the mission as we strive to foster an innovative, collaborative workplace where employees can grow and do their best work. This opening is an opportunity to use your media relations, writing, and collaboration skills to promote the department’s mission.
The PIO will join the department’s Office of Communication professionals statewide in telling the story of one of the best transportation departments in the country. Candidates must have strong writing skills, experience interacting with news media, an understanding of how to use social media effectively, and the ability to develop successful outreach campaigns, facilitate public meetings and assist with internal communication.
REXBURG—The Idaho Transportation Department will begin resurfacing the South Fork Teton River Bridge on State Highway 33 on July 31, with repairs expected to last until the end of August.
Repairs will replace the surface of the bridge to extend the life of the bridge. In addition, the sidewalk and walls will undergo minor work.
One lane will be closed in each direction, and drivers will not be able to make left turns within the work zone. Pedestrians will be able to cross the bridge throughout construction and access to nearby businesses will also remain open.
For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.
Reconstruction work requiring the closure of the westbound I-84 off-ramp at Franklin Road (Exit 29) in Caldwell is finished, and the off-ramp is now open to traffic.
The Idaho Transportation Department thanks motorists for their patience during the closure that allowed the contractor to safely expedite reconstruction of the off-ramp over the past six weeks. The work contributes to ongoing improvements to U.S. Highway 20/26 between I-84 and Middleton Road.
The contractor completed the work requiring the closure yesterday afternoon. Workers may still be in the area periodically, so drivers are asked to be aware and engaged in the project area.
Motorists will see changing traffic patterns in the coming weeks on US-20/26 between I-84 and Middleton Road. Travel lanes will shift to the north as work is focused on the south side of the highway. Drivers should pay particular attention to the lane configuration between Aviation Way and Smeed Parkway by slowing down and following construction signs.
Diagram showing traffic shift
Reconstruction of US-20/26 between I-84 and Middleton Road is scheduled to be complete in 2024.
NAMPA – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is sharing the finalized design plans for the State Highway 55, Farmway to Middleton Road project, which is part of Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho Transportation initiative.
An online meeting will be available July 20-27 to ensure everyone can learn about the project and provides an opportunity to give feedback. The open house took place on July 20 in Nampa.
The SH-55, Farmway to Middleton project involves rebuilding and widening several miles of SH-55 west of the Karcher Interchange in Nampa and Caldwell. Improvements being constructed as part of the project include:
Two lanes in each direction
Raised center median between Middleton Road and 10th Ave.
Wider shoulders
10 ft. bicycle and pedestrian pathway on both sides of the highway
Some changes have been made to the design since last summer’s public meeting. These include removal of mid-mile U-turns and widening the SH-55/Middleton Road intersection. ITD has determined that the design will still meet the needs of motorists through 2045.
Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.
Funding for the design stage comes from the Leading Idaho initiative, which allows ITD to build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to build.
A Spanish interpreter and Spanish-language materials was available at the July 20 open house. Community members can request additional materials in Spanish by calling 208-334-8002.
IDAHO FALLS- The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will begin micro-surfacing on several Idaho Falls area roads beginning Tuesday, July 25.
Micro-surfacing is a process that improves the surface of the road by sealing small cracks and surface imperfections, waterproofing the surface, and protecting the pavement structure. This will help extend the life span of the roads.
Traffic will be affected at the following roads:
South Yellowstone Highway from 65th Street to Sunnyside Road
Sunnyside Road from I-15 to South Yellowstone Highway
Broadway Avenue from Bellin Road to North Yellowstone Highway
North Yellowstone Highway from Lomax Avenue to Canal
North Holmes Avenue from North Yellowstone Highway to US-20
The roadways will be reduced to one lane in each direction from the hours of 8pm to 7am until the project is completed August 18.
Please remember to obey traffic laws, traffic signs, and construction signs.
For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.
Photo: Street view Sunnyside Rd from I-15 to South Yellowstone Hwy
Fifteen people have been killed in crashes on Idaho roads in the last 10 days, at the mid-point of the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS), Idaho State Police, and over 50 law enforcement partners across Idaho are joining forces to educate drivers and stop aggressive driving. Now through July 30, expect to see more officers on the road looking for speeding, tailgating, and other aggressive driving behaviors.
So far this year 121* people have been killed on Idaho roads. Forty-five* of those fatalities happened during the 100 Deadliest Days, which is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Idaho sees a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes. Last year 39 percent of all fatal crashes involved some form of aggressive driving behavior.
“We all want to make it home and most Idahoans make safe choices that protect themselves and others,” explained Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “It’s important that we recognize and stop the behaviors that put people at risk.”
Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react to hazards and increases the risk of crashes and injuries. It also makes it harder to maneuver around obstacles or curves and increases stopping distance. Other vehicles and pedestrians may misjudge distances when a car is speeding towards them.
“The effects of speeding are deadly,” said Middleton, “and with more drivers out and about during the summer the danger goes up for everyone on the roads.”
Examples of aggressive driving include:
Speeding
Tailgating
Driving too fast for conditions
Cutting in front of another driver and then slowing down
Failing to stop for red lights or stop signs
Failure to yield
Weaving in and out of traffic
Changing lanes without signaling
Blocking cars that are attempting to change lanes
Passing a vehicle on the wrong side of the road or on the shoulder
Screaming, honking, or flashing lights
Making hand gestures or facial expressions at other drivers
LEWISTON – Motorists should anticipate delays on U.S. Highway 12 Dike Bypass beginning Monday, July 24 as contractors are scheduled to remove railroad tracks by the levee that cross US-12. The tracks are no longer operational, and the remaining sections will therefore be removed. Work should be completed by late August.
The old tracks will be extracted at three locations:
D Street at Sonoco
East side of the Blue Bridge along Snake River Avenue to Dike Bypass Loop
Crossing on Snake River Avenue at H Street.
Parts of D Street and the section of Snake River Avenue between Main Street and the Dike Bypass (near the Blue Bridge) will be temporarily closed during construction. Traffic delays, detours and lane shifts should be anticipated during the day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all locations.
Railroad tracks, signals and gates are planned for removal on US-12 near the east of end of the Blue Bridge. The structures and track are anticipated to be dismantled during a series of night closures starting August 7 and completed by August 11 from 9 pm to 5 am to lessen the impact to the traveling public. Motorists can expect detours using Southway Bridge and/or Red Wolf Bridge.
Pedestrian detours will be in place as crews extend the sidewalk and remove curbs. Remaining gaps in the pavement will be filled and resurfaced near the Blue Bridge where the sidewalk and curb connect. These enhancements will result in improved traveling surfaces for both pedestrians and motor vehicles.
We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation during this important infrastructure improvement project.
To receive continual updates about weather-related road conditions, road work, commercial vehicle restrictions, road closures, and other travel please visit Idaho 511. Access it 24/7 on the web at http://511.idaho.gov, by downloading the free mobile app or by dialing 511 on your phone.
KASOTA – The I-84 Kasota interchange westbound ramp will be closed starting July 23 at 9 p.m. to July 28 at 6 p.m. for construction. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and are encouraged to find alternate routes.
Due to the proximity of construction equipment to the westbound off-ramp, crews will need to temporarily close the ramp while performing concrete paving operations for safety reasons.
Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for impacts to traffic from construction.
