Expect on- and off- ramp closure through Friday
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Lane closure tonight on US-12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge
Motorists can expect traffic on U.S. Highway 12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge to be reduced to one lane tonight at 7 p.m. while crews pour concrete for the new deck. Flaggers will allow traffic to take turns crossing the bridge until work is complete mid-morning tomorrow. Delays should be a maximum of 15 minutes.
Drivers should plan for similar delays next week when concrete will be poured for the opposing lane on the nights of May 15 and May 22. Each pour will take several hours to set, and the work is expected to go into the mid-morning hours.
Bridge construction will conclude by the end this year. The new bridge will enhance safety by providing wider lanes, wider shoulders for bicyclists and wider sidewalks for pedestrians. Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov, dialing 5-1-1 or downloading the app.
ITD to host open house on US-30 (Gould Street) in Pocatello
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites the public to an open house on Tuesday to comment on proposed improvements to make U.S. Highway 30 safer and address growing traffic in Pocatello.
Improvements are planned for US-30 between the intersections of Yellowstone Avenue and Oak Street and the Gould Street overpass and Garrett Way.
The open house will be from 5-7 p.m. at the Pocatello Streets Department Office at 2405 Garrett Way.
In 2018, ITD completed a study to analyze safety issues, traffic, geometrics, and community needs. Extensive traffic analyses, stakeholder meetings, and steering committee meetings were conducted as part of the study. The results of the study identified significant corridor improvements. In 2023, design began on the improvements, which address:
- Intersection operation and safety at Yellowstone Ave, McKinley Ave, and Garrett Way.
- An additional turn lane from Gould Street onto Garrett Way to improve signal operations and mobility through the corridor.
- Accesses safety
- Corridor-wide pedestrian facilities
- Stormwater collection
- Corridor-wide landscaping
Construction is scheduled for 2027.
“This is an important project for the traveling public in Pocatello,” Project Manager Kevin Sonico said. “These improvements will address the growth in the area and improve safety by addressing lane utilization issues and capacity issues in the corridor. People can stop by any time on Tuesday to learn more about the project and ask questions.”
For those who cannot attend the public meeting on May 7, ITD will post meeting displays on the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us-30-yellowstone-to-garrett-way. Comments will be received until June 5 and can be submitted at the meeting, online or by emailing agumm@jub.com.
ITD Geologists conducting exploratory drilling along SH-33
The Idaho Transportation Department is conducting exploratory drilling on State Highway 33 near the Wyoming state line Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1. This section of the road is beginning to slide and the guardrail tip to the side. Geologists and materials crews are taking samples to get information on the cause and to install instrumentation for slide monitoring. No lane closures are in effect as a result of the drilling operation.
The samples collected from drilling will help ITD specialists know what is causing the road to slide, how far down it goes, and how fast it’s occurring. There are natural springs in this vicinity and around SH-33.
Instruments will also be placed in the ground to remain there so ITD can monitor movement. With data collected from drilling, work to ensure the needs of this section of road will be planned and executed in coming months.
Motorists are cautioned to be particularly aware of working crews, slow down, and move over when passing equipment.
Riders invited to Motorcycle Awareness Rally on May 4
It is that time of year again! The time when more motorcyclists are out on Idaho roads. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and to mark the occasion the Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety (ICMS) is hosting a Motorcycle Awareness Rally on May 4.
Motorcycle riders are invited to join ICMS, the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS), and partners for the event on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Sandy Point in Lucky Peak State Park, 9723 ID-21, Boise, ID 83716. Motorcyclists can meet in the park starting at 10 a.m. An escorted ride from Sandy Point to the Idaho State Capitol starts at 1 p.m. Following the ride, the Christian Motorcycle Association is hosting a barbeque at Ann Morrison Park, 1000 S Americana Blvd, Boise, ID 83706.
“We want to remind the drivers out there that they are sharing the road with motorcyclists, who are more exposed than people in cars. Looking twice for motorcycles can save someone’s life,” explained ICMS rally organizer Lane Triplett.
According to OHS data, in 2022 there were 529 motorcycle-related crashes, and 29 motorcyclists were killed. Most fatalities that year were clustered in the months of June, July, and August. Drivers can help protect motorcyclists by:
- Checking your blind spots. Motorcycles are small compared to other vehicles, so don’t rely on mirrors alone.
- Always use your turn signals. Signaling helps motorcyclists anticipate traffic flow.
- Look twice. Sun and rain glare can make motorcycles hard to see. Snow, rain, and fog can obscure your vision too. Always check twice for bikes.
Motorcyclists can protect themselves in the following ways:
- Wear brightly colored, reflective clothing.
- Ride with headlights on.
- Establish lane positions that increase visibility – don’t ride in blind spots.
- Enhance your skills. Idaho STAR (Skills Training Advantage for Riders) has classes across the state and for all experience levels.
ITD and Idaho Parks and Rec team up to improve safety on SH-5 near Heyburn State Park
Starting next week crews will begin removing hazard trees along a 5-mile stretch of State Highway 5 near Heyburn State Park. Work will begin near Hillwood Lane and move west to Chatcolet Road over the course of four to five weeks with the highway reduced to one lane during the day in the work zone.
While the tree clearing operation is underway, ITD will provide flaggers and a pilot car to safely guide traffic through the work zone.
Work will occur on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will take a scheduled break on May 23, 24 and 28 to avoid slowing down increased traffic surrounding Memorial Weekend.
“Any tree within reach of the highway that is compromised, whether due to its health or stability, is considered a hazard due to the potential of falling onto traffic,” Project Manager James Dorman said.
To complete this work, ITD is collaborating with the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department who is working with foresters and a local contractor to identify potentially hazardous trees for removal.
“Idaho Parks and Recreation is excited for this partnership and the opportunity to focus on safety for Idaho’s drivers and recreators alike,” stated Parks Public Information Officer Craig Quintana. “The trees that have been identified for removal are on Heyburn State Park property, but the safety concern involves ITD right of way.”
Drivers should plan ahead for delays and use the Idaho 511 system for updates.
Final push to complete construction of two I-90 overpasses in Kellogg
Next week the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will start the final construction tasks to improve safety on I-90 at the Division Street and Elizabeth Park Road overpasses.
Crews will remove the temporary pavement that was placed in 2022 and finish the driving surface for the eastbound bridges. They will also address drainage on the westbound bridge over Division Street.
Construction is anticipated to start April 29, at which time traffic on I-90 will be restricted to one lane in each direction and crossed over the westbound lanes for up to two months. No impacts are expected for Division Street or Elizabeth Park Road.
In the past two years, crews have replaced the eastbound and westbound bridges, widened the eastbound on-ramp at Division Street, and repaved both Division Street and Elizabeth Park Road under the overpasses.
Additionally, improvements to the eastbound bridge over Pine Creek in Pinehurst are anticipated to start in late May. I-90 will be reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately one month as crews remove and replace the concrete surface.
Speed limits for both construction zones will be reduced to 55 mph for the safety of drivers and workers.
Visit 511.idaho.gov or download the app for statewide traffic information.
Full road closure near Boise Town Square beginning April 26
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), in conjunction with Ada County Highway District and the Boise Valley Railroad, will close Milwaukee Street from Westpark Street to Franklin Road April 26 through April 29. The full closure is necessary to replace the railroad crossing in the area.
The Milwaukee crossing was installed in 2006, and the last major maintenance of the crossing surface was completed more than ten years ago. This construction will bring the railroad crossing level with the roadway, creating a smoother driving experience for the traveling public.
“There are two trains that use these tracks every day, and they are vital for Idaho’s commerce. In order to replace the crossing quickly, a full closure is needed,” said Blaine Schwendiman, the Rail-Highway Crossing Manager for ITD.
Drivers will still be able to access businesses during the closure.
Idaho Truck Driving Championships May 3-4 in Meridian
Do you have what it takes to be a truck driving champion? The Idaho Trucking Association (ITA) is hosting The Idaho Truck Driving Championships (TDC) on May 3 and 4 at the Idaho State Police Training Facility (POST), 700 S. Stratford, Meridian, ID 83642.
Drivers compete for the top positions in Idaho and for the right to compete at the National Truck Driving Championship that will be held in Indianapolis in August.
The TDC is a family-friendly event. The ITA encourages drivers’ families to attend and watch the competition from designated viewing areas.
For registration and full contest information, visit the ITA website.
ITD resumes repaving US-95 in Owyhee County
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will resume repaving on U.S. Highway 95 between the Port of Entry and its junction with State Highway 55 west of Marsing. Work will improve and extend the life of the roadway. Construction will begin Monday and is expected to finish this summer.
During construction motorists can expect:
- One lane open at all times.
- Daytime and nighttime work.
- A temporary signal or a pilot car guiding traffic through the construction zone.
- Wait times of around 15 minutes.
- Speed limit reductions to 55 mph.
- Width restrictions in place.
ITD began construction on US-95 in July 2023 and completed repaving from the Oregon state line to the Port of Entry. As a part of the project, ITD also:
- Installed new curbing and guardrails.
- Updated signage and road striping.
Those who are interested in learning more about the project are invited to sign up for email updates by visiting itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/95repaving.
