Fuel Services Now Available in Elk City

ELK CITY– Fuel is once again available for purchase in Elk City.

Signs in Grangeville and Darby that were placed in April notifying motorists about the lack of fuel services in Elk City will be removed.

To get 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 511.idaho.gov, by downloading the free mobile app or by dialing 511 on your phone.

Bridge repairs underway on US-20 in Idaho Falls

Bridge repairs are underway on U.S. Highway 20 in Idaho Falls at the bridge over Riverside Drive.

Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane for approximately one week while crews repair the expansion joints.

The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph.

The lane closure will remain in effect even when crews are not on site to allow the new concrete to cure.

More extensive repairs to the bridge are needed and planned for later this summer.

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

Star Road closure planned as part of US-20/26 construction to start in June

BOISE — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will temporarily close Star Road in June as part of ongoing construction on U.S. Highway 20/26, (Chinden West), weather permitting. Work will include paving and intersection improvements and requires two separate closures.

In early June, Star Road between US-20/26 and State Highway 44 (SH-44) will be closed for approximately one week. The road will only be open to local traffic and emergency service responders (police, fire, and paramedics). Signage will direct motorists to use State Highway 16 (SH-16) between US-20/26 and SH-44 instead of Star Road.

In mid-June, a southbound detour will be in place between US-20/26 and McMillan Road with all work anticipated to be complete in early July. Again, the road will only be open to local traffic and emergency responders. Signage will direct motorists to use Can Ada Road and McMillan Road instead of Star Road.

Drivers should pay attention to all posted signs and message boards near this work zone.

For more information on ITD’s work to improve US-20/26 between I-84 in Caldwell and Eagle Road in Meridian please visit the project website at itdprojects.org/projects/chindenwest

I-84 westbound off-ramp at Franklin Road/US-20/26 (Exit 29) to close in early June

Beginning in early June, the westbound Interstate 84 off-ramp at Franklin Road (Exit 29) in Caldwell will temporarily close, weather permitting. Traffic will be detoured to the 10th Street exit and back onto US-20/26 by way of I-84.

This closure will allow construction crews to safely expedite reconstruction of the westbound off-ramp to reduce impacts to the traveling public and businesses later in the project.

A signed route will guide motorists through the detour and back onto US-20/26 by way of I-84 during the closure, which is anticipated to be in place until late July.

Please slow down, pay attention, and watch for posted signs and crews in the work zone.

Work on US-20/26 between I-84 and Middleton Road will continue through 2024.

To learn more about the project and sign up for construction updates, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/chindenwest or call 208.608.6635.

Now entering the 100 Deadliest Days on Idaho Roads

This upcoming holiday weekend marks the beginning of a dangerous time for Idaho drivers- the 100 Deadliest Days. The 100 Deadliest Days are the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Idaho sees a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) want to caution drivers to be extra vigilant and careful as they head out for summer travel and recreation.

“We want everyone to have an amazing summer making great memories with their family and friends,” said OHS Program Manager Josephine Middleton, “So we are asking everyone to put down the distractions, drive the speed limit, wear a seatbelt and plan a sober ride home if you are drinking, so we can all make it home safely.”

A variety of factors converge to make this a dangerous time on Idaho roads. During the summer more people are out of school or work, taking vacations, recreating, and celebrating. These social factors lead to higher instances of distracted driving, aggressive driving, and impaired driving, making the roads more dangerous for everyone, even safe drivers who are doing everything right. We drive safe vehicles that come with technology and safety equipment as standard, yet the data shows that fatal and serious injury crashes increase during this time of year.

During the 100 Deadliest Days last year, there were 72 fatal crashes, and 80 people died. So far in 2023, 75* people have died in traffic crashes on Idaho roads, and we are on track to meet the fatality numbers for 2021 which was our worst year since 2005. The year-to-date total from the same time last year was 52 fatalities.
*Preliminary data

US-2 construction begins next Tuesday in Sandpoint

Construction will begin Tuesday, May 30, in Sandpoint to widen U.S. Highway 2 south of its interchange with U.S. Highway 95.

Crews will build another lane for southbound traffic between the interchange and the visitor center.

“Adding another lane will make the highway four lanes and consistent with other sections, removing the bottleneck drivers currently experience,” Project Manager Erica Aamodt said.

The project will also increase the clearance underneath the railroad bridge so that taller loads may pass underneath.

“US-2 serves as an alternate route for US-95, so increasing the clearance to the current standard of 17 feet will allow a greater range of commercial vehicles to pass through without difficulty,” Aamodt said.

Work will take until mid-November to complete. Drivers will be able to pass through the work zone with one lane in each direction but should still plan for congestion.

Drivers can download the 511 app or check 511.idaho.gov to stay ahead of traffic impacts on state highways and interstates.

US-95/12 Aht’Wy Interchange in First Construction Phase

The Aht’Wy Interchange project on US-95/12 which is near the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge RV Park is currently in its earliest construction stages. After a well-attended groundbreaking ceremony this past April, contractors are getting started and motorists can expect some changes in traffic patterns.

The initial stage will consist of work in the median area to construct crossovers to facilitate traffic needed for future stages. Once this work is complete, the contractor will make changes to the traffic patterns and reconstruct the northbound lanes. During these initial stages, travelers can expect single lanes in each direction. Please drive safe and be mindful of construction workers and equipment working close to the roadway.

The new diamond-shaped interchange will replace current at-grade intersection with an overpass to access the plaza, on the east entrance. This includes additions of deceleration and acceleration ramps for eastbound traffic. As for additional infrastructure, a broadband conduit and pedestrian walkway will be included in the construction.

Download renderings of the design of the interchange.

Updates on the Aht’Wy Interchange Project can be found by visiting https://itdprojects.org/projects/ahtwyinterchange/

Deadly crashes go up during summer months

WHAT: Wrecked vehicle on display to raise awareness about the 100 deadliest days
WHO: Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar, Boise Police Cpl. Kyle Wills, Caldwell Police officer Tom DeFur, ITD, AAA
WHEN: Friday, May 19th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Boise Towne Square Mall, 350 N Milwaukee St, Boise, ID 83704, Media please use the main entrance

BOISE– Every year during the months of June, July, and August there is an increase in the number of car crashes that unfortunately result in death or injury. These months are known as the “100 deadliest days” and Boise Police, Caldwell Police, the Idaho Transportation Department, AAA and the Boise Towne Square Mall are teaming up to remind drivers to stay safe this summer.

On Friday, May 19th, these agencies will use a wrecked vehicle from an aggressive driving crash on display at the Boise Towne Square Mall as a reminder to slow down, limit distractions and focus on driving.

“With so many options available to distract us when we’re driving, we hope that this display of a wrecked vehicle will give drivers the motivation to put down the distractions and just drive the speed limit,“ said Boise Police Cpl. Kyle Wills.

According to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), there were 72 fatal crashes across Idaho last summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. So far this year, 71* people have died on Idaho roads. Six* of those fatalities happened in the last week alone. The year-to-date total from the same time last year was 52 fatalities.

“That’s 71 tragedies for families, friends and communities across Idaho,” said Josephine Middleton, Highway Safety Program Manager with ITD. “As we head into the 100 Deadliest Days and the rest of the year let’s focus on protecting each other on the roads by stopping the behaviors that contribute to traffic crashes.”

ITD data shows that 15% of all fatal crashes are distracted-driving related. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Speed is also a significant factor in many crashes. Speeding, which includes exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is considered aggressive driving. According to ITD, 35% of all fatal crashes are aggressive-driver related. Other aggressive driving behaviors include following too closely, weaving, and failure to yield or stop at a sign or signal.

“Safe driving is also sober driving, and you can’t drive anywhere safely if you’re impaired. With 37% of all fatal crashes involving an impaired driver, we urge you to get a designated driver or use ride-sharing services if you plan to drink” said Wills.

It’s illegal everywhere in America to drive under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, opioids, methamphetamines, or any potentially impairing drug–prescribed or over the counter.

At Friday’s media event, Caldwell Police officer Tom Defur will share his own personal story to remind drivers about the importance of safe driving.

Media interested in attending the event can contact:
Ellen Mattila
ITD Public Information Officer
(208) 832-8776
ellen.mattila@itd.idaho.gov

Safety project starts Monday on US-95 near McArthur Lake

On Monday, May 22, construction will start on U.S. Highway 95 near McArthur Lake to reconstruct the highway and adjust sharp curves.

Plans call for one mile of US-95 to be realigned to soften curves and for the small box culvert to be replaced with a longer bridge. The south end of the bridge will be shifted to the east approximately 50 feet, and crews will remove dirt and other material from underneath the bridge to provide better clearance for wildlife passage.

Additionally, more than one-half mile on each side of the highway will be fenced to help funnel wildlife to the bridge for a safe crossing within the project limits.

“In this half-mile stretch of highway, 51 wildlife mortalities have been documented in the past decade, with many more going unreported,” said Norm Merz, the Regional Wildlife Habitat Manager with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. “The replacement of the box culvert with a bridge and funnel fencing will allow wildlife to access habitat on both sides of the highway while reducing the risk of auto-wildlife collisions.”

Safety improvements will take two years to complete. For the first month, flaggers will intermittently stop traffic on US-95 as crews remove the part of the existing highway. The contractor will also begin building a temporary two-lane road around the work zone to allow traffic to flow smoothly until construction is finished in the fall of 2024.

Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan ahead for any delays from work zones.

US-30 Heyburn Bridge repair resumes

SHOSHONE – Construction work resumed today on US-30 Heyburn Bridge over the Snake River. The epoxy overlay repair is expected to be completed by early June. Motorists can expect lane restrictions during construction and are advised to slow down.

ITD, Idaho State Police, and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.