The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Idaho Department of Education are working together to kick off the first ever annual ‘Name a Snowplow’ contest. Other states and highway departments across the country conduct similar campaigns with great success.
Starting October 1, eighth grade students across Idaho are invited to participate with their classrooms to submit a name. Contest entries will be accepted through the month of October with winning names announced by 2025.
“Our snowplow drivers are very thankful to schools that are able to join this fun educational opportunity and help increase winter driving safety awareness!” ITD Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Director Dan McElhinney said.
Two plows in each of six Idaho regions will be selected through voting by ITD employees. Winning names will be displayed directly on ITD plows, with winners awarded a visit to their school by that plow and driver to talk about winter safety. News media will also be invited to attend plow naming events.
This contest is a partnership between ITD and the Idaho Department of Education for teachers in eighth grade classrooms to opt in, with the hopes of sharing winter driving safety messages as this age group will soon be in driver’s education classes. Another goal of adding unique names on plows is to cause all drivers to take a second look and be patient when driving through the winter.
“This contest is such a fun way to engage students with a safety message that’s essential to our young drivers, especially as the weather cools and winter approaches,” Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield said. “I’m grateful for the partnership with the Idaho Transportation Department and am definitely looking forward to seeing some student-named plows on the road this winter.”
More information regarding the contest winners and plow naming events will be released once the submission and voting deadlines have passed.
U.S. Highway 20 Exit 332 for University Boulevard in Rexburg will fully close starting Monday, September 30, for crews to complete final paving and striping operations. Work is not expected to take more than a few days, and the exit will be re-opened as soon as it is completed.
This closure was purposefully scheduled during Madison School District’s harvest break to least affect traffic. Detours include Exit 328 (Thornton), Exit 333 (Main Street) and Exit 337 (North Rexburg). After re-opening next week, construction work at Exit 332 will be minimal and off the roadway.
Construction does continue at Exit 333, with one lane running in each direction. These projects to create safe and efficient diverging diamond interchanges at both Rexburg exits are still expected to be complete later this fall.
For more information about this project, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg. Drivers can also use the 511 app to see current status on this and other Idaho projects.
The Idaho Transportation Department is beginning construction of an interchange at State Highway 53 and Pleasant View Road in early October. The project will enhance safety in this highly traveled corridor by ultimately eliminating three railroad/vehicle crossings, streamlining access to SH-53, and increasing capacity on key routes. Work will include these primary improvements:
Constructing a diamond interchange at SH-53 and Pleasant View Road.
Removing access to SH-53 from four roads: Hauser Lake Road, Hollister Hills Road, Prairie Avenue, and McGuire Road.
Expanding Pleasant View Road to two lanes in each direction through the interchange.
Widening SH-53 to two lanes in each direction with a new center median through the project limits.
Crews will start construction with tasks that likely won’t affect existing traffic flow for the remainder of the year. Impacts to drivers are anticipated to start in spring 2025.
This project was first identified in 2006 as part of the Bridging the Valley Study. The BTV’s goal was to improve safety by separating vehicle and train traffic in the 42-mile corridor between Spokane, Washington, and Athol, Idaho. The final design was completed in 2015 with input from interested parties and the community.
In mid-2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration awarded ITD a grant which made construction of this project possible now, rather than years in the future. The grant program was created to improve safety at rail crossings in communities across the country to save lives, time, and resources for American families.
“Communities along SH-53 are regularly impacted by noise and blocked traffic as trains move through this area,” said Project Manager James Dorman. “This project will minimize conflict points and streamline traffic by bringing them safely through the Pleasant View Road interchange.”
Additional financial contributions were made by ITD’s partnering organizations: BNSF Railway and the Post Falls Highway District. The estimated construction cost of this project is $30 million.
People are encouraged to stay informed by visiting the project website and subscribing to emails at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh53corridor. For statewide traffic information, visit 511.idaho.gov or download the app.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will install a new traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 and State Highway 25 in Jerome. Construction is anticipated to begin this fall, in conjunction with work at US-93 and 300 South.
ITD has been conducting engineering analysis on this intersection for several years to determine the need for a traffic signal to ensure safe traffic mobility. Based on traffic volumes, ITD is preparing to install a signal. Electrical conduit and components were installed at this intersection during a past project to aid in future construction.
Historically, signal components have been on backorder so a completion date for the installation has not been identified but ITD anticipates beginning construction this fall with a final completion in the spring.
Starting Monday, roadside construction will commence on U.S. Highway 95 between Riggins and the Time Zone Bridge to reduce the chance of rockfall. Workers will knock down insecure rocks and install rock anchors to stabilize the hillside above US-95.
Travelers can expect intermittent delays of up to 20 minutes while overhead debris is removed and anchors are installed. The travel lane width may be restricted in the work zone and slower speeds are encouraged for safety. Construction is slated to conclude through November.
Rockfall mitigation efforts remain a priority in this region because of the complex geology. This work will significantly increase safety by reducing the risk of future rock falls and prevent damage to the roadway.
The cost for the project is just over $1.6 million.
Live traffic impacts across the region from this project and others including construction near Whitebird can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.
Here are some tips for your pre-clearance devices that may help you legally bypass the port.
Using your license plate for pre-clearance
Idaho weigh-in-motion stations are equipped with License Plate Readers (LPR) that read a vehicles plate number to then determine compliance based on all credentials and safety data that is linked to that plate number. This technology allows commercial vehicles to be screened without the need of a transponder.
The information listed below will help ensure that your license plate is read correctly when going through one of the locations.
Mount the plate in accordance of Idaho statue 49-428:
Every license plate shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle to which it is assigned to prevent the plate from swinging, be at a height not less than twelve (12) inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate, be in a place and position to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible, and all registration stickers shall be securely attached to the license plates and shall be displayed as provided in section 49-443(4), Idaho Code.
Ensure front-end safety equipment and license plate holders are not obscuring your license plate.
Bent and or distorted plates should be straightened out or replaced.
LPR camera cannot read a partially covered plate.
Using your transponder for pre-clearance
Your transponder should be placed in the top, center of your windshield where a rear-view mirror would be in a car, below any metal visors that could block the signal.
If you update your registration or any other vehicle information, you need to contact your transponder provider to keep your information up to date.
Washington administers the transponder program and database. Contact the Washington Service Center at (888) 877-8567 or visit the Washington DOT website.
If you are still having trouble gaining pre-clearance with your transponder, come into the port office to have one of our inspectors run a report to find out exactly WHY you are being pulled in.
ITD’s Office of Communication received two national awards from AASHTO’s Committee on Transportation Communications (TransComm) today (September 24) at their annual meeting in Atlanta. AASHTO is the nation’s premiere transportation governing body.
Idaho won an award for “Best Use of a Single Social Media Platform” in recognition of phenomenal growth within the Instagram account – a 200% increase this year. The social media accounts are managed by Josie Bisgard, with input from each of the district PIOs around the state. The department also has Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube accounts.
ITD also won in the Writing category for “Article with DOT Byline” for a piece from Mark Pfeifer detailing how the Powell crew in north-central Idaho helped rescue an injured woman who’d fallen 200 feet down an embankment into Weir Creek. View that article.
“It is so gratifying to receive this national recognition and be able to highlight some of the amazing work our communication team does each and every day,” said Office of Communication Manager John Tomlinson. “I am so proud of our entire staff!”
Beginning tomorrow the Idaho Transportation Department will repair a wildlife underpass on U.S. Highway 30 near Fish Creek Summit. Work will consist of patching the bridge deck.
During construction traffic for both the eastbound and westbound lanes will be restricted to single lanes. Work should be completed in about a month.
Motorists are encouraged to visit 511.idaho.gov or use the 511 app to keep track of delays.
Flying cheerios, missing socks— backseat riders can get a little out of control. One thing you can control is your child’s safety. It’s National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15-21) and a great time to make sure your child’s car seat fits. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has partnered with organizations around the state for National Seat Check Saturday on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found that while most parents and caregivers believe they know how to properly install their car seats, about half (48%) have installed their child’s car seat incorrectly. An appointment with a professional Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician can go a long way in protecting kids and giving parents peace of mind.
“CPS technicians undergo extensive training,” says Tabitha Smith, Program Manager for Occupant Protection in Idaho and former CPS Technician. “It’s not something that’s taught in a couple-hour class. It’s three to four days long. So when we send people to technicians, they truly know what they’re talking about.”
This week in Idaho there are many free seat check events coming up on Seat Check Saturday and beyond:
North Idaho
Agency
City
Address
Date
Time
Safe Start /St. Mary’s Health
Cottonwood
701 Lewiston St, Cottonwood, ID 83522
9/19/2024
1 pm to 4 pm
Southwest Idaho
Agency
City
Address
Date
Time
Thrive Pediatrics Pinnacle Clinic
Meridian
1435 E. Phenomenal St.
Meridian, ID 83642
9/28/24
9 am to 1 pm
Kuna Fire
Kuna
150 W Boise St, Kuna, ID 83634
9/21/2024
10 am to 4
Mountain Home Air Force Base
Mountain Home
355 Alpine St, Mountain Home AFB, ID 83648
9/21/2024
Call for Appointment
208-828-7349
St. Luke’s
Meridian
500 S Eagle Rd.
Meridian, 83642
9/21/24
10 am to 2 pm
Emmett Fire
Emmett
231 S Washington Ave, Emmett, ID 83617
9/21/2024
9 am to 12 pm
McCall Fire
McCall
201 Deinhard Ln, McCall, ID 83638
9/21/2024
9 am 2 pm
East Idaho
Agency
City
Address
Date
Time
Oneida – Nell Redfield Hospital
Malad City
150 200 W, Malad City, ID 83252
9/20/2024
10 am
Caribou County Sheriff
Soda Springs
475 E 2nd S, Soda Springs, ID 83276
9/21/2024
11 am
Blackfoot PD
Blackfoot PD
501 N Maple St #410, Blackfoot, ID 83221
9/21/2024
11 am
Grease Monkey Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls
2100 Channing Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83404
9/28/2024
10 am to 2 pm
Teton Valley Health
Driggs
120 E Howard Ave, Driggs, ID 83422
9/28/2024
9 am to noon
At these seat check events, certified child passenger safety technicians will check if a car seat is the right type for a child’s age and size, check that it fits correctly, and that it is properly installed in the vehicle.
The Idaho Transportation Department will reopen State Highway 21 between Lowman and Stanley at 8 a.m. on Friday. Traffic will be managed with a pilot car or flagging operation to safely guide vehicles through areas where crews are working on repairs.
ITD crews continue to work alongside emergency contractors to address the significant damage caused by the Wapiti Fire. This work includes clearing ditches, hauling materials to rebuild eroded hillsides, removing hundreds of hazardous trees, and replacing damaged guardrails. Once completed, steel guardrails that meet new modern standards will replace the burnt wooden rails.
Drivers are advised to avoid unnecessary trips and reminded not to stop along the highway, especially in the burn areas. Those traveling through the affected area should expect:
Traffic guided by a pilot car or flaggers during active work.
A temporary reduced speed limit of 45 mph.
Significant delays when crews are working on the highway.
Repair work continuing until weather conditions make further progress impossible.
The recent rain in the area has helped suppress the fire but has also caused slides and boulders to fall onto the highway. Due to the evolving conditions created by the wildfire, ITD advises drivers to always check 511.idaho.gov before heading out.
