Football fans (and Swifties) should plan a sober ride home after the Big Game

Got plans for the Big Game this weekend? The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) wants to remind football (and Taylor Swift) fans that plans aren’t complete until they include a sober ride home.

Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) data shows that during the Big Game weekend in 2022, there were 20 impaired driving crashes in Idaho and one person was killed.

“Some fans are spending a lot of energy figuring out whether Taylor Swift will make it to the big game in time,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “Don’t let your night turn into one of her songs like “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” spend some time planning how you’re getting home after the game.”

If you’re hosting a party, make sure everyone has a plan to get home safely. That might include a designated driver, calling a rideshare or cab, or offering them a safe place to stay until they are sober.

Public invited to learn about additional lane planned for eastbound I-84 near Boise

The morning commute traffic backed up on Meridian on-ramp.

The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting an online public meeting to inform the public about the design of an eastbound auxiliary lane on eastbound Interstate 84 between the Meridian Road and Eagle Road interchanges. This additional lane to enter and exit I-84 will reduce congestion between these interchanges, making it safer for drivers to access the freeway.

The online meeting is available from Feb. 13 through Feb. 28 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-84-meridian-interchange-to-eagle.

The online meeting provides the public with an opportunity to learn about design details. The project also involves necessary modifications for a two-lane eastbound on-ramp at the Meridian Interchange and a two-lane eastbound off-ramp at the Eagle Interchange. An additional right turn lane will be added to the eastbound off-ramp intersection at Eagle Road.

The comment period for the online meeting closes on Feb. 28.

For more information about the project, please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-84-meridian-interchange-to-eagle.

Idaho students can display skills in Aviation Art Contest

Idaho students age 5-18 are encouraged to demonstrate their artistic skills under the theme “Careers in Aerospace” in the annual Aviation Art Contest through the Idaho Division of Aeronautics. The contest is open now through April 5, with winners announced May 3.

Age-group winners (categories listed below) received the following awards/recognition:

First place winners:
- Invitation to ride in an airplane
- Copy of their artwork signed by our Governor
- Congratulatory letter
Second place winners:
- Receive $25 in art supplies
- Congratulatory letter

The rules are as follows:

Submit original artwork
Paper size must be 11” x 17” (Landscape orientation)
Must be two-dimensional watercolor, acrylic or oil, colored pencil, felt-tip marker, ballpoint
pen, pen and ink, and/or crayon
Must have a completed Certificate of Authenticity attached securely to the back of the piece of artwork (see link below for certificate)
No pencil, charcoal, collage, digital, or clip art

Artwork Categories by Age:
Age Group I: 5–6 years old
Age Group II: 7–9 years old
Age Group III: 10–12 years old
Age Group IV: 13–15 years old
Age Group V: 16–18 years old

Winners will also be featured in the 2025 Aviation Art Calendar

See the entry form under the “Safety & Education” tab on the Aeronautics webpage at the ITD website or this link.

Construction to improve the I-84 South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168) begins

Stormy day over the South Jerome Interchange on I-84

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is beginning construction on Feb. 12 to replace the South Jerome Interchange on I-84 (Exit 168). This multi-year project includes upgrading the current interchange, installing new traffic signals, adding a sidewalk and bike lane to the Lincoln Avenue Bridges and improving local roads.

In 2024, crews will begin improvements to Bob Barton Road, East Frontage Road North and Lincoln Avenue. Flagging is expected to occur on Bob Barton Road the week of Feb. 12 so crews can begin irrigation work, and the road will close for approximately three months starting in early March so it can be repaved. East Frontage Road North will also be closed in late February.

During the rest of 2024, crews will build temporary eastbound and westbound off-ramps, which will be used when constructing the permanent off-ramps. Work will also begin on the new bridges, the eastbound off-ramp and the westbound on-ramp.

During construction, motorists should expect:

Most work will occur Monday – Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Intermittent nighttime closures on I-84 will be necessary for bridge work, girder placement and traffic shifts.
Traffic shifts and ramp changes will occur.
Road closures will occur on Lincoln Avenue, Bob Barton Road and East Frontage Road North in March. Detours will be in place.
Speed limits will be reduced.

The South Jerome Interchange was originally built in 1966 and has reached the end of its design life. The new interchange will increase capacity and improve safety on the interchange to serve South-central Idaho for years to come.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2026. To sign up for project updates:

Visit the project website at idaho.gov/pages/sjeromeic
Call (208) 391-3735
Text ‘84JTF’ to 1-866-483-8422
Email info@jerometotwin.org

Western Construction, Inc. is the contractor for this $54.4 million project.

ID Motor Carrier Services ends HVUT filings: Carriers must file directly with IRS

A blue semi truck and two cars driving on the interstate.

Starting February 1, 2024, Idaho Motor Carrier Services will no longer accept the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Returns (HVUT) filings for forwarding to the IRS. This includes in-person locations, by mail, by drop box, or e-mail.

Instead, carriers must file directly with the IRS either by mail or online.

If filing by mail, the address is provided on the 2290 instructions. The IRS estimates 6 weeks of processing time, so please plan accordingly.

If filing online, go to the e-file providers section of the www.irs.gov website and select an IRS-approved provider from the list.

Once filing of the 2290 form is complete, the IRS will email a watermarked Schedule 1. This is the proof of HVUT filing. Federal rules require that carriers provide it when applying for vehicle registration that reflects a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.

Motor Carrier Services cannot accept the receipt-stamped or e-filed Schedule 1 if there are errors, or if it is filed for the wrong tax year. To ensure the right tax year is selected, use the online HVUT filing period tool.

If you have any questions please contact Motor Carrier Services at 208-334-8611.

Mitch Watkins joins Idaho Transportation Board as D4 Member

On Jan. 23, Governor Brad Little announced the appointment of Twin Falls businessman Mitch Watkins as the new District 4 representative to the Idaho Transportation Board, replacing Jim Kempton, who is retiring at month’s end after nearly 12 years. Watkins begins his service on Jan. 31, 2024.

Watkins will represent eight south-central Idaho counties. Watkins is the owner of Watkins Distributing Sales and Service, a full-service beverage distributor with facilities in Boise, Jerome, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, and Hayden, along with Miles City and Kalispell, Montana. He has served voluntarily in numerous state and local organizations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Washington.

“I’m excited to be serving on the Idaho Transportation Board at a pivotal time in our state’s history,” Watkins said. “We’re experiencing a period of rapid population and business growth, and we need the infrastructure to accommodate all of that increased pressure on our roads and highways. With Idaho’s challenging topography and severe weather, maintaining our roads and bridges is a never-ending task, but I’m looking forward to being part of the team that’s working to find the best solutions for the citizens of our state.”

“My business operates over 150 trucks, vans, and vehicles daily, so we know first-hand how a system of safe and well-maintained roads is necessary for our employees to get their jobs done safely and efficiently. Idaho’s economy will only grow as fast as the infrastructure develops to support it.”

Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad also looks forward to Watkins’ service:

“I look forward to working with Mitch,” said Moad. “As a businessman who has dealt with transportation issues for decades in his distributing business, he has a lot to offer and will be an invaluable asset as we tackle the daily issues that face us as Idaho continues to grow.”

The seven-member Idaho Transportation Board meets once a month to oversee the operations of the Idaho Transportation Department. The Idaho Transportation Board establishes state transportation policy and guides the planning, development and management of a transportation network that is safe, efficient and enhances Idaho’s economy and quality of life.

Lane closures expected on the Perrine Bridge beginning Sunday through Wednesday

The Idaho Transportation Department is preparing for lane closures on the Perrine Bridge beginning Sunday which are expected to remain in place until Wednesday.

“Depending on the weather, southbound traffic will be impacted first, starting Sunday morning and extending into Tuesday,” Project Manager Bruce Christensen said. “Starting Monday or Tuesday, northbound traffic will be impacted through Wednesday.”

Drivers should expect delays plan extra time to get through the construction area.

Only one lane in one direction will be closed at a time, except on Sunday, when both southbound and northbound passing lanes will be closed. Crews will repair expansion joints that allow the bridge to expand and contract with the weather.

This work is a part of ongoing maintenance to extend the life of the Perrine Bridge. Repairs are expected to continue into the spring.

Check Idaho 511 for traffic updates and visit the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/perrine-bridge-repair.

Brenda Williams recognized for chairing AASHTO’s HR Committee

ITD Chief Innovation Experience Officer and Human Resource Administrator Brenda Williams was recently recognized by AASHTO for completing her two-year term as the chair for the HR Committee. She previously served as the vice-chair for four years.

The purpose of the national HR Committee is to research, recommend, and share best practices and policy initiatives to enable the human resource functions of state transportation agencies to continuously become stronger, innovative, and more efficient.

During her time on the committee, Williams said there were a few highlights, such as creating an HR metrics report to help guide nationwide policies, processes, and best practices. Additionally, they held at least two webinars annually and increased the number of states actively participating in the committee.

“ITD is doing so many great things focused on the employees,” Williams said. “I was proud to share our best practices with other states.”

Williams will continue to serve on the AASHTO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

“It has been an honor to work with such amazing HR professionals around the country who are passionate about making the workplace better,” Williams added.

ITD shares updated plans for SH-75

The Idaho Transportation Department will host an open house on Jan. 30 about plans to improve multiple sections of State Highway 75 between Bellevue and the Broadway Run intersection south of Ketchum.

The open house will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Commons Room of the Community Campus Building at 1050 Fox Acres Road in Hailey. An online meeting will be available between Jan. 31 and Feb. 14 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh75bellevue.

Plans include widening SH-75 and improving specific intersections between McKercher Boulevard and Timber Way, and between Birch Street and Fox Acres Road. Plans also include improvements to the Gannett Road intersection and transit improvements at the Broadway Run intersection.

“We received excellent community feedback on preliminary design plans in November 2022,” Project Manager Mark Campbell said. “This meeting is an opportunity to share specific updates based on community input, detailed engineering and environmental work.”

Improvements between Bellevue and Broadway Run were approved in 2008 as a part of an environmental impact statement for SH-75 from Timmerman to Ketchum. ITD is re-evaluating improvements based on updated traffic projections, safety data and engineering.

Final design plans are expected to be completed later this year. ITD’s goal is to create shovel-ready projects that can be implemented when funding is identified.

Details about the project are available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh75bellevue.

Persons needing an interpreter or special accommodations are urged to contact 208-334-8884 or TTY/TDD users Dial 711 to use the Idaho Relay System.

Se les recomienda a las personas que necesiten un intérprete o arreglos especiales que llamen al 208-334-8496. Usuarios de TTY/TDD: Marque 711 o (800) 377-3529 para usar el sistema de Relay de Idaho.

Nine ITD snowplows hit so far this winter season

Winter weather has brought snowy driving conditions to much of Idaho. Unfortunately, the rise in snowy road conditions has also led to a sharp rise in snowplow strikes. Nine Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) plows have been hit so far this winter season. Five strikes happened over the last seven days.

Two of the most recent strikes happened this Wednesday in the Magic Valley, one on I-84 north of Twin Falls, and one on I-84 west of Wendell. Both involved a semi truck rear-ending a plow. The vehicles will be out of service for up to two weeks while they undergo repairs.

“It’s a major impact on maintenance sheds when equipment is taken out of service. We are limited on snowplows,” Jerome Foreman Brian Davidson said. “It makes it more difficult to keep roads clear.”

Another recent strike happened on Tuesday in Nampa. The plow was heading eastbound on I-84 near Karcher Road. A pickup pulling a trailer merged onto the interstate and lost control. The trailer swung out and hit the ITD vehicle’s wing plow. There was no lasting damage to the snowplow.

ITD wants to remind drivers how to be safe around snowplows.

Do not pass a plow on the right. Plows have a 10-foot extendable wing plow on the right side that may be difficult to see in snowy conditions.
Provide ample space for plows to work and steer clear of their blind spots. This also means increasing your following distance behind the plow.
Practice patience and stay behind the plow for the safest road conditions.
Plows often operate in pairs to clear multiple lanes; never position yourself between tandem plows.
In case of a crash or if you need to stop on the side of the road, stay inside your vehicle for both your safety and that of our plow operators.

Last winter, there were 17 plow strikes, a number ITD does not want to repeat. Please be careful driving and mindful of our plows. Check 511.idaho.gov or the Idaho 511 App for road conditions before traveling. For more winter driving tips, visit itd.idaho.gov/travel.

*For real-time updates and photos of plow strikes, visit ITD’s Facebook or X pages.