SH-21 to close tonight north and south of Lowman for avalanche risk, drifting

Barricades up to close SH-21 at milepost 48 in November of 2022

The Idaho Transportation Department will close State Highway 21 north and south of Lowman tonight at 6 p.m. as a major storm system brings heavy snow, high winds and avalanche danger to the region.

The highway frequently closes between Lowman and Stanley from Grandjean to Banner Summit, but another section will also close south of Lowman from milepost 70 to milepost 48 near Idaho City.

“This storm could deliver up to two feet of fresh snow, and with wind gusts near 25 miles per hour, we are expecting next to no visibility and drifting, making it too dangerous to travel,” Field Operations Manager Eric Copeland said. “For those reasons, we are closing both sections of SH-21 this time.”

Based on forecasted weather, the highway could reopen sometime on Saturday, March 11. Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov and ITD’s Twitter account for updates before traveling.

ITD Highlights the Trailblazing Women in Construction

This week is Women in Construction Week, which celebrates the vital role women play in the construction industry.

Throughout the week, ITD will highlight several employees who strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry on our social media pages.

We asked several employees to answer questions and give advice to young women entering the field.

Carrie Ann: Technical Engineer Services Leader

How did you get started in the construction/transportation industry?
I grew up just outside of Milwaukee. There was ALWAYS new construction going on and it was a thing between me and my dad as we’d be driving, “Whoa, check that out on your right! Look at the size of that crane!” There was always something new to gawk at. “What do you think they’re doing there with that “tic-tac-toe” looking thing?”, which ended up being geogrid. When we’d travel, we’d notice different things like the wildlife overpass crossings in Canada or the overpass restaurants over the interstate in Illinois. We even traveled down to Chicago once to watch a building implosion on a Saturday morning.

What do you like most about being in the construction/transportation industry?
I like the transformation of things. You can literally move mountains. It’s so amazing seeing some of these projects once they’re complete and it’s amazing to be a part of that.

What advice do you have for young women entering the industry?
Have confidence in yourself. Unfortunately, you may have to prove yourself at times more than a man would, but accept the challenge, show that you know your stuff, and don’t give up. I think things are getting better, but unfortunately some prejudice still does exist.

Jessika: Workforce Development Manager

How did you get started in the construction/transportation industry?
I started on a highway construction crew as an Engineer Technician I with Nevada Department of Transportation

What do you like most about being in the construction/transportation industry?
I love that I am a part of improving people’s lives every day.

What advice do you have for young women entering the industry?
No job is a ‘man’s job’.

Megan: Design Construct Residency A

How did you get started in the construction/transportation industry?
It was a bit of an accident – I have a degree in mechanical engineering, but jobs in mechanical engineering are few and far between unless you want to live in a big city, which I didn’t. While looking for local jobs I came across one at ITD and decided to see what it was like. I decided I liked the people and environment, ITD decided to take a chance on me, and the rest is history.

What do you like most about being in the construction/transportation industry?
Being able to have a positive impact on the community. I’m still blown away by the fact that the projects I work on will have impacts that last for decades.

What advice do you have for young women entering the industry?
There is so much information to learn and so many things to keep track of when working in transportation. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but just remember to take a deep breath and to ask for help when you need it.

Taylor: Grants & Contracts Officer

How did you get started in the construction/transportation industry?
I first started in the transportation industry as a temporary employee in the Division of Motor Vehicles at the Idaho Transportation Department. I sought out this opportunity after meeting previous ITD employees through a 1 credit weekend workshop class at Boise State University. After graduating and working as a temp for 2 months, I received a full-time position and have worked my way up in the department since.

What do you like most about being in the construction/transportation industry?
I really enjoy working in the transportation industry because every day is different. The logistics of moving people, products, etc. is never boring or underwhelming and no two days are the same. New challenges present themselves regularly and individuals in the transportation/ construction industry work together to collaborate and innovate on solutions.

What advice do you have for young women entering the industry?
Lean into learning as much as you can and try to look at every new challenge as an opportunity for growth and development. Come in confident, with a positive attitude and be willing to learn. Everything else will fall into place as it is meant to.

*Photo of the first female foreman at ITD, Shannon Thornton.*

We also want to highlight Shannon Thornton (above) who will retire on March 15 after about 28 years on the job in North Idaho. She is the only female maintenance foreman currently at ITD, and is believed to be the only one in agency history.

Thank you to all ITD employees who strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry!

Follow this campaign on our Instagram and Facebook throughout the week.

Second construction season begins this month on I-90/SH-41 Interchange

Drone shot of the work zone in February 2023

The second season of construction will resume this month at the I-90 and State Highway 41 Interchange, which is funded by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.

Work this spring will primarily cause nighttime closures on I-90 and SH-41 as weather allows. Nighttime lane closures on I-90 will begin tonight, and in late March SH-41 will be closed for several nights as construction of a temporary bridge on I-90 over the highway progresses. Drivers should pay attention to signage in the work zone for exact timing of impacts.

“Everything we do is dependent on the weather particularly in these next few months,” Project Manager Shannon Stein said. “This work zone is complex, with crews planning to work on several areas of the interchange at the same time.”

Bridge construction will be the main focus of the 2023 season. Crews will work on a temporary bridge on I-90 over SH-41 to maintain traffic flow during construction as well as three permanent structures for eastbound I-90. Later this year crews will also begin building the three permanent bridges for westbound I-90.

“Unlike last year though drivers will see construction shift to other areas of the project, including the Seltice Way/SH-41 intersection and near Central Avenue to work on the future underpass for pedestrians,” Stein said.

View graphic of the 2023 construction season.

Impacts to traffic will be similar to last year and are as follows:

Two lanes will be open during the day with reduced shoulders on I-90.
The speed limit will be lowered to 55 mph on I-90 and 25 mph on SH-41 and Seltice Way.
Intermittent lane restrictions on I-90 at night. Nighttime work hours are generally from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Work will start at 10 p.m. during special events.

The best way to stay informed is to sign up for email updates by visiting itdprojects.org/i90sh41ic or by calling 208-738-4190. Live traffic impacts can also be found at 511.idaho.gov.

To learn about the future interchange and how it will function, watch this video.

The Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds through Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative allowed this $78 million interchange reconstruction project to begin one year earlier than expected. This program has allowed ITD to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today across the state that would otherwise have taken many years to fund and build.

House Bill 9 expands online driver’s license renewal to commercial drivers

BOISE– The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will soon expand online license renewals, thanks to the passage of House Bill 9. Consistent with Governor Little’s Red Tape Reduction Act, the legislation allows people to renew an Idaho Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) online if eligible, an option already available for many non-CDL drivers.

“Now all licensed Idahoans can Skip the Trip to the DMV,” said DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan. “Online license renewals are quick and easy, so it just makes sense to extend that convenience to Idaho’s commercial drivers. This is another example of ITD enhancing the quality of life through transportation and supporting mobility and economic opportunity for Idahoans!”

This change will improve customer convenience by assisting the trucking industry in the efficient credentialing of its drivers.

“Folks who work in trucking know time is money, so any time we can save in the license renewal process is valuable to commercial drivers,” said DMV Commercial Vehicle Services Manager Craig Roberts.

The DMV will begin implementing online CDL renewals on July 1, 2023.

DMV.idaho.gov is a one-stop-shop for everything DMV. There are over a dozen transactions that can be completed online, from change of address to registration renewals. Skip the Trip, save time, and go online to DMV.idaho.gov.

First female maintenance foreman in the state set to retire

Shannon Thornton will retire March 15 after about 28 years on the job in North Idaho. She is the only female maintenance foreman currently at ITD, and after HR reviewed records, she’s believed to be the only one in agency history.

She started as an hourly in the Sandpoint residency in 1994 and transitioned to maintenance in the Coeur d’Alene area within a few years. For nearly the last two decades, she has served as foreman in the Sandpoint area and then the Athol area.

“She always found a way to say ‘yes’ to anything that was asked of her,” said Dave Freeman, who works for her at the Athol shed. “And when she commits, she leads like nobody else does, but at the same time with a lot of heart and kindness.”

Freeman shared several stories and remarked on her ability to network and obtain resources for her crews. Through her leadership and relationships across the state she has initiated and overseen the construction of maintenance facilities all over the district.

D6 District Engineer Jason Minzghor served as the operations engineer while Thornton was in Sandpoint.

“She took on every challenge I gave her,” Minzghor said. “State Highway 200 was cleared of trees and brush through most of the corridor because she was so motivated. She did more in one summer clearing trees than prior foremen had in the past 20 years. I counted on Shannon to get things done.”

Her crew members and the larger emergency response community have relied on her expertise and leadership over the years. In an emergency, Thornton was the first to offer assistance wherever it was needed.

“She believed it was the right thing to do because it’s where we all live, and it’s our community too,” Freeman said.

When Thornton looks back on her career, her favorite memories are of projects that her crew was able to take on and accomplish, from ditching to restoring gabion baskets to replacing culverts.

“I have had the opportunity to work with people that are truly dedicated and are truly here to serve our customers,” Thornton said. “I have appreciated my time in maintenance and those people who have always been helpful.”

Last month she spoke to the Women in Transportation group at ITD and shared insights about serving as a woman in operations, as well as advice on servant leadership.

“Never forget as foreman you are there to get what the crew needs to accomplish their job as safely and efficiently as possible. The crew comes first,” Thornton said.

Bid awarded for interchange construction at Aht’Wy Plaza

Rendering of the interchange planned for the east entrance of the Aht'Wy Plaza and Clearwater River Casino

Knife River Corporation received the bid for the project that will construct an interchange on U.S. Highway 95/U.S. Highway 12 at the east entrance to Aht’Wy Plaza for $24.77 million.

With a contractor now on board, work could work could begin by mid-May and is expected to take less than two years. The four-lane highway will be separated by concrete barrier and the existing median, turn lanes and acceleration lanes will be eliminated.

Download renderings of the design of the interchange.

“The interchange will allow drivers to safely access the businesses in the plaza without any conflicts with drivers already on the highway traveling at 65 mph,” said Doral Hoff, District Engineer for the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).

In April the Nez Perce Tribe and ITD had announced the joint project would be delayed due to increased costs of essential materials. To cover rising costs, the NPT and ITD applied for additional funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Department of Tribal Transportation Bridge Funding, which was approved in November. The project will still make use of the original $19 million in FHWA FY2020 BUILD grant funding.

“The Nez Perce Tribe set Aht’Wy Interchange project as a priority for the past 18 years; “Safety” along this corridor has been the primary concern. It is exciting to see this project in Construction Phase!” said Samuel N. Penney, Nez Perce Tribe Executive Committee Chairman.

A tentative groundbreaking event is scheduled for April 12th. Learn more and sign up for updates at itdprojects.org/ahtwyinterchange.

Top-ranked College of Idaho Coyotes help shape Highway Safety effort

It’s been a great season for the College of Idaho men’s basketball team. After losing by four points in their season opener, the Yotes have put together a 30-game winning streak, they’ve won the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season and tournament titles, and they’ve spent the last few weeks on top of the national polls. At 30-1, they host the first and second rounds of the NAIA Tournament March 6-7 in Caldwell, Idaho and have already secured a berth in the NAIA National Championship tournament beginning March 13 in Kansas City, Missouri.

In mid-February, Coach Colby Blaine sat down with members of ITD’s highway safety staff and law enforcement partners to talk about leadership and his team’s success. He provided a lot of great comments and insights, but one comment really stood out. He said once the team establishes its goals for the year, he asks “who do you have to become to get there?”

Our goal is zero fatalities on Idaho roads – who do we have to become to get there?

Shift began as a research project to reduce distracted-driving crashes in Idaho. As we worked on this project, we realized simply telling people to put away their phones was not enough. We had to show a better way – we had to show who we have to become to prevent these crashes.

We shifted the conversation to focus on what we are doing right and why that is important. That is where the idea of engaged driving was born. If we want to prevent distracted driving, we have to drive in the moment and free from distractions – we have to become engaged drivers.

We decided to create messages that are authentic and relatable and show the behaviors and outcomes we want to see on our roads. It was a bit of a departure from what we are used to seeing. There are no drivers with their phones in hand getting into crashes. Instead we chose to show who we can become when we shift our behavior, thinking and focus.

Knowing what our goal is and who we need to become to get there is important, but so is commitment to the process. Much like a basketball season, we may with new challenges and unforeseen circumstances but if we learn one thing from Coach Blaine and the Yotes, it’s that working as a team, we can accomplish great things.

Email and text notifications from the Idaho DMV

BOISE– Sign up for e-notifications from The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)! The DMV now offers text and email renewal reminders. E-notifications will launch in May, but customers have the option to enroll today.

“At the DMV, we want to be flexible and frugal,” said DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan. “With e-notifications, customers can choose what works best for them and save on paper and postage in the process.” Additionally, customers who opt-in will get near real-time updates when there is a change in their driver status instead of waiting to get a notice in the mail.

To enroll, go online to dmvonline.itd.idaho.gov and choose your preferred notification method. Simply log on to the website with your most recent credential number, add your email or phone number, and select yes when prompted to opt-in to e-notifications. You can select email, text messages, or both. If you already provided your email or phone number to your account, you will still need to opt-in to confirm that you want electronic notifications. The DMV will send an e-notification enrollment invite to anyone whose e-mail address is already on file.

DMV customers will continue to receive mailed statements by default if they do not select an e-notification option. If you prefer mailed reminders over electronic communication, no action is needed at this time.

Email and text notifications from the DMV are a secure and convenient way to get renewal reminders. The DMV will only use your contact for official DMV business and will not share your information with anyone.

DMV.idaho.gov is a one-stop-shop for everything DMV. There are over a dozen transactions that can be completed online, everything from change of address to registration and driver’s license renewals. Skip the Trip, save time, and go online to DMV.idaho.gov.

American Falls drop-in meeting scheduled March 7 for Intersection of Pocatello Avenue and SH-39

AMERICAN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department will host an informal drop-in meeting for the planned improvement of the Intersection of Pocatello Avenue and SH-39. Project staff will be on hand to answer questions on March 7 from 4:30-6:30 at the American Falls District Library, 308 Roosevelt Street.

ITD is planning to improve safety, traffic flow, and mobility at the intersection with a Continuous Green T design. The Green T will allow continuous movements everywhere except at the stop sign in the northbound lane of Pocatello Avenue.

While ITD initially considered a roundabout at the intersection, further review and community input resulted in a design change to a Green T which lessens the turning movements for most of the trucking traffic on SH-39. The design also makes it easier for large farm equipment to navigate the intersection.

The federally funded $3.25 million project is planned for 2025. During construction some lane closures will occur.

ITD Snowplow Strikes ISP Patrol Car

SWAN VALLEY – An Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) snowplow struck an Idaho State Police (ISP) patrol car at approximately 8:30 this morning during white-out conditions. The incident occurred in the westbound lane on U.S. Highway 26 near Swan Valley.

The patrol car was occupied by two ISP troopers who were at the scene of an earlier crash when the snowplow rear-ended the patrol car. Both troopers were transported by car to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center to be checked out as a precautionary measure.

US-26 was closed in both directions between Ririe and Swan Valley from milepost 355 to milepost 377 due to wind, drifting snow and reduced visibility. There were multiple collisions reported in the region.

“We are grateful that everyone was able to walk away from this crash,” ITD District 6 Engineer Jason Minzghor said. “We appreciate our partners at ISP and our ITD crews out there risking their lives to try and keep the roads as safe as possible during these harsh conditions.”

Several highways were closed in the region due to inclement weather.