Navy Veteran and Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) worker Shawn Denham continues to answer the call of duty; it just looks different these days. Denham is part of ITD’s Incident Response team, a two-person team that aids motorists broken down on Interstate 84 in the Treasure Valley.
The day-to-day mission has no doubt changed since Denham’s five years with the Navy. Denham can now be found jump-starting vehicles, refilling a radiator, changing tires, and providing gas to those stranded along I-84. On average he drives 150 to 200 miles each day looking for motorists in need of help.
ITD’s Incident Response team began in 1997. Since that time crews have responded to well over 100,000 traffic incidents and are often the first on the scene at collisions.
Any incident that clogs the roadway has potential to create secondary crashes, which is why ITD’s Incident Response team is cruising the interstate Monday through Friday. For each minute a crash is not cleared, the chances of a secondary crash increase about three percent.
There is also significant economic benefit to the team. It’s been estimated that in Southwest Idaho, a half-hour delay in an urban setting can equate to $30,000 in lost work productivity.
Eleven percent of ITD’s workforce is made up of veterans. In total, there are 164 veterans at ITD including 12 women and 152 men. The Idaho Transportation Department wants to thank all veterans of the United States Armed Forces for their service.
Drivers should plan for alternating lane closures next week as crews continue making repairs to the Perrine Bridge.
Next week workers will apply a sealant to both sidewalks on the bridge to protect them from weathering. The closures will be staggered so only one lane or one sidewalk will be closed at a time. Lanes will be closed so that the contractor can access the sidewalks and will be open at night when workers are not present.
- Wednesday through Friday (Nov. 15-17)
- The sidewalk on the west side of the bridge will close for repairs. The adjacent southbound lane will be closed.
- Friday through Sunday (Nov. 17-19)
- The sidewalk on the east side of the bridge will close for repairs. The adjacent northbound lane will be closed.
Maintenance will last through spring of 2024 and includes repairs to the sidewalks, the railing and cracks to extend the lifespan of the bridge. Some of the steel supports will also be painted for protection from weathering.
Activities are dependent on weather conditions. Travelers should stay up to date on impacts by visiting 511.idaho.gov or downloading the 511 app.
The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 16, for the community to learn more, ask questions and provide input about two upcoming intersection improvement projects.
The public meeting will share preliminary design plans for the intersections at US-26/ 45th & 55th. The meeting will be open-house format for the community to drop in between 5 and 7 p.m. at Thunder Ridge High School in the Lecture Hall at 4941 1st Street in Idaho Falls. Information about the process, goals, benefits, and timelines for the improvements will be provided. No formal presentation will be given; however, the project team will be available to answer questions.
A self-guided virtual meeting, with the same information as the in-person experience, will also be available at the project website starting Nov. 16. The feedback survey to provide formal comment during this time is also available on the project website. It will be open through Nov. 30.
“Due to traffic increase and a rise in severe accidents, this area needs to be addressed. It is a main artery route for commuters from the east side of the state to the Idaho Falls center and access to I-15,” Project Manager Rachel Telford said. “We want this public meeting to be an opportunity for the community to be a part of helping us create safe solutions for the future.”
Join the project team at the public meeting or visit the website at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/intersection-improvments-45th-and-55th to view the virtual meeting, complete the survey online, and sign up for updates.
BOISE— Looking for ways to improve traffic safety in your community? The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is offering online grant training for community partners on Thursday, November 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. Mountain Time.
Community safety advocates, organizations, municipalities, and non-profits are encouraged to attend to learn more about the grants offered by OHS. Participants will learn how to identify and document traffic safety problems for a grant, eligible projects and activities, and how to complete a grant application.
The application period for Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Grants will open in December 2023.
These grants fund projects to address specific behavior-related traffic safety issues. These behaviors include impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, seat belt use, bicycle, pedestrian, motorcycle safety, and young drivers. Grants may be awarded for assisting OHS in targeting traffic safety focus areas, expanding ongoing activities, or developing a new program or intervention.
Please email ohstraining@itd.idaho.gov to register for the grant training session.
Fall construction is progressing at the Aht’Wy Interchange on U.S. Highway 95 near the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge RV Park, and motorists should expect a new traffic pattern starting Thursday, November 16.
Drivers will be able to travel on newly paved lanes, with eastbound traffic no longer crossed over to the westbound lanes. A concrete barrier will divide both lanes. Single lanes remain for each direction of travel and the speed limit is lowered for continual safety.
Changes will not affect either entrance to the plaza. At the west entrance, drivers are still unable to turn left from US-95 into the plaza or turn left from the plaza onto US-95.
To see a graphic for access to and from the plaza, please continue to reference this handout.
Construction will continue through the winter, and the project will remain in this traffic pattern until late spring next year. The Idaho Transportation Department and construction partners appreciate the public’s attention to these changes and continued vigilance towards safety.
The Aht’Wy Interchange will allow vehicles and pedestrians to safely cross the highway without impeding the primary flow of traffic. The interchange will feature ramps to connect plaza entrances to US-95. The project is expected to take less than two years to complete.
Updates on the Aht’Wy Interchange can be found by visiting https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/ahtwyinterchange.
Mill and Inlay project west of Idaho Falls
Road construction will commence on US-20 for approximately 13 miles from milepost 301 to milepost 288 .
Work will encompass repairing the right wheel path with a cold mill and inlay process. This project is to make repairs to the existing roadway and extend the lifespan of the highway.
Road work will take place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. The project is expected to last approximately 2 weeks.
Motorists should anticipate reduced speeds and traffic control with a pilot car to guide traffic through the work zone. Drivers are encouraged to watch for flaggers in the work zone. As construction continues, drivers should plan their commute accordingly.
Please check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app for the most recent information on road work.
POCATELLO – Tomorrow afternoon the Idaho Transportation Department will open the new bridge on westbound Interstate 86 near Exit 61 for Chubbuck. Traffic patterns are expected to change between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Once the new bridge is open, westbound traffic will no longer be crossed over to the eastbound lanes. Traffic will flow normally, though westbound travelers will only have one lane.
Crews will continue working in the area for another week to open the other lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to follow posted speed limits and share the road.
The bridge over the Union Pacific railroad tracks was replaced to create three lanes for westbound traffic to better integrate with the redesign of the I-86 and I-15 System Interchange.
Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.
BOISE— Are you “Idaho Ready” for winter driving? The Gem State is magical when it’s blanketed in snow, and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) wants to make sure everyone is prepared to enjoy it safely. Now is the time to prepare yourself and your vehicle for winter conditions.
“There is so much to love about Idaho in the snow, but drivers who want to get out there and enjoy it need to be careful,” said ITD Director Scott Stokes. “Giving driving your full and undivided attention combined with an extra measure of caution could be what keeps you from having irreversible regrets.”
Your safety is ITD’s top priority. When it snows, hundreds of ITD employees work around the clock to keep our more than 12,000 lane miles of highways safe for the traveling public. But plowed roads are only one part of a safe ride this winter. Here are some steps to ensure you are “Idaho Ready.”
- If you see a snowplow on the road, give it plenty of room to do its job. The safest place is behind the plow. Last winter, 17 people crashed into snowplows in Idaho.
- Make sure your car is ready for winter by checking your windshield wiper fluid, battery, and tires. Consider winter tires for extra traction. If you have tire chains, learn how to put them on before you need them.
- Create a winter car emergency kit, or if you have one from last winter make sure the supplies are in good condition.
- Download the Idaho 511 app or bookmark 511.idaho.gov so you can check road conditions before you drive.
- It’s going to take longer to get everywhere once the snow starts falling. Plan extra time for all your trips and be patient with your fellow drivers.
- When roads are wet or icy, slow down and give yourself more stopping distance. Turn off cruise control and remember, bridges and overpasses are the first to freeze when temperatures drop.
- If you do slide, stay calm, brake very gently, and turn your wheel in the direction of the skid. Try not to overcorrect.
For more winter safety driving tips visit itd.idaho.gov/travel/?target=idaho-ready.
FORT HALL – The northbound off-ramp at the Fort Hall Interchange (Exit 80) is scheduled to close Monday at noon as crews finish paving the new off-ramp. Work is expected to be completed by 5 p.m.
The closure will last approximately four hours and is dependent on favorable weather conditions. During the closure traffic will be detoured to Exit 89.
The Fort Hall Interchange is undergoing a complete reconstruction to replace the outdated bridge and improve on- and off-ramps. The redesign also allows for the planned three lanes northbound and southbound on I-15. Those wishing to learn more about the project can visit https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-15-fort-hall-interchange.
BLACKFOOT – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting an online open house starting today, Nov. 1, through Nov. 14 to share design plans and gather input for a repaving project on Interstate 15 from the South Blackfoot Interchange (Exit 89) to the U.S. Highway 26/Blackfoot Interchange (Exit 93).
Community members can join the online meeting at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-15-blackfoot-repaving.
While ITD is also developing plans to widen I-15 to three lanes in each direction between Pocatello and Idaho Falls, the pavement has deteriorated and needs repair. Repaving this portion of I-15 in 2025 will enhance safety and extend the life of the roadway until funding is available to widen it.
Project plans are being designed based on technical data, an environmental evaluation and input from the community. This will be the only meeting that ITD will host to discuss this project. Additional meetings will be scheduled in the future for the widening project.
Those who are interested in learning more are welcome to visit the project website at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-15-blackfoot-repaving, email info@pocatellotoidahofalls.org or call 208-252-5553.
