E 400 South Road Closed until late August

UPDATE: E 400 South Road in Jerome will continue to be closed until late August.

JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will close E 400 South Road under I-84. Closures will allow crews to begin work on the E 400 South Road bridges as they widen I-84 between the South Jerome (Exit 168) and Twin Falls (Exit 173) Interchanges.

Traffic will be detoured to Golf Course Road, E Frontage Road, E 300 S and S 200 E.

Intermittent closures of E 400 South Road will continue throughout the duration of the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project. Construction is anticipated to be completed in late fall of 2025.

Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.

Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.

I-84/US-93 Interchange Ramp Construction

UPDATE: Daytime and nighttime ramp closure on the I-84 Westbound ramp Aug. 29 – Sept. 11. Daytime ramp closure affords construction crews the ability to expedite ramp paving. Project remains on schedule to be completed mid-October.

TWIN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins construction on the I-84 and US-93 interchange on and off-ramps at Exit 173 in August 2023 which is expected to last approximately two months. Located just north of Twin Falls, the project will resurface the ramps, upgrade signals, and construct a right turn lane for the westbound I-84 off-ramp.

The public can expect the following traffic impacts:

Lane reductions in place at the on and off-ramps south of I-84.
Temporary closures will occur at the on and off-ramps 8 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Motorists will drive on a gravel surface during the day on the westbound on and off-ramps.
Construction will be staggered and no more than one ramp will be closed at a time.
Each ramp closure is expected to last for approximately eight nights.
Motorists will need to use alternate routes when closures are in place.
Signs and possibly flaggers or a temporary signal will be in place to direct traffic.

Download map for alternate route descriptions at https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/I84-US93-IC-RampClosures-1.pdf.

Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for impacts to traffic from construction.

Daytime detour for I-15/I-86 System Interchange expected in the next week

POCATELLO – Drivers on I-15 northbound heading west on I-86 toward Chubbuck will be detoured several days in the next week as crews install girders at the System Interchange. Ongoing construction at the System Interchange will improve safety and mobility while replacing bridges built in the 1960s.

Girders are horizontal steel beams designed to support the bridge deck. As the beams will be placed over the northbound to westbound ramp it is necessary to close the roadway beneath for the safety of the travelling public.

Traffic will be directed to the Northgate Interchange, adding approximately five minutes to travel times. Detours are expected to be in place from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. the following days:

Thursday, Aug. 17
Monday, Aug. 21
Tuesday, Aug. 22

Motorists should exercise additional caution while travelling through the construction zone. Those wishing to receive email updates about the System Interchange project can sign-up at this link – https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/g9MMkN9. Drivers can also check or download the 511 app for the last traffic conditions on all state highways and freeways.

The detour through the Northgate Interchange will exit at Northgate, cross over I-15, and then proceed south on I-15.

Night Closures Planned for I-15 Northbound Lanes at Fort Hall Exit 80

POCATELLO – To facilitate construction of the new bridge at Fort Hall Exit 80 on I-15, night closures of the northbound lanes will occur tonight (Aug. 15), Wednesday Aug. 16, Monday Aug. 21 and Wednesday Aug. 23. During tonight’s construction forms will be placed from 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The other three nights girders will be erected from 9:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Northbound traffic will be diverted over the old overpass.

Motorists should plan for delays and exercise additional caution while travelling through the construction zone. Check 511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app to your phone for the last traffic conditions.

Public invited to view expansion plans for the CDA area as part of I-90 corridor study

The Idaho Transportation Department will host an open house next week in Coeur d’Alene to present designs to modernize I-90 between State Highway 41 and 15^th Street. Plans are funded by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative and include adding lanes to increase capacity on I-90 and modernizing infrastructure like interchanges that were originally built with the interstate in the 1960s and 1970s.

Details for the open house:

Date: Tuesday, August 22

Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn

506 West Appleway Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

The open house will feature designs from two projects: the overarching corridor study that will determine what the scope of improvements are between SH-41 and 15^th Street and the design for widening I-90 from SH-41 to U.S. Highway 95.

For those not able to attend the open house, an online option will share the same information and be available on August 22 at itdprojects.org/i90corridor. Comments submitted online before September 5 will be considered by the project team.

“Throughout the study, we have heard repeatedly that we need to make I-90 safer and more reliable by increasing capacity to address congestion,” Project Manager Erika Bowen said. “With a nearly 16-mile corridor to improve, we are moving forward with the study in the Coeur d’Alene area while simultaneously advancing the most congested section between SH-41 and US-95 to final design. This model of breaking the corridor into smaller projects will help to improve travel for residents where it is needed most, while we complete design plans and obtain funding for the rest of the corridor.”

The open house will feature both information on the larger corridor study and design plans to widen the most congested section between SH-41 and US-95. The design project is the first project to come out of the concurrent I-90 corridor study and is anticipated to begin construction in 2024.

The open house will not provide updates on other sections of the study, including the Post Falls area. With limited funding identified for the corridor, projects will be prioritized for design and construction based on traffic analysis and project readiness. Corridor-wide improvements are anticipated to take 10 to 20 years to build.

The I-90 corridor study is funded by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. The program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build. Preliminary estimates value the improvements needed for I-90 between Washington state line and Coeur d’Alene at nearly $1 billion, which includes design, right of way and construction costs.

To stay up to date on the I-90 corridor project, visit itdprojects.org/i90corridor and sign up for email updates.

Idaho DMV adds new features to online customer portal

BOISE- The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has added new features to the online customer portal at DMV.idaho.gov. To enhance security and customer convenience the DMV has implemented a Single Sign On (SSO) system, as well as a document center.

The SSO system asks customers to link an email address and create a password to access the DMV Online portal. Customers who use online accounts for banking, utilities, and shopping will be familiar with SSO systems. Once the account is linked, customers will only need their email and password to log on. The change makes information more secure and makes it faster and easier to access DMV online services.

The document center makes it easy for customers to access all of their documents from the DMV. Customers can view and download copies of reminders, receipts, letters, and more.

“The DMV is regularly adding new features to our online portal,” said DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan. “We are all about elevating the customer experience by making more tools and transactions available at customers’ fingertips.”

DMV.idaho.gov is a one-stop-shop for everything DMV. Over a dozen transactions can be completed online, from a change of address to registration renewals. Customers searching the web should be wary of imitation and scam websites claiming to offer DMV services. The safest option is always to type DMV.idaho.gov directly into your browser bar. Skip the Trip, save time, and go online to DMV.idaho.gov.

Paving begins next week at SH-53 and Ramsey Road

half-paved intersection at SH-53 and Ramsey Road

Starting Tuesday the Idaho Transportation Department will begin paving at the intersection of State Highway 53 and Ramsey Road as part of ongoing construction to add turning and through lanes.

Paving is expected to last up to three days. The highway will remain reduced to one lane in alternating shifts to allow traffic flow during construction. During this time flaggers may be utilized to assist with traffic flow. Drivers accessing SH-53 from Ramsey Road should expect longer delays than normal, but delays for traffic already on SH-53 should be minimal.

Once paving is complete, crews will adjust timing for the temporary signal to reduce delays. One lane on SH-53 will continue to be closed through the intersection until the permanent signal is installed in October.

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

ITD to begin night work in Idaho Falls this week through September

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin a resurfacing project August 10 that will last through the end of September on Interstate 15/U.S. Highway 26 from Sunnyside Road to Lomax Street in Idaho Falls.

Crews will first mill or grind down the upper layer of the existing asphalt to remove any cracks, ruts, and imperfections. They will then place a layer of asphalt on top of the milled surface to fill any holes and make a smooth surface. This will help extend the lifespan of the road.

During construction traffic will always remain on a paved surface, and pedestrians will always be able to pass through the work zone.

Work will begin each night at 8 p.m. and last until 6 a.m. Lane restrictions will be in place along with flaggers during work hours. All signals may be off at times throughout construction. Drivers should follow directions from flaggers or treat a red flashing signal as an all-way stop.

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

Repaving project on US-20 in Island Park

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin repaving on US Highway 20 through Island Park on August 14 and is expected to last until late September.

Repaving will take place on the 17.6 mile stretch of US-20 from Pine Haven Drive North to Island Park Lodge between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The roadway will be reduced to one lane in alternating shifts to allow traffic flow. During this time there will be flaggers on the road as well as a pilot car to lead traffic approximately two and a half miles each shift. This will continue until the project is completed in late September.

Repaving is important to maintaining the roadways. Heavy traffic takes a toll on both concrete and asphalt, producing ruts and surface generated cracks. Road resurfacing increases the safety of our roadways and contributes to longevity and clarity of road markings.

Drivers are encouraged to obey traffic laws, traffic signs, and construction signs while traveling through work zones.

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

Variable speed limit signs in place in the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls work zone to improve safety

JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has installed variable speed limit signs to improve safety as crews widen I-84 between the South Jerome and Twin Falls Interchanges. The new signs are controlled remotely, allowing ITD to lower speeds when crews are working near traffic.

The current posted speed limit in the work zone is 70 mph. When crews are working near traffic, ITD will lower the speed limit, and a flashing beacon will notify drivers that speed limits have been lowered. When crews are not as close to traffic, ITD will raise the speed limits to 70 mph.

Variable speeds have been successfully implemented in other work zones, including the one on I-84 between Caldwell and Nampa. Research shows that variable speed limits reduce crashes, reduce travel times, and improve safety.

The signs will be removed when construction is complete in late fall of 2025.

Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.