Drive safe as Idaho sees an alarming spike in traffic deaths

U.S. Highway 12 - Summer 2023 Road Construction

It is shaping up to be a deadly summer on Idaho roads. As many Idahoans make Fourth of July travel plans, the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) encourages caution behind the wheel. Since May 24, 31* people have been killed in traffic crashes in the Gem State.

The year-to-date traffic fatality total is 105* deaths, already a deadlier year than 2023. At this time last year, there were 94 traffic fatalities. 2023 was the deadliest year on Idaho roads since 2003.

Idaho is in the middle of a period called the 100 Deadliest Days. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, when there is typically a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes across the state. More people are out of school or work, on vacation, and celebrating, and risky driving behaviors like impaired driving, distracted driving, and speeding increase.

“There’s no better place to be than Idaho’s great outdoors in the summer, but we want everyone to make it home safely too,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “Our actions behind the wheel are the only way we can prevent this senseless loss of life on our roads. Plan a sober ride, like a designated driver, especially if you are celebrating the holiday far from home.”

OHS and law enforcement partners across the state are teaming up to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers. Expect to see more officers on DUI patrol now through July 10th.

For the Fourth of July and the rest of the summer, remember these driving tips:

Always wear a seat belt. It increases your chances of surviving a crash by 50%.
Drive engaged—no distractions behind the wheel.
Never drink and drive. Plan a sober ride home and encourage your friends to as well.
Obey speed limits, drive slower if conditions are poor.

*Preliminary data, subject to change.

US-20 Exit 332 to re-open in Rexburg, expect continued construction

Graphic of US-20 Exit 332 detailing how to drive through a diverging diamond interchange

University Boulevard Exit 332 in Rexburg will re-open by Wednesday morning. The exit has been closed since May 29 to allow the Idaho Transportation Department and contractor partners to efficiently construct a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) that will improve traffic flow and safety.

Motorists should be aware that work to finish construction at Exit 332 will be ongoing until mid-October. Paving, striping, infrastructure, and beautification efforts will create the need for occasional lane closures. One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open during these instances.

With Exit 332 re-opened, Rexburg Main Street Exit 333 will be fully closed beginning in late July so the same DDI traffic flow can be built there. More information about that closure will follow in the future.

Stay up to date on further status of this project and others by visiting 511.idaho.gov, calling 5-1-1 or downloading the app.

Idaho Transportation Department seeks feedback on draft seven-year transportation plan

Drone shot of I-90 weaving through the mountains in North Idaho

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is seeking feedback on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The ITIP outlines the state’s transportation priorities and guides investment decisions for the next seven years through 2031. ITD encourages everyone to review the draft and provide comments July 1-31.

Transportation projects included in the draft ITIP range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of new guardrail. Projects are located throughout Idaho’s 44 counties and involve all modes of transportation. Project selection is determined through technical data, as well as input from local officials and residents.

Visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an interactive map to learn about projects and submit a comment through the portal.

This draft ITIP shows plans for $6.9 billion in funding, including $200 million dedicated to pavements and $100 million dedicated to bridges each year.

Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney confirmed, “With the growth of traffic accelerating the need for improvements and the impacts of inflating costs since 2020, the added annual investment in highway pavement and bridge repairs proposed in this draft ITIP plan will provide the Idaho Transportation Board effective options to consider looking ahead for Idaho.”

Comments can be emailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov, recorded at 208-334-8063 or mailed to:

ITIP – Comments
Attn: Abby Peterson
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID  83707

Paper copies of the ITIP will be available at regional offices and provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department at 208-334-4455.

All comments will be reviewed and incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate. Responses will be sent by September.

After approval by the Idaho Transportation Board in September, the ITIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in October.

Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP includes the prioritized needs of Idaho’s communities.

$5 online license renewal discount, 8-year CDL, and more coming to the DMV on July 1

Several changes are coming to the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles on July 1 as new legislation takes effect. These changes will improve customer service and offer more options to Idahoans.

Driver’s License and ID Cards

Customers who are eligible to renew their driver’s license online will get a $5 discount for completing the transaction online.
The requirements for getting a free identification card (ID) for voting have been reduced. Legislation has removed the rule that applicants must not have had a valid driver’s license for 6 months before applying for the free ID.

Commercial Drivers and Vehicles

Commercial drivers will now be able to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for eight years. The previous limit for CDLs was four years. CDLs will also be checked against the National Drug and Alcohol Clearing House.
DMV will now issue two-year weighted registrations for commercial and non-commercial vehicles up to 60,000 lbs. The previous limit was one year.

License Plates

Idaho will offer a Space Force Plate to eligible customers.
All Purple Heart recipients will be able to get a Purple Heart plate for free. Previously the fee exemption only applied to disabled Purple Heart recipients.
Legislation also created a Gadsden Flag “Don’t Tread on Me” plate. Plate sales will help fund educational grants for firearms safety training. While the legislation goes into effect on July 1, per the timeline included in the law, plates will be made available by January 1, 2025.

Driver’s Education

Parents in rural school districts or districts without driver’s education programs will be able to teach the on-the-road portion of driver’s ed. Parents must keep a log of drive time and skills learned. Students will complete the classroom driver’s ed course through the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA). More information is available from the Idaho Department of Education.

Other

The definition of “resident” to get a vehicle registration, title, license, or identification card has been changed from 90 days to 30 days. This does not change the definition of resident for voting purposes.
If an owner wants to sell a vehicle that has no active registration, they can get up to two 30-day temporary registrations for the purpose of selling the vehicle.

Idaho DMV issuing paper tests due to intermittent knowledge test outages

The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is experiencing intermittent outages with driver’s knowledge testing stations. Idaho is one of several states impacted by an issue with the driver’s testing stations provided by a vendor.

In a statement provided to the DMV, the vendor’s representatives said, “We are taking immediate action to make architectural changes to alleviate the interruptions in service.”

Idaho uses touch-screen computer stations to give new drivers and new residents the written portion of the Idaho driver’s test, also called the knowledge test.

On May 29, 2024, the DMV created paper tests for when the testing stations go down so customers can keep their appointments and get their credentials. It is up to each driver’s license office to implement the paper tests.

“While paper tests may be old school, they are reliable. We’ll do whatever we can to provide continuity of service for our customers,” explained DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan.

In light of the intermittent outage, the DMV is also exploring options for online testing in the future.

Traffic changes expected for drivers on SH-200 in Kootenai after Fourth of July weekend

Starting after the Fourth of July weekend the signal on State Highway 200 at McGhee Road will be deactivated during working hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday) with flaggers directing traffic between McGhee and Main Street as work begins on the south side of the roadway.

Traffic will be reduced to a single, alternating lane allowing a safe space for work as crews expand the width of the highway to accommodate a continuous center turn lane.

The traffic signal will be re-activated and in use during non-working hours which will allow for the normal flow of traffic overnight and on the weekends.

In mid-August, as the expansion operation continues to the east, temporary signals will take over to safely control the flow of traffic as work continues along the curve between Main Street and 1^st Avenue.

While these temporary signals are in place the potential for traffic delays will increase as they will maintain the single, alternating lane configuration around the clock.

Until mid to late summer drivers should plan for delays up to 15 minutes and are urged to utilize the Idaho 511 system for traffic impact updates.

Patience and caution are appreciated as drivers navigate through the work zone for the safety of motorists and construction crews alike.

Traffic to shift on the US-12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge

Picture of the new surface on the Clearwater Memorial Bridge.

Traffic on the U.S. Highway 12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge will switch from the west side to the newly constructed east side of the bridge by the end of this week. Drivers can expect at least two lanes of traffic, one in either direction.

Drivers will travel on the renovated concrete surface while crews shift their attention to the west side. The next stage of construction will mirror what was performed on the east side of the bridge.

With new facilities available on the east side for pedestrians and bicyclists, the shuttle will stop operating after the shift.

The bridge improvements enhance safety and mobility by offering wider travel lanes, shoulders, median and sidewalks. In addition, the new bridge will eliminate current weight restrictions for heavy loads and bring it up to current standards.

Bridge construction will conclude by the end this year. Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov, dialing 5-1-1 or downloading the app.

Nighttime detour planned for I-15/I-86 System Interchange this week

Beginning tonight and continuing through Wednesday morning, nighttime closures will be in place for a section of Interstate 15 and Interstate 86 at the System Interchange allowing crews to safely place girders for one of the new bridges.

The I-86 eastbound to I-15 northbound ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday and Tuesday nights. Drivers looking to head north on I-15 from I-86 will be detoured through the Pocatello Creek Interchange.

Ongoing construction at the System Interchange will improve safety and mobility while replacing bridges built in the 1960s. Work is expected to be complete in 2025.

Motorists should exercise caution while travelling through the construction zone. Those wishing to receive email updates about the System Interchange project can sign up online.

Drivers can also use the 511 app for the latest traffic conditions on all state roadways.

Construction on five bridges along the Connector (I-184) in Boise

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is performing maintenance work this summer on five Boise bridges along the Connector (Interstate 184). Crews will start work on the I-184 bridge over Chinden Boulevard on Monday.

The bridges included in this project are:

Curtis Road Interchange
Fairview Avenue eastbound on-ramp over I-184
Orchard Street Bridge
I-184 over Chinden Boulevard
Boise River Bridge

Crews will apply epoxy overlays to seal the driving surface, patch and repair bridge decks, and perform joint work to enhance safety and extend the service life of each bridge. The specific work will vary depending on the bridge. The project is expected to be complete this fall.

Motorists should expect lanes and ramps along I-184 to be restricted or closed overnight and speed limits to be reduced. Check 511.idaho.gov to plan your route in advance.

To learn more about the project or sign up for construction updates, visit the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/boisebridges, call (208) 391-2979, or text BOISEBRIDGES to 1-866-483-8422.

Five bridges on I-184 will be under construction beginning on Monday 6/21/2024

ITD invites the public to provide input on potential transportation improvements within the Rathdrum Prairie

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites the community to attend a public meeting to learn more about a study to evaluate the state highway and local roadway system within the Rathdrum Prairie. The public will have the opportunity to review a range of potential high-level options to reduce congestion, enhance connectivity and improve mobility in the region.

Join one of two public meetings held in Rathdrum and Hayden. The same information will be shared at both meetings which will be held in an open house format, allowing participants to attend at their convenience. No presentations will be given, but the study team will be available to discuss the information with participants and answer questions.

Public Meetings

Tuesday, June 25

5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Kootenai Technical Education Campus

6838 W. Lancaster Road

Rathdrum, ID 83858

Wednesday, June 26

6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Coeur d’Alene Shrine Club Event Center

1250 Lancaster Road

Hayden, ID 83835

The study is evaluating the state highway and local roadway system within the Rathdrum Prairie stretching from the Washington/Idaho state line to the west, State Highway 53 to the north, Government Way to the east, and Interstate 90 to the south. On the heels of last year’s initial public meeting, community input was collected and helped to shape a range of potential high-level options to optimize existing corridors and develop new routes that will be on display.

An online version of this meeting, including all the same content and information, will be available from June 27 through July 12 at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/rathdrum-prairie-pel for those who are unable to attend in person.

This study will follow the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process to consider environmental, community, and economic goals early while planning future projects. ITD will share information about the PEL process and timeline of events at the event or by clicking here to watch a short video.