SH-36 closed due to mud slides

POCATELLO – At approximately 6:30 pm on Tuesday a mud slide necessitated the closure of SH-36 between Ovid and Preston. Continued warming temperatures resulted in two more slides in the area. As of 2:30 pm Wednesday the highway remains closed north of Mink Creek.

ITD crews are working to clear ditch and culverts to help the spring runoff waters move away from the highway. However, the safety of the travelling public is the primary concern and the road will remain closed until engineers are confident the roadway is safe.

To travel between Preston and Montpelier motorists can detour via SH-34 and US-30.

As Idaho enters the late spring, this winter’s heavy precipitation in the Franklin, Caribou, and Bear Lake Counties presents a significant chance of flooding. Motorists need to be aware of local conditions and not drive through water running over the roadways.

To get the latest updates on road conditions and closures, please check 511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app.

ITD railroad bridge replacement to begin in Chubbuck

POCATELLO – On Monday April 17 the Idaho Transportation Department will begin night work to remove the westbound railroad bridge on I-86, just east of Chubbuck Exit 61. The bridge will be replaced with a wider bridge that will have three lanes. To avoid delaying railroad traffic during the day portions of the demolition will be done at night when fewer trains pass under the bridge. ITD expects the replacement of the railroad bridge to continue into early May.

The bridge replacement will necessitate changes in traffic patterns and increased noise. It is important that drivers slow down in the work zone and provide room for vehicles merging or preparing to take Exit 61 into Chubbuck.

There is no need to demolish the eastbound bridge which has already been widened to three lanes

Idaho DMV removes convenience fees for online driver’s license renewals

BOISE—Idaho driver’s licenses and ID cards are now available at a reduced cost online. The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) removed convenience fees for online driver’s license transactions and passed the savings on to customers.

“Nobody likes extra fees. At the DMV, we want to elevate our customer’s experience and make online transactions as quick and painless as possible,” said DMV administrator Lisa McClellan. “We are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs and save customers money.” Last October, the DMV removed convenience and county administrative fees for online vehicle registration renewals.

To see if you are eligible to renew your license online, visit DMV.idaho.gov. The DMV offers over a dozen online services, from a change of address to renewing a license or registration. So far in 2023, DMV customers have completed more than 263,000 transactions online. Online services are safe, secure, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Skip the Trip, save time, and go online to DMV.idaho.gov.

Construction to widen SH-53 resumes Monday

Several projects this summer will widen and repave State Highway 53 from Hauser Lake Road to Rathdrum, with the first work zone of the season expected to start slowing down traffic on Monday, April 10.

“Many drivers take SH-53/Trent Avenue to commute back and forth between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene as an alternative to I-90, so we want drivers to plan extra time to get where they need to go,” Project Manager Steve Nettleton said.

Two lanes will remain open during construction, but once construction begins next week speed limits will be reduced and the lanes will be very narrow.

Drivers should be familiar with this work zone, as widening first began last year to add a center turn lane on the two-mile stretch starting near McGuire Road and continuing through Bruss Road.

Last year crews added temporary pavement to the south side of the highway to keep two lanes open during construction this year while they build the base of the new lane to the north. Crews will also reconstruct the existing two lanes of SH-53.

By the time construction ends in September, drivers can expect new right turn lanes and lighting at the intersections of McGuire Road, North Church Road, Bruss Road and Hauser Lake Road. An acceleration lane at Cloverleaf Road will help drivers get up to speed and merge with eastbound traffic.

Since this project overlaps with future plans to build an interchange at Pleasant View Road in 2028, minimal improvements will be constructed near the intersections of Pleasant View Road and Hauser Lake Road at this time.

“The goal of this project and future ones is to make the highway safer by providing turn lanes for drivers,” Nettleton said. “Drivers won’t have to be worried about being rear-ended as they wait to turn left off the highway.”

By late summer drivers will pass through another two work zones between Hauser Lake Road and Rathdrum. Other widening projects scheduled near the city in 2023 and 2024 and the state line in 2027.

For a list of projects this summer, visit itdprojects.org/sh53corridor.

Download a map of construction in 2023.

“Over the next few years, anyone who takes SH-53 will get used to seeing orange barrels,” Nettleton said.

The department also plans to fund a project at the next opportunity to build similar improvements to the four miles between Bruss Road and Latah Street. If funded, all of SH-53 would eventually be three lanes from the state line to Rathdrum.

Drivers are encouraged to check live traffic conditions at 511.idaho.gov or download the new 511 app released in January.

Repaving of Eagle Road resumes this month; nightly detours begin Monday, April 17

The Idaho Transportation Department will resume repaving work on Eagle Road this month between Interstate 84 and State Highway 44. Portions of Eagle Road will be detoured at night starting Monday, April 17. All work is weather dependent.
This year, crews will repair the road surface on Eagle Road and several intersections between I-84 and SH-44, including McMillan Road, Ustick Road, and Fairview Avenue. This is the second season of a two-year project.

During the week of April 10, crews will begin preparation work and one lane will be closed on Eagle Road at night. Starting April 17, all lanes of Eagle Road will be detoured each night where crews are working.

Between Franklin Rd. and Chinden Blvd.:

Traffic will be detoured to Locust Grove Road or Cloverdale Road

Between Chinden Blvd. and SH-44:

Traffic will be shifted to one side of Eagle Road

At the McMillan, Ustick, and Fairview Intersections:

Traffic will be detoured to Locust Grove Road or Cloverdale Road

Overnight closures and detours will begin at 10 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. on weekdays. Weekend opening times will vary between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. depending on traffic volumes. All lanes will be open during the day. For the latest closure information, text EagleRoad to 1-866-483-8422 or visit itdprojects.org/eagleroadrepairs.

“We have a lot of ground to cover this construction season, so we ask that drivers slow down and be cautious where crews are working,” said Jeff Ryan, ITD Design/Construction Engineer. “Nighttime closures will help keep crews safe and keep all lanes open during the daytime commute.”

Temporary steel plates will be placed on Eagle Road to cover manholes until the project is complete. Please drive with caution.

Last season, crews repaved the roadway near I-84 and Island Woods Drive. All construction is expected to be completed in fall 2023.

Idaho Materials & Construction is the contractor for this $18 million project.

ITD reminds drivers to put down the distractions and drive engaged

BOISE— April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is urging drivers to put down the distractions and drive engaged this month and every month. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is teaming up with local law enforcement across the state to stop distracted driving. Now through April 19, more officers will be on the roads looking to educate distracted drivers and remind them that Idaho is a hands-free state. It is illegal to operate a hand-held communication device while operating a vehicle, even while stopped in traffic.

“OHS’s mission is for everyone to drive engaged. Engaged driving is the opposite of distracted driving. It’s being present behind the wheel so you can react safely to whatever comes your way while driving,” said OHS Program Manager Josephine Middleton. “It’s the safety standard we all should commit to whenever we start our cars.”

Distractions are a significant danger to drivers in Idaho. In 2021, distracted driving played a role in 5,035 crashes, and 11% of all fatal crashes involved some form of distracted driving. Distractions are broken up into three broad categories: visual (taking eyes off the road), manual (taking hands off the wheel), and cognitive (taking your mind off the road).

Examples of distractions while driving:

Using a phone
Setting a new course in a GPS
Frequent/extended fiddling with the radio or climate controls
Passengers, children, or pets distracting the driver
Eating while driving
Doing hair, makeup, or other personal care tasks

Tips to be an engaged driver:

Enable “do not disturb” mode on your phone while driving
Set up your music, GPS navigation, and climate control before you start driving
Stop to eat or save it until you reach your destination
Save the personal care tasks for when you arrive at your destination, or do them before you leave

Visit shift-idaho.org/engaged-driving for more information.

New signal at US-20 and SH-47 in Ashton to be activated Thursday

Photo taken by Taeli Elordi

The Idaho Transportation Department will activate the new signal at US Highway 20 and State Highway 47 this Thursday to make the intersection safer.

“Last year we were able to add new turn lanes at this intersection to make it more efficient,” ITD Engineering Manager Bryan Young said. “Turning on the signal will be the last change we make to the intersection and make it easier for drivers on SH-47 to turn on to US-20 without making any risky maneuvers.”

Testing will be done beforehand to make sure everything is in working order to have the signal running properly on Thursday. Crews will close lanes on both highways for several hours a time to test the signal, as well as to apply pavement markings to help drivers understand the new layout of the intersection.

Safety is the main concern. Please be aware of crews on the road and drive with caution.

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

Construction to widen US-95 in CDA begins Wednesday

Large truck navigating a sharp corner on US-95

Construction will begin Wednesday, April 5, to widen U.S. Highway 95 in Coeur d’Alene north of the Spokane River Bridge to increase traffic flow.

Work will last for four months, and traffic will only have one lane in each direction to get through the work zone. Drivers should plan extra time to travel on US-95 or head downtown.

The highway currently features one lane in each direction in the area, with a sharp corner near the intersection with Lincoln Way and Walnut Avenue. Work will remove the concrete median in the center of that intersection so additional through and turn lanes can be built.

“This project will end near the turn off to go downtown and the Spokane River Bridge,” Project Manager Edward Cabale said. “All of the major intersections in this short section will remain the same, except near Lincoln Way and Walnut Avenue.”

During construction drivers will not be able to access the highway from Lincoln Way or Walnut Avenue. After construction a thin concrete curb will separate northbound and southbound traffic on US-95 at the curve and change how drivers will access the two side streets:

Northbound drivers on US-95 will be able to access both streets.
Southbound drivers on US-95 will no longer have access to either street.
Drivers on Walnut Avenue will only be able to turn right on to the highway and will not be able to access Lincoln Way.
Drivers on Lincoln Way will not be able to turn on to the highway and will only be able to turn right at Walnut Avenue.

This design was developed with the City of Coeur d’Alene and public feedback from open houses in 2018 to reduce confusion at the intersection. These changes will go into effect immediately once construction starts.

View the new design here.

“The current layout of the intersection allows highway traffic to flow freely but all other movements function like a three-way stop,” Cabale said. “Simplifying this intersection will make it safer and easier to navigate.”

The existing center turn lane will be extended through Linden Avenue to help with the changes at this intersection as well as access to businesses.

Traffic impacts for this project and others are available 24/7 at 511.idaho.gov.

Weather delays planned lane closures at System Interchange

POCATELLO – The recent snowstorm has delayed delivery of girders for the new I-15 bridge at the System Interchange in Pocatello. ITD planned to install the girders this weekend, but they could not be safely delivered to Pocatello in time. This means the planned lane closures for this weekend will also be delayed until all of the girders can be safely delivered to Pocatello. When that occurs, ITD will update the public.

To protect Idaho’s workers and other motorists, ITD asks those travelling on Idaho’s highways to follow work zone speed limits, be patient, and plan for extra time to travel to their destinations.

To learn more about the final design of the System Interchange citizens can watch this video: https://youtu.be/KRdVBAyXweA

ITD work zone, road clearing efforts win community service awards

ITD’s work zone safety and winter road maintenance efforts recently won in the Leadership in Community Service categories of the Communitas Awards, which recognizes excellence in Community Service and Social Responsibility.

“Making Work Zones Safer” won on March 23 in the Leadership in Community Service category, and “Winter Road Maintenance Customer Service to Idaho Road Users” won in a category called Leadership in Community Service and Corporate Social Responsibility. This is an international competition, and ITD won in categories that also featured such massive companies as Toyota, MasterCard, Dow Chemical, and Honeywell.

“We started this program to highlight the community involvement of great companies and individuals who were sharing their skills and resources with their communities,” explained Mardelle Riley of the Association of Marketing & Communications Professionals (the umbrella group guiding the Communitas Awards).

“Our judges found that your nominee clearly exhibits the spirit of communitas, a Latin word that means people coming together for the good of a community. Communitas winners are recognized for specific programs involving volunteerism, philanthropy and ethical, sustainable business practices.”

The Winter Road Maintenance entry focused on the above-and-beyond efforts of hundreds of workers across the state dedicated to keeping the state’s roads and bridges clear and open. The department’s Work Zone efforts positively impact Gem State drivers and the many ITD employees working on roadsides statewide.

“We are proud of ITD employees for winning this international recognition in the middle of our busiest winter storms season in years,” said ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney. “Their outstanding customer-focused efforts keep our highways and work zones safe for drivers, project contractors and our own dedicated highway workers. This is truly a confirmation of the incredible services they provide daily for Idaho communities statewide.”

ITD tracked 4,572 storm events last year, but have already seen 6,773 storms this year, and this number will continue to climb over the next month or so. The numbers demonstrate that this winter has been more intense than recent years. However, the Mobility Score, which indicates the percentage of time during winter storms that the state’s roads are clear and passable, remains steady at 75% despite the more challenging winter.