Now entering the 100 Deadliest Days on Idaho Roads

This upcoming holiday weekend marks the beginning of a dangerous time for Idaho drivers- the 100 Deadliest Days. The 100 Deadliest Days are the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Idaho sees a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) want to caution drivers to be extra vigilant and careful as they head out for summer travel and recreation.

“We want everyone to have an amazing summer making great memories with their family and friends,” said OHS Program Manager Josephine Middleton, “So we are asking everyone to put down the distractions, drive the speed limit, wear a seatbelt and plan a sober ride home if you are drinking, so we can all make it home safely.”

A variety of factors converge to make this a dangerous time on Idaho roads. During the summer more people are out of school or work, taking vacations, recreating, and celebrating. These social factors lead to higher instances of distracted driving, aggressive driving, and impaired driving, making the roads more dangerous for everyone, even safe drivers who are doing everything right. We drive safe vehicles that come with technology and safety equipment as standard, yet the data shows that fatal and serious injury crashes increase during this time of year.

During the 100 Deadliest Days last year, there were 72 fatal crashes, and 80 people died. So far in 2023, 75* people have died in traffic crashes on Idaho roads, and we are on track to meet the fatality numbers for 2021 which was our worst year since 2005. The year-to-date total from the same time last year was 52 fatalities.
*Preliminary data

US-2 construction begins next Tuesday in Sandpoint

Construction will begin Tuesday, May 30, in Sandpoint to widen U.S. Highway 2 south of its interchange with U.S. Highway 95.

Crews will build another lane for southbound traffic between the interchange and the visitor center.

“Adding another lane will make the highway four lanes and consistent with other sections, removing the bottleneck drivers currently experience,” Project Manager Erica Aamodt said.

The project will also increase the clearance underneath the railroad bridge so that taller loads may pass underneath.

“US-2 serves as an alternate route for US-95, so increasing the clearance to the current standard of 17 feet will allow a greater range of commercial vehicles to pass through without difficulty,” Aamodt said.

Work will take until mid-November to complete. Drivers will be able to pass through the work zone with one lane in each direction but should still plan for congestion.

Drivers can download the 511 app or check 511.idaho.gov to stay ahead of traffic impacts on state highways and interstates.

US-95/12 Aht’Wy Interchange in First Construction Phase

The Aht’Wy Interchange project on US-95/12 which is near the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge RV Park is currently in its earliest construction stages. After a well-attended groundbreaking ceremony this past April, contractors are getting started and motorists can expect some changes in traffic patterns.

The initial stage will consist of work in the median area to construct crossovers to facilitate traffic needed for future stages. Once this work is complete, the contractor will make changes to the traffic patterns and reconstruct the northbound lanes. During these initial stages, travelers can expect single lanes in each direction. Please drive safe and be mindful of construction workers and equipment working close to the roadway.

The new diamond-shaped interchange will replace current at-grade intersection with an overpass to access the plaza, on the east entrance. This includes additions of deceleration and acceleration ramps for eastbound traffic. As for additional infrastructure, a broadband conduit and pedestrian walkway will be included in the construction.

Download renderings of the design of the interchange.

Updates on the Aht’Wy Interchange Project can be found by visiting https://itdprojects.org/projects/ahtwyinterchange/

Deadly crashes go up during summer months

WHAT: Wrecked vehicle on display to raise awareness about the 100 deadliest days
WHO: Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar, Boise Police Cpl. Kyle Wills, Caldwell Police officer Tom DeFur, ITD, AAA
WHEN: Friday, May 19th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Boise Towne Square Mall, 350 N Milwaukee St, Boise, ID 83704, Media please use the main entrance

BOISE– Every year during the months of June, July, and August there is an increase in the number of car crashes that unfortunately result in death or injury. These months are known as the “100 deadliest days” and Boise Police, Caldwell Police, the Idaho Transportation Department, AAA and the Boise Towne Square Mall are teaming up to remind drivers to stay safe this summer.

On Friday, May 19th, these agencies will use a wrecked vehicle from an aggressive driving crash on display at the Boise Towne Square Mall as a reminder to slow down, limit distractions and focus on driving.

“With so many options available to distract us when we’re driving, we hope that this display of a wrecked vehicle will give drivers the motivation to put down the distractions and just drive the speed limit,“ said Boise Police Cpl. Kyle Wills.

According to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), there were 72 fatal crashes across Idaho last summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. So far this year, 71* people have died on Idaho roads. Six* of those fatalities happened in the last week alone. The year-to-date total from the same time last year was 52 fatalities.

“That’s 71 tragedies for families, friends and communities across Idaho,” said Josephine Middleton, Highway Safety Program Manager with ITD. “As we head into the 100 Deadliest Days and the rest of the year let’s focus on protecting each other on the roads by stopping the behaviors that contribute to traffic crashes.”

ITD data shows that 15% of all fatal crashes are distracted-driving related. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Speed is also a significant factor in many crashes. Speeding, which includes exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is considered aggressive driving. According to ITD, 35% of all fatal crashes are aggressive-driver related. Other aggressive driving behaviors include following too closely, weaving, and failure to yield or stop at a sign or signal.

“Safe driving is also sober driving, and you can’t drive anywhere safely if you’re impaired. With 37% of all fatal crashes involving an impaired driver, we urge you to get a designated driver or use ride-sharing services if you plan to drink” said Wills.

It’s illegal everywhere in America to drive under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, opioids, methamphetamines, or any potentially impairing drug–prescribed or over the counter.

At Friday’s media event, Caldwell Police officer Tom Defur will share his own personal story to remind drivers about the importance of safe driving.

Media interested in attending the event can contact:
Ellen Mattila
ITD Public Information Officer
(208) 832-8776
ellen.mattila@itd.idaho.gov

Safety project starts Monday on US-95 near McArthur Lake

On Monday, May 22, construction will start on U.S. Highway 95 near McArthur Lake to reconstruct the highway and adjust sharp curves.

Plans call for one mile of US-95 to be realigned to soften curves and for the small box culvert to be replaced with a longer bridge. The south end of the bridge will be shifted to the east approximately 50 feet, and crews will remove dirt and other material from underneath the bridge to provide better clearance for wildlife passage.

Additionally, more than one-half mile on each side of the highway will be fenced to help funnel wildlife to the bridge for a safe crossing within the project limits.

“In this half-mile stretch of highway, 51 wildlife mortalities have been documented in the past decade, with many more going unreported,” said Norm Merz, the Regional Wildlife Habitat Manager with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. “The replacement of the box culvert with a bridge and funnel fencing will allow wildlife to access habitat on both sides of the highway while reducing the risk of auto-wildlife collisions.”

Safety improvements will take two years to complete. For the first month, flaggers will intermittently stop traffic on US-95 as crews remove the part of the existing highway. The contractor will also begin building a temporary two-lane road around the work zone to allow traffic to flow smoothly until construction is finished in the fall of 2024.

Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan ahead for any delays from work zones.

US-30 Heyburn Bridge repair resumes

SHOSHONE – Construction work resumed today on US-30 Heyburn Bridge over the Snake River. The epoxy overlay repair is expected to be completed by early June. Motorists can expect lane restrictions during construction and are advised to slow down.

ITD, Idaho State Police, and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.

UPDATE: Commuter traffic in-town detour – Shoshone railroad closed for repairs May 16-18

SHOSHONE – UPDATE – Commuter motorists will be detoured in-town around the Shoshone railroad construction zone while trucks will be detoured onto to highways.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) asks drivers in the Shoshone area to plan ahead, as a section of U.S. Route 26 at milepost 165.93 will be closed for railroad repair May 16-18.

The crossing will be closed to motorists starting on Tuesday, May 16 at 6 a.m. and will reopen when work is complete by approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. To receive the most current traffic updates, call 511 or sign up at 511.idaho.gov.

Union Pacific Railroad Company will conduct repairs to address the aging infrastructure and includes removing old steel tracks and replacing with new steel tracks, concrete slabs, and asphalt.

Commuter motorists will be detoured in-town around the Shoshone railroad construction zone. All commercial trucks traveling northbound on U.S. Route 93 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 26. Those traveling southbound on State Highway 75 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 20. The closure and detour will remain for approximately three days until the railroad crossing repairs are completed.

Shoshone railroad crossing closed temporarily until repaired

SHOSHONE – A Union Pacific Railroad company crew is working to reopen a railroad crossing in Shoshone that is temporarily closed due to a trucking accident that happened late Friday afternoon on May 12. Crews are currently onsite and expect to have the section of road along U.S. Route 26 at milepost 165.93 opened as soon as repairs are completed within the next few hours.

A truck pulling a trailer hooked part of a rail while traveling over the railroad crossing and caused damage to the rail and tore out several concrete slabs. There are no reported injuries.

Motorists can expect traffic delays around the Shoshone area and should find alternate routes. To receive the most current traffic updates, call 511 or sign up at 511.idaho.gov.

This incident does not impact the scheduled railroad crossing repair currently scheduled for next week starting May 16. The crossing will be closed to motorists starting on Tuesday, May 16 at 6 a.m. and will reopen when work is complete by approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18.

Union Pacific Railroad Company will conduct repairs to address the aging infrastructure and includes removing old steel tracks and replacing with new steel tracks, concrete slabs, and asphalt.

Motorists traveling northbound on U.S. Route 93 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 26. Those traveling southbound on State Highway 75 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 20. The closure and detour will remain for approximately three days until the railroad crossing repairs are completed.

Shoshone railroad crossing closed for repairs May 16-18

SHOSHONE – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) asks drivers in the Shoshone area to plan ahead, as a section of U.S. Route 26 at milepost 165.93 will be closed for railroad repair May 16-18.

Union Pacific Railroad Company will conduct repairs to address the aging infrastructure and includes removing old steel tracks and replacing with new steel tracks, concrete slabs, and asphalt.

Tom Mahoney takes reins as new Idaho Aeronautics Administrator

BOISE – Tom Mahoney, an Idaho pilot with more than three decades of aviation experience in the Gem State, takes over May 15 as the new Idaho Division of Aeronautics Administrator. He replaces Jeff Marker, who is retiring in early June after nine years with the department and four years as Aero’s Administrator.

In leaving, Marker stated he is incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to work for ITD

“This is an extraordinarily professional group, and I feel privileged to have been at least a small part of the team,” Marker explained. “Aero and ITD will be in great hands as Tom takes over as Administrator.”

Mahoney brings enthusiasm and a wealth of Idaho experience to the new position.

“I am thrilled to be selected,” Mahoney said. “I am glad to continue to contribute to air commerce and safety in Idaho, a state that benefits tremendously from aviation.”

Mahoney has been a military aviator, aircraft owner, small-business owner, flight instructor, and air charter pilot in Idaho for the past 30 years.

“I will use all of those skills as I serve the team members in the Aeronautics Division,” he added. “I look forward to continuing Jeff Marker’s legacy and supporting the vision and mission of the Idaho Transportation Department.”

Aviation runs in Mahoney’s blood. “Aviation has been a passion of mine since winning an art contest for United Airlines when I was eight years old,” he said. “My father was a United Airlines employee, so I had early exposure to many great people in aviation.”

Like Marker, Mahoney has an Air Force background. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy (Physics), Air Force Test Pilot School, Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University, and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. After a decade of flying fighter aircraft, Tom served for four years as a budget officer in the Pentagon.