Archives: News

Construction to improve the I-84 South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168) begins

Stormy day over the South Jerome Interchange on I-84

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is beginning construction on Feb. 12 to replace the South Jerome Interchange on I-84 (Exit 168). This multi-year project includes upgrading the current interchange, installing new traffic signals, adding a sidewalk and bike lane to the Lincoln Avenue Bridges and improving local roads.

In 2024, crews will begin improvements to Bob Barton Road, East Frontage Road North and Lincoln Avenue. Flagging is expected to occur on Bob Barton Road the week of Feb. 12 so crews can begin irrigation work, and the road will close for approximately three months starting in early March so it can be repaved. East Frontage Road North will also be closed in late February.

During the rest of 2024, crews will build temporary eastbound and westbound off-ramps, which will be used when constructing the permanent off-ramps. Work will also begin on the new bridges, the eastbound off-ramp and the westbound on-ramp.

During construction, motorists should expect:

  • Most work will occur Monday – Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Intermittent nighttime closures on I-84 will be necessary for bridge work, girder placement and traffic shifts.
  • Traffic shifts and ramp changes will occur.
  • Road closures will occur on Lincoln Avenue, Bob Barton Road and East Frontage Road North in March. Detours will be in place.
  • Speed limits will be reduced.

The South Jerome Interchange was originally built in 1966 and has reached the end of its design life. The new interchange will increase capacity and improve safety on the interchange to serve South-central Idaho for years to come.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2026. To sign up for project updates:

Western Construction, Inc. is the contractor for this $54.4 million project.

ID Motor Carrier Services ends HVUT filings: Carriers must file directly with IRS

A blue semi truck and two cars driving on the interstate.

Starting February 1, 2024, Idaho Motor Carrier Services will no longer accept the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Returns (HVUT) filings for forwarding to the IRS. This includes in-person locations, by mail, by drop box, or e-mail.

Instead, carriers must file directly with the IRS either by mail or online.

If filing by mail, the address is provided on the 2290 instructions. The IRS estimates 6 weeks of processing time, so please plan accordingly.

If filing online, go to the e-file providers section of the www.irs.gov website and select an IRS-approved provider from the list.

Once filing of the 2290 form is complete, the IRS will email a watermarked Schedule 1. This is the proof of HVUT filing. Federal rules require that carriers provide it when applying for vehicle registration that reflects a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.

Motor Carrier Services cannot accept the receipt-stamped or e-filed Schedule 1 if there are errors, or if it is filed for the wrong tax year. To ensure the right tax year is selected, use the online HVUT filing period tool.

If you have any questions please contact Motor Carrier Services at 208-334-8611

Mitch Watkins joins Idaho Transportation Board as D4 Member

On Jan. 23, Governor Brad Little announced the appointment of Twin Falls businessman Mitch Watkins as the new District 4 representative to the Idaho Transportation Board, replacing Jim Kempton, who is retiring at month’s end after nearly 12 years. Watkins begins his service on Jan. 31, 2024.

Watkins will represent eight south-central Idaho counties. Watkins is the owner of Watkins Distributing Sales and Service, a full-service beverage distributor with facilities in Boise, Jerome, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, and Hayden, along with Miles City and Kalispell, Montana. He has served voluntarily in numerous state and local organizations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Washington.

“I’m excited to be serving on the Idaho Transportation Board at a pivotal time in our state’s history,” Watkins said. “We’re experiencing a period of rapid population and business growth, and we need the infrastructure to accommodate all of that increased pressure on our roads and highways. With Idaho’s challenging topography and severe weather, maintaining our roads and bridges is a never-ending task, but I’m looking forward to being part of the team that’s working to find the best solutions for the citizens of our state.”

“My business operates over 150 trucks, vans, and vehicles daily, so we know first-hand how a system of safe and well-maintained roads is necessary for our employees to get their jobs done safely and efficiently. Idaho’s economy will only grow as fast as the infrastructure develops to support it.”

Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad also looks forward to Watkins’ service:

“I look forward to working with Mitch,” said Moad. “As a businessman who has dealt with transportation issues for decades in his distributing business, he has a lot to offer and will be an invaluable asset as we tackle the daily issues that face us as Idaho continues to grow.”

The seven-member Idaho Transportation Board meets once a month to oversee the operations of the Idaho Transportation Department. The Idaho Transportation Board establishes state transportation policy and guides the planning, development and management of a transportation network that is safe, efficient and enhances Idaho’s economy and quality of life.   

Lane closures expected on the Perrine Bridge beginning Sunday through Wednesday

The Idaho Transportation Department is preparing for lane closures on the Perrine Bridge beginning Sunday which are expected to remain in place until Wednesday.

“Depending on the weather, southbound traffic will be impacted first, starting Sunday morning and extending into Tuesday,” Project Manager Bruce Christensen said. “Starting Monday or Tuesday, northbound traffic will be impacted through Wednesday.”

Drivers should expect delays plan extra time to get through the construction area.

Only one lane in one direction will be closed at a time, except on Sunday, when both southbound and northbound passing lanes will be closed. Crews will repair expansion joints that allow the bridge to expand and contract with the weather.

This work is a part of ongoing maintenance to extend the life of the Perrine Bridge. Repairs are expected to continue into the spring.

Check Idaho 511 for traffic updates and visit the website to learn more about the project.

Brenda Williams recognized for chairing AASHTO’s HR Committee

ITD Chief Innovation Experience Officer and Human Resource Administrator Brenda Williams was recently recognized by AASHTO for completing her two-year term as the chair for the HR Committee. She previously served as the vice-chair for four years.  

The purpose of the national HR Committee is to research, recommend, and share best practices and policy initiatives to enable the human resource functions of state transportation agencies to continuously become stronger, innovative, and more efficient.

During her time on the committee, Williams said there were a few highlights, such as creating an HR metrics report to help guide nationwide policies, processes, and best practices. Additionally, they held at least two webinars annually and increased the number of states actively participating in the committee.  

“ITD is doing so many great things focused on the employees,” Williams said. “I was proud to share our best practices with other states.”  

Williams will continue to serve on the AASHTO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.  

“It has been an honor to work with such amazing HR professionals around the country who are passionate about making the workplace better,” Williams added. 

ITD shares updated plans for SH-75

The Idaho Transportation Department will host an open house on Jan. 30 about plans to improve multiple sections of State Highway 75 between Bellevue and the Broadway Run intersection south of Ketchum.

The open house will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Commons Room of the Community Campus Building at 1050 Fox Acres Road in Hailey. An online meeting will be available between Jan. 31 and Feb. 14 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh75bellevue.

Plans include widening SH-75 and improving specific intersections between McKercher Boulevard and Timber Way, and between Birch Street and Fox Acres Road. Plans also include improvements to the Gannett Road intersection and transit improvements at the Broadway Run intersection.

“We received excellent community feedback on preliminary design plans in November 2022,” Project Manager Mark Campbell said. “This meeting is an opportunity to share specific updates based on community input, detailed engineering and environmental work.”

Improvements between Bellevue and Broadway Run were approved in 2008 as a part of an environmental impact statement for SH-75 from Timmerman to Ketchum. ITD is re-evaluating improvements based on updated traffic projections, safety data and engineering.

Final design plans are expected to be completed later this year. ITD’s goal is to create shovel-ready projects that can be implemented when funding is identified.

Details about the project are available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh75bellevue.

Persons needing an interpreter or special accommodations are urged to contact 208-334-8884 or TTY/TDD users Dial 711 to use the Idaho Relay System.

Se les recomienda a las personas que necesiten un intérprete o arreglos especiales que llamen al 208-334-8496. Usuarios de TTY/TDD: Marque 711 o (800) 377-3529 para usar el sistema de Relay de Idaho.

Nine ITD snowplows hit so far this winter season

Damaged rear of snowplow.

Winter weather has brought snowy driving conditions to much of Idaho. Unfortunately, the rise in snowy road conditions has also led to a sharp rise in snowplow strikes. Nine Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) plows have been hit so far this winter season. Five strikes happened over the last seven days.

Two of the most recent strikes happened this Wednesday in the Magic Valley, one on I-84 north of Twin Falls, and one on I-84 west of Wendell. Both involved a semi truck rear-ending a plow. The vehicles will be out of service for up to two weeks while they undergo repairs.

“It’s a major impact on maintenance sheds when equipment is taken out of service. We are limited on snowplows,” Jerome Foreman Brian Davidson said. “It makes it more difficult to keep roads clear.”

Another recent strike happened on Tuesday in Nampa. The plow was heading eastbound on I-84 near Karcher Road. A pickup pulling a trailer merged onto the interstate and lost control. The trailer swung out and hit the ITD vehicle’s wing plow. There was no lasting damage to the snowplow.

ITD wants to remind drivers how to be safe around snowplows.

  1. Do not pass a plow on the right. Plows have a 10-foot extendable wing plow on the right side that may be difficult to see in snowy conditions.
  2. Provide ample space for plows to work and steer clear of their blind spots. This also means increasing your following distance behind the plow.
  3. Practice patience and stay behind the plow for the safest road conditions.
  4. Plows often operate in pairs to clear multiple lanes; never position yourself between tandem plows.
  5. In case of a crash or if you need to stop on the side of the road, stay inside your vehicle for both your safety and that of our plow operators.

Last winter, there were 17 plow strikes, a number ITD does not want to repeat. Please be careful driving and mindful of our plows. Check 511.idaho.gov or the Idaho 511 App for road conditions before traveling. For more winter driving tips, visit itd.idaho.gov/travel.

*For real-time updates and photos of plow strikes, visit ITD’s Facebook or X pages. 

Longest-serving member of Idaho Transportation Board Kempton to retire

BOISE – Jim Kempton, who has served the eight south-central Idaho counties as the District 4 representative on the Idaho Transportation Board since March 2012, is set to retire at the end of the month. At nearly 12 years of service, Kempton is the longest-serving board member. He succeeded Gary Blick as the District 4 representative.

A native of Albion, Kempton is a graduate of the University of Idaho. Kempton was a decorated Air Force fighter pilot who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Kempton served five terms in the Idaho House of Representatives, including as the chairman of the House Transportation and Defense Committee.

Kempton also represented Idaho for seven years on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, was a former member of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission – including two years as its president — and served as assistant professor of physics at the Air Force Academy. He also was liaison between the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon.

He chaired the Forum on Transportation Investment during his time on the board, and was a key member of former Governor Otter’s Task Force on Transportation Investment.

At Kempton’s appointment in February 2012, Governor Otter said, “You’re just not going to get any smarter, better informed or committed to public service than Jim Kempton.” During his 11 years on the transportation board, Kempton proved that to be true time after time.

“Jim’s commitment to Idaho and its citizens is unrivaled,” said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad. “It’s evident his time in the Idaho Legislature and with the Public Utilities Commission has been invaluable as he helped guide us on critical issues addressing growth and investment in transportation. I personally will miss the wit and wisdom that was apparent in the support he gave me and the other board members.”

Julie DeLorenzo, who started on the board just a month after Kempton, becomes the longest-tenured member when Kempton steps down.

 

 

SH-21 between Grandjean and Banner Summit set to close at 4 p.m. due to avalanche risk

The Idaho Transportation Department will close State Highway 21 from Grandjean to Banner Summit this afternoon due to high avalanche risk.

A weather system bringing rain and snow is likely to trigger avalanches in this section of highway. The anticipated closure will begin at 4 p.m. today. However, actual weather impacts may require an earlier closure.

Motorists needing to use the roadway are advised to make the trip immediately or plan to use alternate routes. The alternate route between the Treasure Valley and Stanley area is to travel east on Interstate 84, exit in Mountain Home at Exit 95 to U.S. Highway 20 and then head north on State Highway 75.

The ITD avalanche crew monitors the snowpack along this section of highway in order to forecast the risk of avalanches large enough to reach the roadway. This practice allows the department to keep the highway open during the winter months with a reasonable confidence of safety for the traveling public.

There are around 70 avalanche paths in this 11-mile stretch of SH-21. Avalanches can be triggered without warning. For this reason, there is no parking or stopping within this section of road during the winter.

The highway will reopen when the snowpack has stabilized and the risk of active avalanches is reduced. Updates on closures and openings will be posted on 511.idaho.gov. 

Construction plans for SH-27 and G Canal

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host an open house next Wednesday to share construction plans to replace the signal and culvert on State Highway 27 and G Canal.

The meeting will be held between 5 – 7 p.m. on Jan. 24,  at Mountain View Elementary at 333 W. 27th Street in Burley. This meeting follows an open house format, and individuals can stop by at their convenience to visit with ITD staff and learn more about the project.

ITD also offers an online option for individuals unable to attend in person. Please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh27and27th between Jan. 24 – Feb. 7 to view project material and comment. Construction is planned to start in mid-October. If individuals have questions or comments about the project and are unable to attend the in-person or online meeting, contact Project Manager Brock Dille at (208) 544-7906 or brock.dille@itd.idaho.gov.