Skip the Trip! Now save time and money renewing your vehicle registration online

BOISE – Beginning Oct. 1, 2022, Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customers will save money by renewing vehicle registrations at dmv.idaho.gov. Through innovation, the DMV has reduced administration and convenience fees for online vehicle registration transactions, passing savings on to customers. Like appointments and online options, this cost-saving effort is part of a larger initiative to improve customers’ DMV experience.

Join the 1.2 million Idahoans who have Skipped the Trip to the DMV by accessing services online. It is a safe and secure way to renew vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses or complete 15 other transactions –saving time and money. In August 2022 alone, 108,231 customers chose to Skip the Trip and complete their transactions from a laptop, smartphone, or tablet.

“As Idaho’s population continues to grow, providing customers more options for completing many routine transactions online just makes sense,” said Acting DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan.

Online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Customers may still visit county offices. While many transactions are available online, some, including getting a Star Card, Idaho’s Real ID, still require an in-person visit to the DMV. However, the rise in online transactions means there will be shorter lines in county offices.

“Working closely with county partners and our state vendor, the DMV is making online transactions simple, secure, more affordable, and a better way to Skip the Trip to get back time in your day,” McClellan said.

I-15/I-86 Detour at Pocatello Ends

POCATELLO – The northwest ramp from I-15 to I-86 reopened this morning at the System Interchange in Pocatello. Traffic heading from I-15 toward Chubbuck and American Falls is no longer detoured through the Northgate Interchange. The detour was needed to lower the ramp so new bridges can be built for I-15 through the System Interchange.

Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while travelling through the construction area. With crews working day and night it is especially important that drivers be alert and proceed safely through the work area. Drivers are encouraged to check https://511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of road conditions and construction. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website — https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-86-i-15-system-interchange/

This project is partially funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of 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.

Child Passenger Safety Week seat check events happening across Idaho

A nurse talks with a mother about child passenger safety while a young child sits in a car seat.

BOISE – The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) would like your support for Child Passenger Safety Week from Sept. 18-24, and National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 24.

In 2021, five children under the age of 7 were killed in crashes in Idaho. Four of those children were unrestrained. “It is so important for caregivers to be educated in car seat safety,” said OHS Child Passenger Safety Program Manager Tabitha Smith.

This week, Idaho has multiple dates and locations for parents and caregivers to check their car seats for proper installation. Certified Technicians will be on site:

Monday, Sept. 19

St. Mary’s Hospital, Cottonwood – Sept. 19, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Orofino City Park, Orofino – Sept. 20, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Fitness Building at Timbee Hall, Fort Hall – Sept. 21, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 22

Syringa Hospital, Grangeville – Sept. 22, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital, Malad City – Sept. 22, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23

Bear Lake County Fire Station, Montpelier – Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kamiah Middle School, Kamiah – Sept. 23, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24

Pocatello Police Department, Pocatello – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Steele Memorial Medical Center, Salmon – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Grease Monkey Channing Way, Idaho Falls – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thrive Pediatrics, Meridian – Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tomlinson South Meridian YMCA, Meridian – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Second Judicial District CASA, Lewiston – Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Con Paulos Chevrolet, Jerome – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information about car seat safety is available at https://shift-idaho.org/child-passenger-safety/.

For questions, contact Carma McKinnon, Child Passenger Safety Statewide Coordinator, at (208) 742-1683 or carma@lemhicountyidaho.org.

Rock scaling begins next week on White Bird Grade

Railroad containers set in place to shield traffic

Sept. 12 update:

Rock scaling will begin Tuesday, September 20, at the top of White Bird Grade to stabilize the slope above U.S. Highway 95. Work over the next several weeks will intermittently affect the highway.

Scaling involves knocking down loose debris proactively, with rocks falling from the hillside down to the road. Specialized equipment will excavate rock at the top and flatten the slope.

“At least for the first day, we’ll have flaggers there to stop all traffic for 20 minutes at a time while workers are scaling,” Operations Engineer Jared Hopkins said.

Work is scheduled Monday through Saturday, with construction starting each day at daybreak.

“As work continues, we may allow traffic to flow without being stopped during work if it is safe to do so,” Hopkins said.

Metal containers that have been shielding drivers since the rockslide in May at this location will be shifted back on to the highway. The passing lanes will be closed earlier, forcing drivers to merge sooner. When crews are not on site, traffic will flow freely over the hill with one lane in each direction.

Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions at 511.idaho.gov.

May 11 update:

All lanes on U.S. Highway 95 are now open after the Idaho Transportation Department removed debris from a rockfall on Monday morning and placed barriers to protect drivers.

One lane had remained open immediately following the rockfall. New railroad containers have taken the place of concrete rail to offer better protection should more rocks come down.

An excavator scoops up freshly fallen rocks on US-95

“More rocks fell down this morning. The slope is not stable,” Operations Engineer Jared Hopkins said. “This will not be a quick fix.”

The department is working to secure an emergency contract to further assess conditions and then likely use specialized equipment to scale the slope. Scaling involves knocking down loose debris proactively.

May 9 update:

Rockfall on US-95 blocks one lane on White Bird Grade

Following persistent rain over the last week, a rockfall blocked lanes this morning on U.S. Highway 95 at the top of White Bird Grade south of Grangeville. The highway remains reduced to one lane.

Rocks ranging from 6 inches to 6 feet wide blocked the southbound lane around 10 a.m. Crews immediately responded by alternating northbound and southbound traffic and hauling away debris.

Rocks continued to fall down the slope, prompting the Idaho Transportation Department to place concrete rail to protect drivers. A spotter will watch the hillside through the night, ready to close the highway at a moment’s notice. Flaggers will control traffic through tonight and likely tomorrow night.

“This happened during blue skies,” Operations Engineer Jared Hopkins said. “Just a reminder that sometimes it takes a bit for rain to seep into a slope and make it unstable.”

Experts will continue to monitor the site. The department is arranging for large railroad containers to be placed at the edge of the highway to block any future rockfall.

“We will let this settle overnight, but in the morning our goal is to continue removing debris,” Hopkins said. “Once larger barriers are in place, we’re hopeful to have one lane in each direction while we identify a long-term solution.”

The department is also working to secure an emergency contract to use specialized equipment to scale the slope, a process that involves knocking down loose debris proactively.

Drivers are encouraged to monitor road conditions at 511.idaho.gov.

Construction activity picks up on U.S. Highway 20/26 widening

Construction activity is picking up along U.S. Highway 20/26, as the Idaho Transportation Department’s planned improvements to widen the Chinden West corridor continue. This work is part of ITD’s efforts to reduce congestion and crashes on this heavily traveled corridor.

I-84 to Middleton Road

Starting the week of September 12, construction will begin mostly off the highway on the southside of this section of US-20/26. Work includes utility and irrigation construction during daytime hours. As construction progresses, lane reductions are planned, but will be announced well ahead of time. Construction in this section is anticipated to be complete in 2024.

Middleton Road to Star Road

Preliminary design continues on this 6-mile segment of US-20/26. ITD will share updates and host another open house in 2023 for the public to view final design plans. A link to materials shared during the previous May 2022 open house is available at itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Star Road to State Highway 16

Drivers should currently plan for overnight lane closures on this portion of US-20/26 starting the week of October 10. The highway will be reduced to one lane in each direction with intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Traffic on Star Road near the highway will also be limited. Flaggers will guide drivers through the work zone. Lane reductions will occur throughout construction as ITD works to widen the highway over the next two years.

Meridian Road to Locust Grove Road

Beginning the week of September 26, crews will start utility work and clearing the ITD right of way in order to widen this section of US-20/26 to two lanes in each direction. This work will continue through December, then paving and road reconstruction is anticipated to start in February 2023 or when temperatures allow. All work will wrap up in early summer.

During construction, one lane in each direction will remain open through the work zone. However, motorists can expect shoulder work, reduced speeds, and periodic lane closures with occasional night work. Specific updates regarding schedule and potential traffic impacts will be provided to residents and businesses in the area when available.

For all work along US-20/26, ITD reminds drivers to slow down, watch for posted signs, and sign up for construction updates by either emailing chindenwest@itd.idaho.gov, calling 208.334.8007, or visiting itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Work begins to repave State Highway 55 in Valley County

Monday, September 12, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins work to repave State Highway 55 between Round Valley Road and Clear Creek in Valley County.

The project will focus on repaving a six-mile stretch of highway south of Cascade, repairing cracks, potholes, and overall uneven surfaces caused by weather, usage, and age. Additionally, construction will level out steep approaches and add a pavement apron to all roads and driveways connecting to the highway, providing a smooth and safe transition onto the newly paved surface.

Travelers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes while crews work Monday through Friday, although wait times may vary depending on traffic density. Temporary traffic signals will allow one lane to drive through the work zone at a time. Both lanes of SH-55 will be open during the weekend. Weather permitting, the project is expected to finish in late October.

“SH-55 is one of the most iconic highways in the state, with some of the best recreational opportunities Idaho has to offer,” said Greer Gardner, project engineer. “The winter snow this area is so popular for can cause wear on a highway. This maintenance will help improve safety and driving comfort for both Valley County residents and travelers.”

To learn more about the SH-55 Clear Creek project and sign up for email updates, visit itdprojects.org/sh55clearcreek.

ITD and the Idaho State Police advise 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 visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.

Rest area on westbound I-84 near Bliss to close indefinitely starting Monday

On Monday (Sept. 12), the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will close the westbound Interstate 84 Bliss rest area until further notice due to a damaged waterline.

“We have been working to fix the line but have determined that more extensive repairs are needed,” ITD Maintenance Foreman Phil Etchart explained.

A timeframe for how long the rest area will be closed is not currently known.

“Our crews work hard to maintain rest areas for the benefit of travelers,” ITD Facility Manager Shawn Webb stated. “Our goal is to repair the line and reopen this location as soon as possible.”

The Bliss rest area facility located eastbound on I-84 will not be impacted and will remain open.

The statuses of rest areas can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov.

Paving begins next week in Bonners Ferry

Milled surface of US-95 about to be paved

Over the next two weeks, US-95 will be paved in Bonners Ferry and the first season of the construction project will be substantially complete between Alderson Lane and Eisenhower Street.

Daytime paving will happen Monday – Thursday (Sept. 12-15), with work focused primarily on the northbound lane as well as some paving on the southbound lane. Access to businesses will be temporarily blocked while paving happens near driveways. The construction team will try to minimize impacts as much as possible. Friday night (Sept. 16) crews will finish paving the center lane. Once paving is complete, workers will adjust the manholes, stripe the highway and open all lanes back up to traffic.

Some work will continue until October to finish landscaping and to replace temporary wood railing near the north end of the project with permanent railing. Through the fall and winter, utilities will continue moving their infrastructure to prepare for the second and final season of work on this project. Next year, work will improve Eisenhower Street to Labrosse Hill Street and is anticipated to take from March to October 2023 to complete.

This project is the next phase of work that originally began in 2018 to rebuild US-95 through town with a continuous center turn lane and pedestrian facilities on both sides. More information is available at

Traffic to shift next week in US-95 work zone at Granite Hill

Aerial view of new pavement over Granite Hill

Traffic will shift early next week at the U.S. Highway 95 work zone at Granite Hill north of Athol. Drivers will be directed onto the newly paved lanes of the highway starting Tuesday, Sept. 13.

“We are very close to being done,” ITD Project Manager Steven Bakker said. “We plan to stop impacting traffic by mid-October.”

Traffic has been running on Mineral Ridge, the new frontage road to the east, since August 2021. The new frontage road to the west, called Vintage Road, will fully open north of Homestead Road roughly one week after the main traffic shift.

Drivers should still plan to slow down in the area as work will continue near the Trails End Road intersection; crews will also install signage, finish landscaping and add rumble strips before the project is complete.

This $21 million project began in fall 2020 and is expected to finish by November, one year ahead of schedule.

Nighttime repairs start again on US-95 Spokane River Bridge

US-95 where it crosses the Spokane River

Work has now been rescheduled to the following week. For the exact start date, drivers should refer to message signs placed on the highway closer to construction or 511.

Nighttime repairs will start again on the U.S. Highway 95 bridge over the Spokane River, with work beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Drivers heading downtown after 7 p.m. over the next two months should plan for congestion.

Last summer crews sealed the driving surface and began work on the railing. This fall crews will replace the railing as well expansion joints that allow the structure to expand and contract with the weather.

“Generally drivers should only have to contend with the shoulders being closed, but there will be a few weeks when the contractor is working on the joints that we’ll also close a lane,” ITD Project Manager Cole Mosman said.

Construction this year will be followed by a larger project in 2023 that will repair the concrete piers and paint the underside of the bridge.

Find live traffic impacts at 511.idaho.gov.