Public invited to open houses to comment on preliminary I-90 corridor designs

ITD will host two open houses next week in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene to present recommended designs to improve I-90 between the Washington state line and Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. The ongoing study is funded by the Leading Idaho program.

Each open house will present identical information and designs.

Post Falls

Tuesday, Nov. 1
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Red Lion Hotel Templin’s on the River at 414 E 1st Ave

Coeur d’Alene

Wednesday, Nov. 2
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn at 506 West Appleway Ave

For those not able to attend either open house, an online option will share the same information and will be available on Nov. 1 at itdprojects.org/i90corridor.

“Since the first stretch of I-90 was built in Kootenai County in 1960, ITD has made some upgrades, but the number of lanes has not changed,” said Erika Bowen, ITD Project Manager. “With traffic currently congested in various parts of the corridor and volumes expected to double by 2045, ITD is studying the interstate to identify improvements to modernize the system, reduce crashes and save drivers time.”

Proposed improvements include adding lanes on I-90, modifying access and upgrading interchanges with impacts to local roads in both cities. Areas with proposed improvements include:

Spokane Street and Seltice Way Interchanges
Northwest Boulevard Interchange
US-95 and Fourth Street Interchanges
Seventh Street Bridge
Sherman Avenue Interchange

Blue and white circular logo for “Leading Idaho” projects sponsored by Governor Little

Following the study and public input, the recommended projects will be prioritized and advanced into design and construction as funding becomes available.

The study is 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.

The corridor is one of 13 approved TECM corridors in the state. Funding for the future design and construction phases on this corridor will be determined based on project readiness and funding availability. Preliminary estimates value the improvements needed in this corridor at $1 billion to $1.2 billion, which includes design, right-of-way and construction costs. A previously funded project to redesign the SH-41 interchange at I-90 is currently under construction.

To stay up to date on the I-90 corridor project, visit itdprojects.org/i90corridor and sign up for email updates.

SH-3 north of St. Maries reopened with wider, safer shoulders

Fall sunshine on a curve on a widened highway

Earlier today State Highway 3 north of St. Maries reopened with wider, safe shoulders. Traffic had been detoured to Goosehaven Road since work began in April.

Construction widened the highway 11 feet to the east, making room for 11-foot travel lanes and 3-foot shoulders. Guardrail was also added along the east side.

“The people that drive on this road every day had to drive on a really narrow road with no shoulders,” said Phil Lampert, Benewah County Commissioner. “This project makes it safer for everyone in the community and those who visit.”

Projects previously proposed to widen the highway had stalled due to environmental challenges and funding restraints.

“When we sat down with county commissioners three years ago, we heard that the desire for this project had only grown over the years,” said Bill Moad, the Idaho Transportation Board Chair. “After that meeting, we decided to use some of our own state funding to get design started.”

With new funding allocated by the board, design began in April 2020. Typically projects are developed through a seven-year process, but with local stakeholders willing to provide a detour for highway traffic, the project was expedited.

“That was a game changer,” said Jim Thompson, the board member for North Idaho. “There was no way to make these changes and accommodate traffic. Offering a detour showed how invested they were in the project, so we prioritized it.”

The three-mile section of highway cuts through wetlands, complicating any expansion effort. Traditionally, highways are expanded by importing embankment material and building the base outwards, but SH-3 was built on soft soils. Extra weight would collapse the soft soils and cause settlement problems for the highway; expanding outwards would also affect nearby wetlands that would trigger mitigation processes with other agencies. To get the safety improvements built sooner, the team wanted to find a way to avoid enlarging the highway past state property.

“We looked at a few options and using geofoam for the fill inside a wall system gave us an economical, lightweight solution,” said Erica Aamodt, ITD project manager for construction. “Since it can be stacked in blocks on top of each other, the foam would allow for a wider roadway without having to go outside of state-owned land.”

While geofoam has been used for other ITD projects—namely for the Topaz Bridge on U.S. Highway 30 near McCammon—this project uses more of it and over a curving length of three miles. The project was bid for $12.7 million, and work began in April, with contractor Knife River planning to build the project in one season—rather than two—thanks to the availability of a detour.

“Partnership is what ultimately made this project happen,” Aamodt said. “We knew this project would be tough to deliver and inconvenient for drivers and residents with the detour, but we all came together because we knew we could get it done in one season and it’d be worth it.”

Jack Buell, owner of Buell Trucking and a former county commissioner, has long advocated for the project and remembers taking Governor John Evans for a ride on the highway to convince him it needed to be widened.

“The best part is that the State of Idaho decided to fix it, and they fixed it,” Buell said.

System Interchange Construction in Full Swing

POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department’s rebuild of the System Interchange for I-86 and I-15 at Pocatello is in full swing with crews working multiple areas throughout the worksite. As part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative, the project is quickly changing how the heart of the Interstate in Pocatello appears.

The lowering of the ramp for westbound traffic from northbound I-15 to I-86 is now complete and work on building the new bridges is beginning. Temporary barriers are in place at multiple locations and motorists will also notice changes in lane striping as traffic is shifted away from work areas.

View of construction site at System Interchange looking south with large crane in center — Cranes are being placed to begin drilling shafts for bridge piers.

One safety innovation being implemented is the use of a conveyor belt system to move earth fill from one area of the project to another. The conveyor allows crews to move material without using trucks entering and exiting the Interstate. That makes for a safer work zone for drivers and work crews. It is important that public keep clear of the conveyor system for their own safety.

In the coming weeks cranes will appear on the project and begin drilling shafts for new bridge piers. Excavators and other earthmoving equipment are also working in multiple areas to reprofile the land. Throughout the work zone water trucks are being utilized to keep dust down. Inspectors and engineers are also on-site daily ensuring safety and compliance with designs.

Near the end of the month or early next month pile driving will begin in the northern portion of the work area. There will be some associated noise during this portion of the operation.

Speed limits in the work area are now set at 55mph and should always be carefully observed, day and night. Crews are working long hours including some night work. Drivers should also know that lane configurations are changing and should be prepared to adjust to the difference by watching for signs and following pavement markings.

It is especially important with such a large project that motorists plan for extra time and to be patient with other drivers by allowing them to merge and change lanes as needed. Sharing the road and watching for workers and construction vehicles entering the Interstate is essential to keeping everyone safe.

The historic rebuild of the I-86/I-15 System Interchange was the outgrowth of a need to replace aging bridges and improve safety. The bridges, built in the 1960s, are currently safe but needed to be replaced due to their age. Failure to do so would result in a need to place restrictive load limits which would hinder commerce.

Water truck spraying dusty ground to control dust — Water trucks are working tirelessly to keep dust from construction to a minimum.

ITD also noted an increase in aggressive lane changes and congestion within the interchange, particularly just north of the Pocatello Creek exit. The rapid motion of entering I-15 at Pocatello Creek and crossing to the passing lane to exit toward Chubbuck did not exist when the interchange was built. However, with population growth and associated development that traffic is now significant. Such “exit left” and “enter left” movements do not meet driver expectations, cause confusion, and results in frustration for drivers.

Another much-needed improvement was a redesign of the Chubbuck Road crossing. The old 1962 bridge is narrow and has limited capacity for pedestrians and bicyclists. With the growth of Pocatello and the addition of the Portneuf Wellness Complex a significant change was needed. ITD’s new design changes Chubbuck Road from being an overpass over I-15 to an underpass beneath the freeway with dedicated bike lanes and wider sidewalks. Removal of the bridge also creates more space for the larger project to handle increased traffic.

Once completed, the new System Interchange will be safer and ready to carry the increased traffic volumes for the fastest growing state in America.

This video describes how the new interchange will work and improve mobility and safety for the public – https://youtu.be/KRdVBAyXweA

Project details and updates are available here 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.

View of earthmoving equipment looking south near Pocatello Creek Exit — Earthmoving equipment is working throughout the System Interchange project site

View of concrete rail on Chubbuck Road showing the date 1962 — The age of the 1960s era bridges necessitated their replacement.

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I-86 to I-15 detour scheduled for tonight

POCATELLO – Beginning this evening at approximately 8:00 p.m. paint crews will be restriping the ramp from I-86 to I-15 southbound. Work will continue through the night and will end at approximately 6:00 am tomorrow. During the restriping work the ramp will be closed and southbound traffic will be detoured through the Northgate Interchange. While it is hoped the work will be completed in one night, there is a possibility the detour will also be used Thursday night to finish striping.

Motorists should carefully follow road signs, obey work zone speed limits, and share the road with other vehicles navigating detours.

Those interested in receiving regular updates on the project can visit the project website at https://itdprojects.org/i-86-i-15-system-interchange and sign-up for email updates.

Public invited to attend public scoping meeting for I-15/US-20 Connector Study on October 18, 2022 in Idaho Falls

RIGBY -The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host a public scoping meeting for the I-15/US-20 Connector project on October 18, 2022.

ITD is initiating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the I-15/US-20 Connector project. The EIS will analyze three alternatives (E3, H2 and the no-build) from the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study.

This meeting is an opportunity for the public to review the outcomes of the PEL study and provide comments as the project moves into the next phase. Public input will be an important part of choosing the final project that best fits the community’s needs.

The meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Snake River Event Center in Idaho Falls. Presentations are scheduled for every half hour beginning at 4 p.m., followed by a guided tour and an open house. ITD is asking participants to please consider a later presentation slot to avoid crowds at the start of the meeting.

For those unable to attend in person, an online meeting will be available at http://i15us20connector.com from October 11 through October 25, 2022. Please submit comments by October 26, 2022.

For questions or to learn more, please call 208.813.0027 or visit http://i15us20connector.com

Your input could help shape how ITD does business with DBEs

The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking your input regarding any disparities evident in the participation of minority-owned businesses working with the department on any projects using federal funds under the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. A DBE is a small business that is at least 51% owned by a minority, female or an economically disadvantaged individual.

Specifically, ITD is trying to determine whether any marketplace barriers exist that make it more difficult for those disadvantaged businesses to compete for ITD contracts and procurements.

ITD commissioned BBC Research & Consulting to conduct the disparity study. The study is done every three years by a third-party vendor to go over the agency’s DBE goal as a whole. To foster equal opportunity and ensure non-discrimination to disadvantaged groups, a goal is set for each federally funded project that will go towards the agency’s overall goal.

The Office of Civil Rights monitors the DBE program and helps set goals on each project. The disparity study will analyze any barriers that prevent those disadvantaged businesses from getting USDOT funded contracts and any barriers ITD (and the sub-recipients of USDOT funds) have in getting DBEs to participate in USDOT-funded projects.

A pair of public meetings, on Oct. 19 in Boise and Oct. 20 in Coeur d’Alene, will be conducted to gather input. Both in-person and by-phone options will be available.

Boise, ID | Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022

6:00 p.m – 7:30 p.m. MDT

Participation in-person is available at the following location:
ITD Chinden Campus | 11331 W. Chinden Blvd, Boise
Enter through the west side of Building 8 | Long Bridge Room

Participation via phone or Webex is also available:

Oct. 19 – Join Online Webex Meeting

Meeting number (Access Code): 2453 034 2017
Meeting password: fMjJXxyw787

Join by phone at: +1-415-655-0003 US Toll

Meeting will also be broadcast at your local ITD district office.

Coeur d’Alene, ID | Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022

6:00 p.m – 7:30 p.m. PDT

Participation in-person is available at the following location:
600 W Prairie Ave, Coeur d’Alene
Main Conference Room

Participation via phone or Webex is also available:

Oct. 20 – Join Online Webex Meeting

Meeting number (Access Code): 2457 198 7149
Meeting password: m2rJcYi3v5G

Join by phone at: +1-415-655-0003 US Toll

Meeting will also be broadcast at your local ITD district office.

If you have any questions about the disparity study or its implications for ITD, please email Ronnie Winks, DBE Program Coordinator, or phone her at 208-334-8567.

“We invite everyone, internal and external, to come and make a comment about their experience with the DBE program and the DBE goal, including any concerns they have, so the third-party vendor can get a clear and accurate information for this study,” Winks explained.

“The results of this study will impact the DBE goal for the next three years on projects for ITD, and the sub-recipients of USDOT funds, so any and all comments/concerns will make an impact on any future work.”

For more information go to: ITD Disparity Study website
E-mail your comments to: ITDDisparityStudy@bbcresearch.com

State Highway 52 Snake River Bridge closed for repaving this Thursday, October 6

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) asks drivers in Payette to plan ahead, as the State Highway 52 Snake River Bridge will be closed this Thursday, October 6.

In cooperation with the City of Payette and Payette County Road and Bridge, crews will repave the driving surface of the bridge on Thursday. The bridge will be closed to travelers starting at 8:00 a.m. and will reopen when work is complete later that evening, by approximately 8:00 p.m. Please check Idaho 511 at 511.idaho.gov for the most up-to-date information.

Design work is currently underway on plans for a future bridge replacement scheduled for construction in 2026.

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.

Ashton construction traffic pattern changes today

Please be aware that there will be a change in the current traffic pattern for the construction work at the Intersection of US-20 and SH-47 in Ashton, ID starting on Tuesday October 4, 2022.

US-20 traffic will be shifted to the East side of the road.

SH-47 will have periodic traffic control, but will generally have little construction activity.

E. 1300 N will be closed to US-20 traffic from October 4th to October 17th. Signs will detour local traffic onto N 3400 E.

All businesses on US-20 will remain open and signs will direct traffic.

US-20 and SH-47 will remain open to traffic in all directions.

Please watch for equipment and workmen, follow all traffic signs and flaggers, and reduce speeds to posted limits as traffic control and safety devices will be changing often to accommodate construction activities.
We appreciate your patience during this construction period. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (208) 523-6600.

Third community discussion to be held in person and online for SH-75 project in Ketchum

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites members of the community to review and provide input on design plans for State Highway 75 between Elkhorn Road and River Street. Individuals can join members of the project team in person on Oct. 11 or participate online from Oct. 11 – 25.

The in-person meeting will be held at the Limelight Hotel (151 Main St. S, Ketchum) on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Community members can drop in anytime to view project information, see design plans and speak with the project team.

The self-guided online discussion will be open from Oct. 11 – 25 at itdprojects.org/projects/Idaho-75. The online meeting will include a short welcome video as well as project information and design plans. Participants will have the opportunity to provide input and see comments from other community members.

This project aims to increase capacity and improve safety along the highway in response to growth and development in recent years that has increased congestion. Plans include widening the highway between Elkhorn Road and River Street, rebuilding the Trail Creek Bridge and improving drainage and other infrastructure.

ITD received feedback from the public during two other community discussions in 2020 and 2021. This will be the third community discussion for this project.

“We are happy to be moving forward with design plans for each of the three segments in this corridor,” ITD Project Manager Nathan Jerke stated. “We’re grateful for all those who have participated in our previous community discussions and we look forward to meeting with the community again.”

Comments may be submitted via the project website or by calling (208) 886-7809, emailing nathan.jerke@itd.idaho.gov or sending mail to the Idaho Transportation Department (216 S Date St., Shoshone, ID 83352) at the attention of Nathan Jerke.

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.