Starting tonight the contractor will return to Chinden Boulevard to address the limited sections from last year’s chipseal project that did not meet ITD standards. Repairs will protect the driving surface and extend the life of the roadway.
Between Glenwood Street and Eagle Road, the highway will receive a thin asphalt overlay resurfacing. From Eagle Road to Linder Road, pavement sealer will be sprayed on to the road to protect it, and lines will be freshly painted.
Work will be done at night from 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. to minimize impacts to travelers. One lane will be closed in each direction at night for up to six weeks. All lanes will be open during the day when crews are not on site.
Travelers should check 511.idaho.gov to know before they go.
OROFINO — The Clearwater County Motor Vehicle Office is now offering Star Card issuance on a walk-in basis. Customers can visit the office at 2200 Michigan Ave in Orofino to upgrade to a Star Card without an appointment.
Walk-in service is available:
Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The office is closed Friday through Sunday and on all holidays.
Customers must bring the required documents to receive a Star Card. If all necessary documents are not presented, the Star Card cannot be issued. A complete checklist of acceptable documents is available at itd.idaho.gov/starcard, and it is strongly recommended to review the list before arriving.
As of May 7, 2025, a Star Card or another federally approved ID is required to fly domestically or enter certain federal facilities. If you already have a Star Card and need to renew it, you can Skip the Trip and renew online at dmv.idaho.gov.
This local service offers a quick and convenient option for Clearwater County residents to upgrade their ID and stay compliant with federal travel requirements.
The Idaho Transportation Department will close I-84 under the Karcher Interchange Tuesday and Wednesday nights to place girders on the overpass bridge. Detours will be in place.
Closures will run from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. On Tuesday night, westbound traffic will be affected, and on Wednesday night, eastbound traffic will be affected.
Motorists traveling westbound on I-84 Tuesday night will:
- Exit I-84 at the Northside Interchange (Exit 35).
- Travel north on Northside Blvd.
- Turn left on to Karcher Road.
- Travel west until you reaching the Karcher Interchange westbound on-ramp.
- Use the Karcher Interchange westbound on-ramp to merge back on to westbound I-84.
Motorists traveling eastbound on I-84 Wednesday night will:
- Exit I-84 using the Karcher Interchange eastbound off-ramp (Exit 33).
- Cross Karcher Road.
- Use the eastbound on-ramp to merge back onto I-84.
View the detour maps at ITDProjects.idaho.gov/pages/Karcher IC Maps
The girders were fabricated locally and will support the new westbound lane on Karcher Road over the interstate. ITD will host a Facebook live event during the girder placement on Tuesday, June 10. To tune in visit the ITD Facebook page.
Improvements on this project include:
- Adding a free running right hand turn at the westbound off-ramp
- Paving a third westbound lane on Karcher Road from the westbound off-ramp to Sundance Road
- Reinforcing the Karcher Interchange and Indian Creek bridges to support the new lane
- Updating signal equipment and adding a pedestrian flashing beacon at the eastbound on-ramp
- Building a separated mixed-use path on the north side of Karcher Road
These improvements will increase safety and traffic flow at the interchange. Construction is expected to finish in fall 2025.
Stay informed by signing up for email and text alerts regarding project updates. Text 84CORRIDOR to 1-866-483-8422 or visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/karcheric. For questions, contact the project team at (208) 334-8002. Maps and other details can also be found on the project website.
Ongoing construction to repair fencing on U.S. Highway 95 near the top of Lewiston Grade that protects travelers from falling rocks will continue into the weekend.
From 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings, flaggers will stop traffic in the northbound and southbound directions for 15 minutes at a time while crews strategically dislodge rocks from the hillside to the highway below. Traffic will be cleared after each closure. These intermittent closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.
Live traffic impacts across the region from this project and others can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.
Motorists can expect lane restrictions on U.S. Highway 95 between Payette and Weiser this summer while the Idaho Transportation Department applies a protective sealcoat to the highway surface. The project will extend the life of the asphalt.
Construction will begin in Weiser and progress north nine miles. After that section is complete, work will resume in Weiser and move south toward Payette. All work is expected to be completed by mid-July.
Motorists can expect that:
- Work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays work will end at 12 p.m. All lanes will be open on weekends and outside of working hours.
- US- 95 will be reduced to one lane in the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will direct traffic.
- Speed limits will be reduced, and 12-foot lane restrictions may be in place.
Community members can request email updates about this project by visiting lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/pI5SwgY. Questions may be directed to (208) 402-8408 or info@itdsealcoats.org.
Current restrictions are also posted to 511.idaho.gov.
Traffic leaving U.S. Highway 20 to access South Rigby will be detoured on Monday through Wednesday, June 11, while the exit is closed for bridge repairs. The closure will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and last until complete on Wednesday.
Travelers can take Exit 322 (North Rigby) or Exit 318 (County Line) as detours. Those leaving Rigby to get on to US-20 will still be able to use the southbound ramp at Exit 320 toward Idaho Falls as normal.
This closure will be noted on the Idaho 511 app and at https://511.idaho.gov.
Boise — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is alerting Idaho residents about a scam text message circulating statewide that falsely claims individuals can pay online to obtain or expedite a REAL ID (Star Card). These messages are fraudulent and are not affiliated with ITD or any official DMV services.
“Scammers are targeting Idahoans with messages that look official but are completely fake,” said Lisa McClellan, DMV Administrator. “Your REAL ID can only be obtained in person through an authorized DMV office, not by clicking a link in a text message.”
REAL IDs cannot be purchased or expedited online. You must visit a DMV office in-person to apply for a REAL ID. Most county DMV offices require appointments. A walk-in option is available at 9115 W. Chinden Blvd, Suite 103, Garden City, Idaho.
If you receive one of these messages, do not click any links, do not provide personal or payment information, report the message to your mobile carrier and delete it.
For accurate and secure information about REAL ID and DMV services in Idaho, always visit dmv.idaho.gov.
BOISE — June 6 is National Secure Your Load Day, and the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety is reminding drivers that safe driving includes making sure your load is properly secured.
Unsecured loads can cause serious crashes.
From 2018 to 2022, debris that fell from vehicles in Idaho caused 82 injuries and two deaths. Most of these crashes involved non-commercial vehicles.
“It is not just commercial drivers who are responsible for securing their cargo,” said Josephine Middleton, OHS Highway Safety Manager. “Every driver has a role to play in keeping our roads safe.”
Idaho law requires that all loads be fastened so they cannot become loose or hazardous while driving. Before hitting the road, make sure your load is secure from every angle. Tie it down, cover it if needed, and double check everything.
Taking a few extra minutes could prevent tragedy. Visit www.secureyourload.com or www.dmv.idaho.gov for safety tips.
The Idaho Transportation Department will begin construction Monday at the intersection of Pocatello Avenue and State Highway 39 in American Falls. The $3.5 million project will redesign the busy intersection to improve safety.
Work will place a signal at the intersection Pocatello Avenue and SH-39. SH-39 will also be widened to four lanes from the intersection to Fairgrounds Road. New turn lanes will also be built on SH-39 for traffic heading to Pocatello Avenue.
This year construction will take place through August and will focus on realigning and widening the intersection. All lanes will remain open, but traffic will be slowed in the construction zone. Flaggers will be present during different phases of the project. Access to the American Falls Airport and the Power County Fairgrounds will remain open throughout construction.
In the spring of 2026 ITD will return to install the traffic signal. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/pocatelloave-i86b.
Tomorrow morning construction will begin on U.S. Highway 95 near the top of the Lewiston Grade to repair fencing that protects travelers from falling rocks.
During weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., northbound traffic up the grade will be slowed to 45 mph and reduced to one lane. Southbound travelers heading into Lewiston will not be impacted by the construction.
Drivers can also expect to see crews working on the slope above the fencing to knock down any unstable rocks prior to fixing the fence.
Construction is slated to conclude mid-June.
These repairs cost about $157,000.
Live traffic impacts across the region from this project and others can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.
