US-30 project to begin next week on Heyburn Bridge

Work is expected to begin Monday (June 13) on the U.S. Highway 30 Heyburn Bridge over the Snake River. In the coming weeks, crews will apply a sealing treatment to the driving surface to extend the life of the bridge.

“Besides protecting the surface from water and other elements, bridge joints that allow the bridge to expand and contract with the weather will also be replaced as part of this project,” ITD Project Manager Bruce Christensen said.

Construction is expected to occur Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Occasional work may occur on Saturdays as needed.

While work is underway, lane restrictions will be in place. Adjustments to the traffic signal on the north side of the bridge may also be needed during construction.

“We will work with our contractor to make adjustments to our work schedule and traffic control as necessary,” Christensen stated.

Motorists are advised to slow down, watch for signs and use caution when traveling through the area. Drivers should plan ahead and expect delays.

Cannon Builders is the prime contractor on this project that is expected to be complete this summer.

US-95 project in North Idaho named regional winner in America’s Transportation Awards

A project on U.S. Highway 95 in North Idaho was recently named the western regional winner of the America’s Transportation Awards announced Tuesday (June 7). Sponsored by AASHTO, AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the America’s Transportation Awards competition was created to showcase tremendous projects.

Work from 2019 through 2021 addressed skyrocketing growth in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden by adjusting signal spacing as well as access and capacity at intersections. Several intersections on US-95 lacked basic turn lanes to separate turning traffic from through traffic. To maximize mobility at these intersections – some of which were seeing 50,000 vehicles a day, nearly rivaling traffic counts on the interstate—ITD added eight turn lanes to six intersections.

“Adjusting the signals so that they were spaced one-half mile apart allows us to better manage traffic with what we already had and without building costly features like bypasses or interchanges,” Project Manager Carrie Ann Hewitt said. “Once we update the signal technology this fall, we expect to see even more seconds saving traveling through the corridor. Seconds may not sound like much, but throughout the corridor they add up.”

Other improvements included rebuilding the shared-use path to the east of the highway and placing noise walls near Carriage Court and Hayden Pines.

This project was also awarded the Excellence in Construction Partnering Award from the Idaho Transportation Department and Associated General Contractors of Idaho in December 2021. The high-priority project united many stakeholders in the area, bringing together the cities of Coeur d’Alene and Hayden, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the state in a shared goal of optimizing the congested US-95 corridor in the heart of the City of Coeur d’Alene and the City of Hayden. Changes were partially funded by a $5.1 million federal grant with match money from ITD and both cities.

As a regional winner, the project will be considered for inclusion into the competition’s “Top 12,” which will be announced Sept. 7. These 12 projects compete for two top prizes — the Grand Prize, chosen by an independent panel of judges, and the People’s Choice Award, determined by the public through online voting. Both awards carry a $10,000 cash prize to support a transportation-related scholarship or charitable cause. The winning project will be announced at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Orlando this October.

Preliminary work underway to expand US-95 south of Moscow

Traffic on US-95 entering Moscow from the south

Preliminary work to expand U.S. Highway 95 on a new alignment from Thorn Creek Road to Moscow began last week, with crews mobilizing into the middle segment and beginning survey.

The project will transform 6.5 miles of US-95, shifting it less than a mile to the east and expanding it from two to four lanes, enhancing safety for all users. Work this year will include earthwork and two new bridges over Eid Road.

Only some of the construction will be visible from the highway. Drivers should expect contractors’ vehicles and equipment near Zeitler Road throughout the next several months.

“This is the last two-lane section between Moscow and Lewiston,” ITD Project Manager Howard Cooley said. “The new route will tie in at Reisenauer Hill and be safer by featuring flatter grades, fewer approaches and less severe curves.”

Map of new alignment next to existing US-95

US-95 is Idaho’s only north-south continuous highway, connecting travelers and commerce across the state.

Yellowstone traffic lights in Pocatello to be upgraded beginning this weekend

Photo of Yellowstone and Cedar intersection

The Idaho Transportation Department will be repairing a signal pole and making traffic signal improvements to the intersections of Alameda and Yellowstone and Cedar and Yellowstone. The work will be performed at night (9 p.m.-5 a.m.) beginning Sunday evening, June 12th and will continue through July 10th. During daylight hours, all businesses will have normal access along Yellowstone, Alameda and Cedar for the duration of the project.

When complete, new sensors will provide better recognition of traffic at the intersection stop bars. Long range radar will provide information on approaching traffic to improve the flow of traffic through these two busy intersections.

ITD will begin work at the northwest corner of Cedar and Yellowstone to pour a new foundation as part of replacing a damaged signal pole.

Work will then move to Alameda and Yellowstone where there will be temporary single lane closures during the nighttime work period (9 p.m. – 5 a.m.). All lanes will be reopened after 5 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m.

When Alameda is complete, work will move back to Cedar and will proceed in a similar manner as Alameda.

Longtime Controller Dave Tolman named ITD’s Chief Administrative Officer

BOISE – Longtime ITD financial guru Dave Tolman will become the department’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), replacing retiring CAO Char McArthur. Tolman has worked in state government for 32 years, including the last 20 years with ITD as Controller. He will oversee ITD’s Business and Support Management unit, plus Financial Services, Financial Planning and Analysis, and Internal Review.

Tolman has been responsible for financial reporting, revenues, expenditures, payroll, and cost accounting. For the past two decades, Dave has been the finance lead for the GARVEE and TECM bond programs and is knowledgeable in business processes and policies for all ITD programs.

Beyond his role at ITD, Tolman currently serves on the State Controller’s Office Fiscal Policy Advisory Committee, Access Idaho Steering Committee for the State of Idaho, and AASHTO’s standing Committee on Funding and Finance. Nationally, he is well known for his financial acumen and is the sought-after expert in GARVEE bonding activities across the country.

Prior to joining the department, Dave worked for the Idaho Division of Financial Management and the Idaho State Controller’s Office. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Business Administration from Boise State University.

“Dave is an exceptional leader with unmatched knowledge of state financial management,” said ITD’s new Director, Scott Stokes. “He is also very attentive to the needs of his staff and invests in giving them opportunities to grow.”

Tolman steps in as the new CAO at a crucial time, providing valuable experience and guidance in the investment and utilization of additional funds provided by the Governor and Idaho Legislature to modernize Idaho’s transportation system and help deliver on an unprecedented program.

“I feel fortunate to have a compassionate, supportive, and capable leader like Dave joining ITD’s Executive Team,” said Stokes. “Dave will help guide our decision-making as we navigate the future.”

Tolman is excited about his new role:

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve the department and our customers,” said Tolman. “It’s an exciting time at ITD, as we have an unprecedented opportunity to invest wisely in the state’s vast transportation infrastructure.”

US-93 Between Challis and Salmon to be closed Tuesday for emergency culvert replacement

CHALLIS – On Tuesday, June 7 at 8:00 am the Idaho Transportation Department will be closing US-93 north of Cow Creek Road between Challis and Salmon to replace a collapsed culvert. Work is expected to take approximately four hours. “Unfortunately, due to the nature of the work and the location we’ll have to close the road completely to replace the culvert,” said ITD Area Manager Cody Schmidt. “We’ll do everything we can to finish the repair as quickly as possible since there is no local detour route available.”

Gravel fill has been added to ensure the safety of the public until the repair can be completed. Drivers should slow when approaching the area and follow reduced speed limit signs to avoid windshield damage. Motorists are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app for the latest updates on construction, detours, and road closures.

ITD to hold open house on I-15 planning project between Northgate and Blackfoot

POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting an open house from June 6 – 13 to share information and gather public input about designs to widen I-15 between the Northgate Parkway Interchange (Exit 73) and Blackfoot.

Map of project area with description of anticipated improvements — Download full-resolution PDF

“Most of I-15 was constructed in the 1960s and 1970s and it is aging and nearing capacity in some areas,” said ITD District 5 Engineering Manager Eric Staats. “We are excited to be moving forward with a planning and design process to improve safety and capacity on I-15 between Pocatello and Blackfoot.”

The I-15 Northgate to Blackfoot Project is part of a multi-year planning process to improve I-15 between Pocatello and Idaho Falls.

“This project between the Northgate Interchange and Blackfoot will provide environmental clearance and develop widening options for future projects,” said Staats. “We would like the public’s input on the widening options that are being developed.”

The public is invited to stop by the open house any time between 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8 at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel, Chief Targhee Room (777 Bannock Road) in Fort Hall. ITD will be on hand to discuss the project and proposed widening improvement options.

The same information will also be available online at https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-15northgatetoblackfoot/ between June 6 – 13. Participants can review materials online and submit comments.

Elements of this project are being funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of the Leading Idaho TECM Program. To address the state’s rapid growth, the legislature passed a historic transportation revenue package that Governor Little signed as part of his Leading Idaho initiative in May 2021. House Bill 362 raised the percentage of sales tax going towards transportation from 1% to 4.5%, with bonding authority granted to ITD to invest in safety and capacity needs across the state. 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.

For more information, please visit the project website at https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-15northgatetoblackfoot/

Traffic light at US-26 and Woodruff in Idaho Falls being replaced following accident

Workers and truck working on damaged light pole — ITD District 6 employees examine the damaged pole at the intersection of US-26 and Woodruff

IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department is advising drivers to use caution at the intersection of US-26 (North Yellowstone Highway) and North Woodruff Avenue. Following a vehicle collision with a signal pole, ITD will be turning the intersection into a four-way stop until repairs can be completed.

“The vehicle’s impact was bad enough that it moved the signal pole foundation over a foot,” said Wade Allan, District 6 Traffic and Materials Manager. “We’re going to have to repour the foundation along with other significant work to get the light operational again.”

Due to the extent of the repairs needed, there is no estimate yet for when the light will be replaced.

Pavement resurfacing to begin next week on US-93 in Twin Falls

Photo of Blue Lakes and Fillmore Intersection in Twin Falls

Pavement resurfacing on U.S. Highway 93 (Blue Lakes Boulevard) from the Perrine Bridge to Pole Line Road in Twin Falls is scheduled to begin the week of June 6.

The project includes resurfacing and reconstructing pavement, upgrading pedestrian ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and replacing the traffic signal at the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard and Fillmore Street/Bridgeview Boulevard.

Until construction is complete in mid-summer, the following impacts can be expected:

Work will occur overnight from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. to reduce impacts and congestion during commute hours for residents, businesses, and motorists.
During night work, lane reductions will be in place. All lanes will be open during daytime hours.
Business access will be maintained but may be briefly limited when equipment moves in front of an intersection or driveway.
Construction will be noisy due to operating equipment and back-up alarms.

To learn more about the project and sign up for construction updates, please visit itdprojects.org/us-93improvements.

As part of Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative, the 2021 Idaho Legislature dedicated $126 million of one-time funds from Idaho’s budget surplus to transportation projects statewide. The funds were split 60/40 between ITD and local jurisdictions. Construction on this project is paid for with ITD’s portion of the funds that will accelerate projects to replace bridges, restore pavements, and improve mobility in communities across Idaho.

Restrictions in place next week for inspection of Hansen Bridge on SH-50

Image of under bridge inspection truck (UBIT) Kenny

On Wednesday (June 1) drivers can expect a lane restriction and delays on State Highway 50 across the Hansen Bridge as the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) performs a routine inspection of the structure.

Weather permitting, the inspection is expected to last one day and will include examination of the girders as well as the top and underside of the bridge deck.

“Our crew will be using an under bridge inspection truck, or UBIT, to look at the structure,” ITD inspector Toby Griffin stated. “If high wind conditions occur during our planned inspection date, it will require us to reschedule for another day.”

Crews are expected to begin at 8 a.m. and move from the south end of the structure to the north. While the UBIT is deployed, traffic will be reduced to a single lane. Drivers should watch for flaggers and expect minor delays of up to 10 minutes. There will also be a 12-foot width restriction in effect during work hours.

“The Hansen Bridge is a vital structure in the region and serves as an important connector for motorists each day,” Griffin said. “Inspections and routine maintenance projects play an important role in ensuring the longevity of our bridges throughout the state.”

Motorists are urged to use caution when crossing the bridge and to watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the patience and cooperation of those driving through the work zone.