Idaho Transportation Board puts new money to work across Idaho

LEWISTON – The Idaho Transportation Board approved dozens of new road projects across every corner of the state Wednesday afternoon (May 19) during its regular monthly meeting in Lewiston. The projects include $350 million in construction work that is expected to begin sometime next year.

Many of the projects are part of Idaho Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” transportation funding solution.

“Idaho is the fastest growing state in the nation. To keep up with the demands of a fast-growing state, our historic transportation funding solution helps save Idahoans’ time, keeps us safe on our roads, and makes our state’s economy even stronger,” Governor Little said. “I appreciate the Idaho Transportation Board for acting quickly to put these new funds to work.”

Projects approved today that are ready now include $170 million of Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds to expand Idaho State Highway 16 from its current location at US-20/26 (Chinden Blvd.) to Interstate 84. The board also dedicated $37 million of TECM funds to expand US-20/26 to four lanes from Middleton Road to I-84. Both projects should be under construction next year and will likely be bonded.

In addition, the board approved about $140 million in projects with one-time funds from the Building Idaho’s Future program, along with federal and state COVID Relief funds. This statewide group of projects is focused on critical maintenance and safety needs for highways and bridges from Ashton in eastern Idaho, to the Magic Valley and north to Wallace.

Check this link to see the full list of projects approved across the state.

“We want to thank the Idaho Legislature and Governor for one of the most significant transportation investments in state history,” said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad. “Our goal as a board is to be great stewards of this funding. We will work with the department to pick the projects across Idaho that will have the greatest return on investment in improving safety, increasing mobility and addressing Idaho’s rapid growth.”

In addition to $350 million in construction that will begin next year, the board also approved nearly $170 million for project development. This includes environmental planning, design and right-of-way acquisition.

“Project development is very important. The Board wants the department to have projects ready for the Building Idaho’s Future program and to be constantly advancing additional work for any future federal or state funding opportunities,” said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad. “It is our goal to put the money to work as soon as it becomes available.”

The TECM fund was increased to $80 million through House Bill 362 signed by Governor Little earlier this month. The Idaho Transportation Department will leverage those ongoing funds into a Building Idaho’s Future bonding program that could yield as much as $1.6 billion. The goal is to have major safety and expansion corridors financed over the next six to eight years with the bond proceeds.

ITD staff will present potential projects and corridors to include in the bonding program to the Idaho Transportation Board by the end of this year.

I-84 Chip Seal Project From Broadway to Blacks Creek Road to begin May 22

This spring, crews will chip seal the travel lanes of I-84 between the Broadway and Blacks Creek Road Interchanges as well as the on and off ramps at Broadway, Gowen, Eisenman, and Blacks Creek. Work is expected to begin May 22 and is anticipated to be complete in mid-June.

Chip sealing, also called seal coating, maximizes the taxpayers’ investment by extending the lifespan of the pavement. A sticky slurry is sprayed on the pavement, rock chips are applied on top of the slurry for a long-lasting seal. Hot, daytime temperatures are needed to ensure a successful application.

Reduced speeds are required on fresh chip seals to protect rock chips from flying up, causing potential damage to vehicles and windshields. Before the end of each working day, crews will sweep up loose chips on all lanes.

Motorists should expect delays in the work zone along I-84 and between Exits 64 and 54 as traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Additionally, there will be lane closures on Gowen Road (up to Technology Way) and Blacks Creek Road near I-84. This project will require intermittent ramp closures. Detours will be signed. Check 511 for current and scheduled closures.

“The work zone for this project will be moving around quite a bit,” said ITD Project Manager Patrick Kelly. “Please check 511 regularly. Drive attentively and follow posted speed limits and detour signage. We want to get in, complete the work well, and get out as quickly as possible to limit our impacts.”

Work is anticipated to begin on May 22. Expect preliminary staging and traffic control setup on Friday, May 21. Work will be performed on the Eisenman, Gowen, and Broadway Interchanges on the weekends to reduce effects on weekday traffic per the following schedule:

May 22, 23 Project Start @ Eisenman Interchange
May 29, 30 Detours @ Gowen Interchange
June 12, 13 Detours @ Broadway Interchange
June 20 Work substantially complete

For more info visit the project website: ITDprojects.org/BroadwayToEisenman/

For updated traffic information on ramp closures and detours, call 511 or go to the 511 website at 511.idaho.gov/, which also host webcams showing traffic status at the Eisenman Interchange and Broadway Interchange.

I-84 exit and portion of ID-25 west of Paul to close for 10 days starting Tuesday

Exit 201 on Interstate 84 will close on Tuesday (May 18) for ten days as construction begins to resurface eight miles of Idaho Highway 25 from the I-84 interchange to Paul.

All ramps at Exit 201 and ID-25 underneath the interstate will be closed from May 18 through May 27* to allow for crews to reconstruct the roadway. Drivers on I-84 will need to use Exits 194 or 208 during this time. County roads will not be affected.

Download a photo of the updated project flyer.

“Closing the ramps and a small section of ID-25 underneath the interstate will allow our crews to safely and efficiently complete work in the area,” ITD Project Manager Sam Purser said. “This project will provide a better driving surface for motorists and help extend the life of the roadway.”

Work on ID-25 north of the interchange will also start on Monday (May 17). This work will reduce the highway to one lane during working hours, which are scheduled Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Outside of working hours, all lanes will be open.

Construction will take until August to complete.

*This closure was originally expected to take place from May 15 through May 25 but will now occur at a later date. Residents may have received a postcard with the original anticipated dates.

ID-55 Construction Transitions to Summer Schedule in Coming Weeks

Starting May 17, road closures on ID-55 between Smiths Ferry and the Rainbow Bridge will shift to a new schedule: Monday through Thursday, 12 – 2 p.m. Please note that opening times may change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as equipment, weather and daily blasting results. Outside of the closure window, the road will be one-way alternating traffic with a 15-minute delay. This will continue through May 27, the end of the spring schedule.

For Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 28, through Monday, May 31, the road will be fully open to two-way traffic.

The summer schedule will start Tuesday, June 1. ID-55 will be reduced to one-lane alternating traffic Monday through early Friday and then will be fully open to two-way traffic through Sunday. This schedule will be in place through early September.

Visit itdprojects.org/ID55smithsferry for more information or to sign up for email and text alerts, or call (833) 913-ID55 to speak to a project representative

New railroad overpass on ID-41 opens tomorrow

Railroad overpass for northbound traffic on ID-41 nearly complete

The first of two bridges over the railroad on Idaho Highway 41 north of Hayden Avenue will open tomorrow. Work on the overpass began in June of 2020 and completing this structure is a major milestone in the effort to expand the highway to four lanes between Post Falls and Rathdrum.

With the bridge ready for use, traffic on ID-41 will shift from the existing roadway to the newly paved lanes between Prairie Avenue and Wyoming Avenue.

“Opening this first bridge is critical to moving on to the next phase of the project,” ITD Project Manager Mason Palmer said. “Now we can start building the second bridge and continue upgrading intersections.”

Immediately following the opening of the bridge, the closure of Hayden Avenue east of ID-41 will be lifted, but west of ID-41 the road will close until early August. Lancaster Road east of ID-41 will also close for that same timeframe. Local detours will be posted.

Intersections throughout the corridor will be partially closed during construction to allow crews to add capacity, update signals or install turning restrictions. Drivers are encouraged to sign up for email updates at itdprojects.org/id41corridor.

View specific plans at each intersection.

Paving operations have not yet begun for the southern half of the project, which kicked off earlier this year. Crews are currently in the process of relocating utilities and building the base of the future roadway.

“Generally speaking, we will build a new set of lanes to the east, switch traffic over to those lanes, and then rebuild the existing roadway,” Palmer said. “What drivers have historically traveled on will become two southbound lanes, and the two new lanes will carry northbound traffic.”

Traffic conditions and progress will vary throughout the corridor, but all work is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2022. Improvements total $51.5 million, with another $5.7 million contributed by the cities of Post Falls and Rathdrum.

Comment period open for the I-86/I-15 system interchange project in Pocatello

POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has opened a two week comment period to the public on recent project updates to the I-86/I-15 System Interchange project.

The public can now comment on the system interchange project updates which include but are not limited to: a new separated pedestrian/bicycle pathway east of the interstate; construction detour information; project FAQs and other proposed improvements.

The community can utilize an interactive map showing the project details and proposed improvements before submitting their comments. The comment period is open now through Monday, May 24.

Project construction will begin in 2022 with plans of interchange completion in 2025.

For project information, updates and to comment please visit:

https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-86-i-15-system-interchange/

Overnight closure on I-84 between Eagle Road and I-184 Monday for utility work

Interstate 84 will be closed between Eagle Road and I-184 (The Connector) for three hours overnight Monday, May 10^th to allow Idaho Power crews to work over the roadway.

Idaho Power will be stringing new power lines adjacent to Cloverdale Road. To safely work over I-84, the utility company will install a net over the highway. The installation will require daytime work on the shoulder. Then, from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. on May 10^th, I-84 will be closed as crews erect the netting.

During the closure, I-84 traffic will be diverted to local roads. Eastbound traffic will exit at Eagle Road (Exit 46), travel along Overland Road, and re-enter the Interstate at Cole/Overland (Exit 50). Westbound I-84 and I-184 traffic will be detoured at Cole/Overland and Franklin Road (Exit 1) respectively. They will travel on Franklin Road and re-enter the Interstate at Eagle Road.

The Ada County Highway District will be actively managing signal timing on Overland and Franklin Roads during the closure to maximize the efficiency of those routes. ITD recommends the traveling public plan trips around the closure time or anticipate significant delays through the closure area.

Idaho Power estimates placing the new lines will take 8-10 days. A second closure of the Interstate will be required when that work is complete to remove the netting.

For questions about Idaho Power’s project, contact Sven Berg, Idaho Power Corporate Communications Specialist, at sberg@idahopower.com or (208) 388-2905.

Public invited to view final design and construction plans next week for US-93, 300 South roadway project in Jerome County

Map view of US-93 expansion project in Jerome County

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host a public meeting for the US-93, 300 South project to share the latest information about plans to expand US-93 to four lanes between 200 South and 400 South in Jerome County. This will be the fourth and final expansion of US-93 in the area and will provide a safer roadway for commercial and non-commercial vehicles.

The meeting will be held in an open house format on Wednesday, May 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game, Magic Valley Regional Office located at 324 South 417 East in Jerome. Members of the public are invited to drop in anytime during the open house to view display boards and talk with the project team.

In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, the number of attendees will be limited to 50 people at one time. ITD personnel will adhere to best practices during the public meeting and requests that individuals who attend follow recommended guidance relating to COVID-19.

An online version of the meeting will also be available for those who cannot attend on May 12. The online meeting will be available from May 13 to 27 on the project website at: itdprojects.org/projects/us-93-300-south-road.

Individuals who are not feeling well are encouraged to participate in the online meeting instead of attending in person.

Comments will be accepted through June 4, 2021.

Attending the public open house is not a requirement for submitting a comment. Comments can also be submitted via:

Email:    Nathan.Jerke@itd.idaho.gov
Online:   itdprojects.org/projects/us-93-300-south-road
Mail:      Idaho Transportation Department
Attn: Nathan Jerke
216 South Date Street
Shoshone, ID 83352

For more information on project specifics, please contact the ITD Project Manager by emailing Nathan.Jerke@itd.idaho.gov or calling 208-886-7809.

Northside Boulevard Interchange at Interstate 84 will fully open on Sunday morning (May 9)

The Northside Boulevard interchange will be fully opened to motorists on Sunday morning, May 9 at 6 a.m. ITD began construction on the interchange in July 2019 and will reopen on schedule.

The Northside Boulevard Interchange has been replaced with a Single-Point Urban Interchange or SPUI design to accommodate more traffic and reduce delays.

The new SPUI interchange includes:

A central traffic signal underneath I-84 that will direct all turning movements from a single point.
New sidewalks and bicycle lanes added to both sides of Northside Boulevard.
Flattened on- and off-ramps to improve visibility for vehicles accessing I-84.
New ADA curb ramps at the intersection of 6th Street and Northside Boulevard.

ITD will open the new lanes of I-84 between Karcher Interchange and Franklin Boulevard on Tuesday morning, May 11. Motorists will have three lanes in each direction and a new auxiliary lane between the ramps.

“ITD would like to thank the community for their patience during the construction of this important project,” said Mark Campbell, ITD Project Manager. “Heads up, there are still final cleanup activities in the area over the next few weeks as construction crews finish the project. We ask motorists to continue to slow down and pay attention in the work zone.”

To request text message updates about other major traffic impacts on I-84 in Canyon County, text 84CORRIDOR to 1-866-ITD-84CC. For details about the I-84 expansion in Canyon County, visit itdprojects.org/84corridor or listen to the monthly Drive Idaho podcast.

Closure Wednesday night on portions of Interstate 84 Exit 168 in Jerome County

Weather permitting, controlled blasting is expected to occur the night of Wednesday, May 5 near Interstate 84 between Twin Falls and Jerome. This is part of the Idaho Transportation Department’s (ITD) interstate rehabilitation project that has been underway since May of last year to provide a smoother and safer roadway.

For the safety of drivers, traffic must be stopped in the surrounding area while blasting occurs within the ITD right of way. Traffic on I-84 will not be impacted, but drivers will not be able to take the eastbound off ramp at Exit 168 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. as it will be closed. A section of South Lincoln Road will also be closed during this time.

Carefully controlled blasting is necessary for the construction of a new stormwater pond in the area.

“This operation will have a brief impact to traffic,” stated ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé. “We are prepared for a closure of three hours but may be able to open the roadways sooner than that.”

After blasting, crews will ensure the roadway is safe and free of all debris before reopening to traffic.

Dillé explains that timing of this work is very important.

“We have to blast during daylight hours, but we are very conscious of the impact it will have on drivers, which is why we are blasting in the evening after peak hours.”

ITD is asking motorists to consider alternate routes while this activity is underway. Electronic message boards and signage will be placed in the area in advance of the event.

Western Construction of Boise is the general contractor on this project that is expected to be complete in July.