Lanes to be reduced on westbound Interstate 84 starting Wednesday for Port of Entry project east of Declo

This Wednesday, westbound Interstate 84 will be reduced to a single lane from milepost 216 – 220. This reduction is expected to be in place for 10 days so crews can perform work relating to construction of the new Port of Entry facility east of Declo.

“We are at the beginning stages of this construction project which will relocate the Cotterel Port of Entry to a new site that provides a safer traveling experience for all drivers,” said ITD Project Manager Sam Purser.

The new location on I-84 will facilitate more efficient trucking operations through advanced technology and will meet current federal compliance standards.

Elements of the new facility will include: new westbound on and off ramps, support of utility infrastructure, scales with weigh-in-motion and automated vehicle identification technologies, video equipment, lighting, signage and operations office buildings.

“Most of the work will occur off the interstate and have minimal impacts to traffic,” stated Purser. “Some work, however, will require us to reduce lanes along I-84 in order to tie the newly constructed infrastructure into the interstate.”

Motorists are advised to check 511 before traveling for updated traffic impacts.

Knife River is the general contractor on this project that is expected to be complete next summer.

Idaho Transportation Department kicks off Work Zone Awareness Week: April 26-30

BOISE – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is joining states across the country to promote National Work Zone Awareness Week April 26-30, 2021. The national and state campaigns are designed to raise awareness and educate the public about the safety measures we can all take in work zones, and how we are all responsible for work zone safety.

In 2020 Idaho saw 753 crashes in work zones resulting in five deaths, stressing the need for this year’s campaign: Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.

“Because work zones are congested and busy it’s so important that drivers stay alert and avoid distractions,” said Idaho State Police Trooper Tauna Davis. “In a work zone, the margin for error shrinks. With workers alongside the roadway, consequences of distracted driving can be especially serious, and none of us want that.”

For over 20 years, National Work Zone Awareness Week has been held in April at the traditional start of construction season when highway projects increase. This year, ITD is using its Facebook and Instagram accounts in lieu of public events to remind everyone that construction workers are our neighbors, family members, and friends.

“Watching for signs and following the direction they give us is what keeps all of us safe in work zones,” said Idaho State Police Corporal Scott Bolen. “The people in the work zones, from flaggers to engineers and equipment operators, are working to make the road safer and they count on all of us to keep them safe by slowing down and following the direction of signs and barriers. If we just stay focused and patient through a work zone, we’ll all be safely on our way.”

Since 1960, 40 workers have lost their lives on the job in Idaho. Every one of the fallen workers left behind family, friends, and co-workers who miss them to this day.

Though workers are often victims of work zone crashes, the dangers of reckless and distracted driving more often affect those behind the wheel. According to the Federal Highway Administration, four out of five work zone fatalities were drivers or passengers. Generally, crashes occur when drivers speed through a work zone or do not pay attention to the changing road conditions and drive off the road, or run into other vehicles, highway equipment, or safety barriers.

How can you help?

Work zone crashes are preventable. The top three causes of crashes are following too closely, speeding, and distracted driving.

When approaching a work zone please remember to:

Slow Down – drive the posted speed limits

Pay Attention – both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic

Plan Ahead – Check 511.idaho.gov before you go to plan your route. Expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible

“Every highway worker out there is someone’s parent, child, spouse, sibling, or friend,” reiterated ITD’s Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney. “Their job is to maintain and enhance our traveling experience while keeping everyone safe while doing so. As drivers we all should be work zone safe because they deserve to return home each day to their loved ones.”

I-84 Safety Service Patrol continues through the I-84 work zone to Caldwell

New signage on a patrol truck for the I-84 work zone

The Idaho Transportation Department launched the next phase of a safety patrol and courtesy towing service on Interstate 84 this week. The service, which was introduced in 2019 in Nampa, will now include the I-84 construction zones in Caldwell.

The Safety Services Patrol provides complimentary towing for disabled vehicles in the I-84 construction zone. The service has assisted 274 vehicles since it began.

“I-84 is the main commuting and freight route for thousands of drivers in Canyon County,” said Mark Campbell, ITD project manager. “Our goal in funding this service is to keep these drivers moving as safely and efficiently as possible as construction moves west toward Caldwell.”

Patrol vehicles will operate Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. between 10th Ave/City Center (exit 29) and Karcher/Midland Road (exit 33). Vehicles will be marked with new signage to increase visibility.

Disabled cars, trucks or motorcycles are towed to one of four locations located on the map. Motorists are responsible to arrange transportation for their vehicle within 24 hours.

“We are committed to continuing the close working relationship between this program, our state communications office and Idaho State Police in the next phase of the program,” said Campbell. “These offices, working together, are able to clear crashes quickly and safely.”

Crews recently began constructing temporary travel lanes in the outside shoulders of I-84 between Caldwell and Nampa. For more information about I-84 construction in Canyon County, listen to the Drive Idaho podcast or visit itdprojects.org/84corridor.

Eastbound lanes to close tonight on Chinden at the Linder intersection

Graphic of the closure of Chinden at Linder

As part of ongoing construction to widen Chinden in the Treasure Valley, several eastbound lanes on Chinden will close tonight at the Linder intersection and stay closed until construction on this segment ends later this summer.

Flaggers will reduce eastbound Chinden to one dedicated left turn lane and one through/right turn lane so crews can place traffic signal poles. Westbound traffic will not be affected, but eastbound motorists should expect significant delays at peak travel time and allow extra time to reach their destinations.

Download a graphic of the closure.

This configuration will remain in place until later this summer when work on this segment is anticipated to end. At that time, Chinden will open to four lanes, two in each direction, with a center median between Linder and Meridian Road.

To learn more about other widening plans in the corridor and sign up for updates, visit itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Reconstruction of Idaho Highway 13 east of Grangeville begins May 3

Idaho Highway 13 east of Grangeville will undergo construction this summer. Work will resurface the highway, replace drains and address soft spots.

Repairs to ID-13 from milepost 1 to 7—which does not include Harpster Grade—will start on May 3 and will last through mid-July.

Drivers should be prepared for delays up to thirty minutes while crews are on site. During daylight hours, a pilot car will guide one lane of traffic through the zone. The highway will open up to two lanes at night and on the weekends, but traffic will still be slowed by the gravel surface.

“Construction will be short but intense,” ITD Resident Engineer Joe Schacher said. “It’s desperately needed, so we were able to move up construction from 2022 to this year.”

Community members are invited to stop by an informal open house at Grangeville City Hall at 225 West North Street on Wednesday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn more.

Poe Asphalt will complete the repairs for $3.3 million, with work inspected by Jacobs.

I-84 bridge repairs to begin next week in Gooding, Jerome, Minidoka and Cassia counties

Repairs to structures along I-84 in South-central Idaho are expected to begin Monday, April 26.

Over the coming months, ITD will resurface thirteen bridges and nine overpasses, as well as perform other minor maintenance activities, to keep them in service longer. For most bridges, traffic will be reduced to one lane. As work shifts from one bridge to another, traffic patterns will also change. Drivers should expect reduced speeds throughout the area and watch for crews during working hours.

Two overpasses in Minidoka County will be completely closed during construction.

“The overpasses at 500 West and Meridian Road will be closed for about three weeks, but not at the same time,” ITD project manager Bruce Christensen said. “These detours are expected in late May and mid-June.”

As those closures approach, another release will be sent.

Closing the two overpasses will allow crews to complete work sooner, reducing project costs and lessening the overall impacts to travelers.

Construction on all bridges is expected to be finished by October of this year. The general contractor is Cannon Builders.

Subcommittee for the Idaho Transportation Board to review reclassification of Idaho County highways on Thursday

The Idaho Transportation Board 129,000 Pound Route Subcommittee will meet Thursday, April 22 to review an application to reclassify the weight limits of several highways in Idaho County. After review, the subcommittee could provide a recommendation to the Idaho Transportation Board, which will make a final decision on the reclassification, or require further analysis by the department.

The subcommittee will convene at 12:15 p.m. PT / 1:15 p.m. MT in Jerome to discuss engineering analysis completed by department staff and comments received during the public hearing process.

The meeting will be held at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game office at 324 South 417 East, but members of the public may participate remotely via instructions located on the agenda. Since this meeting will be held after the Idaho Transportation Board meeting, participants should be prepared for any scheduling changes.

Public comments were sought in March and April on the application submitted by KBC Trucking to increase the limits on the following highways from 105,500 pounds to 129,000 pounds:

Idaho Highway 13 from the KBC Trucking yard at milepost 24.4 to its intersection of US-12 outside of Kooskia
US-12 from Kooskia to Kamiah
Idaho Highway 162 from Kamiah to its intersection with Old Highway 7

The applicant has also requested the use of Old Highway 7 from its intersections with ID-162 and US-95. This route is not being evaluated by ITD as it is under the jurisdiction of the Greencreek Highway District, Union Independent Highway District and Grangeville Highway District.

No further public comment will be taken at the subcommittee meeting.

The application, analysis by ITD and FAQs about 129,000-pound loads are available at itd.idaho.gov/freight.

A final decision by the Idaho Transportation Board could be made as early as the next regular board meeting on May 19.

“Trucker Matt” helps keep I-90 clean as spring reveals trash covered by winter snows

A long-haul driver who goes by the name “Trucker Matt” has taken it upon himself to clean a stretch of Interstate 90 when his travels take him daily on the heavily traveled north Idaho freeway linking Idaho to Montana and Washington State.

Matthew Culver hauls cedar bark from Naples, Idaho to Superior, Montana. He has been driving truck since retiring from the Marine Corps in 1999. He has owned his own truck, and his own company, since 2007.

Culver has driven the route daily, year-round, for about 4.5 years, and officially signed on with ITD’s Adopt-A-Highway litter pickup program about two years ago. Since then he has picked up about 90 bags of litter from the stretch of freeway.

“I not only clean up Fourth of July Summit, but all over on the route in any wide spot where a truck can safely park,” Culver said. “Fourth of July Pass is my primary objective since it seems to get the most trash, but I also clean up the Idaho Port of Entry roadside temporary inspection location in East Hope at Denton Slough and occasionally Lookout Pass Summit.” He said he and his wife will often bring back a bag of trash from wherever their hiking and fishing adventures take them.

“Wherever Matt goes and whatever he does, he continually looks for ways to make a positive difference,” D1 Volunteer Services Coordinator Robin Karsann said.

Culver’s time in the military made him appreciate cleanliness.

“Having served 25 years in the Marine Corps, I never like seeing an unsightly area with trash strew about everywhere. Besides, Idaho and Montana are just too beautiful to see trash along the road.”

He said it is very rewarding when he sees a clean stretch of highway where litter once was.

“I get dejected when I see trash on the roadside, but when I take action, I feel that I’ve made a positive difference in keeping roads clean and pleasing to the eye.”

Culver said he would love to see more people get involved in keeping our roads clear of debris.

“You can make it a spring and fall event for your business or family. It’s great advertisement for your business and you can honor and memorialize a lost loved one or veteran.”

“I urge others to get involved by contacting your local Idaho DOT office and sign up. The Idaho Transportation Department will provide trash bags and safety vests. Not only have I benefited in getting exercise by picking up trash, and experienced the rewarding feeling of making a difference, I have also collected thousands of dollars in excellent-condition tire chains, bungee cords, hand tools, and more all left abandoned by truckers. It’s a win-win-win situation.”

Culver Enterprises is one of the 242 organizations in District 1 that participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program. Some have made it a long-term commitment.

“What amazes me about being a Volunteer Services Coordinator for District 1 is to see the faithfulness and longevity of participation our volunteers show year after year,” said Karsann. “Several groups have been participants for more than 20 years.”

Here’s the list of Adopt-a-Highway coordinators around the state:

District 1 | Counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone

Judi Conner | PO Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707-1129 | Phone: 208 334-8094

District 2 | Counties: Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce

Kelsie Corder | P.O. Box 837, Lewiston, Idaho 83501-0837 | Phone: 208-799-4207

District 3 | Counties: Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington

Judi Conner | PO Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707-1129 | Phone: 208 334-8094

District 4 | Counties: Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls

Wendy Robinson | 126 S. Date Street, Shoshone, ID 83352 | Phone: 208 886-7831

District 5 | Counties: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power

Judi Conner | PO Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707-1129 | Phone: 208 334-8094

District 6 | Counties: Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Custer, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton

Erika Turner | PO Box 97, Rigby, ID 83442-0097 | Phone: 208 745-5612

Connect to Disconnect during Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is joining other state highway safety offices and law enforcement agencies across the country to keep our communities safe with engaged driving. This is part of a nationwide effort called Connect to Disconnect.

Thursday, April 8 officers across the country will commit a four-hour shift to targeting distracted driving. In addition, April 19 – 30, more than 60 law enforcement agencies throughout Idaho will work with OHS to dedicate patrols to enforcing Idaho’s new hands-free law.

“April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and we urge Idahoans to join us by agreeing to disconnect from your phone, put it away while you are behind the wheel, and drive engaged,” said OHS Manager John Tomlinson.

According to OHS data, between 2015 and 2019 there were more than 25,000 distracted driving crashes in Idaho killing 237 people. Nationally, distracted driving was a factor in nine percent of all traffic fatalities in 2019 – in Idaho, it was 16 percent.

To help improve safety on our roads, the Idaho legislature passed the hands-free law last year, banning the use of handheld electronic devices while driving – even while temporarily stopped at a red light or stop sign. Officers spent the second half of 2020 educating drivers about the new law and in January they began issuing citations.

“Inattentive driving is illegal and dangerous,” Tomlinson said. “If you need to use your phone’s GPS, enter the address in before you start driving. Check out Bluetooth options for your car so you can talk hands-free, and if you have to read or send a text, pull over and park the car. Choose to leave the distractions behind, stay focused on the road, and drive engaged so you can help save lives.”

For more information visit shift-idaho.org.

Bridge inspection to take place next week on Interstate 84 near Jerome

Image of ITD under-bridge inspection truck

Drivers can expect additional lane restrictions near Jerome next week as crews from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) perform a routine bridge inspection on Interstate 84.

On April 15 crews will inspect the bridge located near milepost 163. They will examine the bridge deck and deploy ITD’s under-bridge inspection truck from the eastbound lanes of I-84 and from the county road on the north side of the interstate.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane while inspections are underway. Work is expected to take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“We will begin with a left-lane closure in the I-84 eastbound lanes and then alternate to a right-lane closure as our inspection progresses,” said ITD Bridge Inspector Amy Bower. “These lane restrictions are separate from the nearby work zone between Jerome and Twin Falls, so it’s important that drivers are attentive when traveling on this section of I-84.”

Drivers are urged to exercise caution near the work zones and watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the patience and cooperation of those driving through the area.