Operation Safe Holiday: don’t drive impaired

The holidays are here and while celebrations may look different this year, keeping our communities safe remains a top priority. That is why law enforcement agencies are working together to keep impaired drivers off Idaho roads.

The ITD Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is partnering with 53 law enforcement agencies statewide to increase impaired-driving enforcement and education from Dec. 11 to Jan. 3, 2021, surrounding the holiday season. The statewide campaign is part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization.

“Increased messaging at both the state and national level on the dangers of impaired driving, combined with increased enforcement, is part of a joint effort to prevent DUI related crashes,” said OHS Grants Officer Lisa Losness.

In 2019 there were 238 impaired driving crashes that resulted in fatalities and suspected serious injuries, an increase of 27% from 2018. Last year 6% of all crashes involved impaired driving but resulted in 44% of all crash-related fatalities.

“The consequences of driving impaired tend to be severe,” said OHS Manager John Tomlinson. “It is a serious crime that puts Idahoans at risk every single day, and it is absolutely preventable.”

The consequences of a single DUI conviction for a first-time offender in Idaho can include costly fines, court costs, legal fees, jail time, and license suspension.

“We ask all Idahoans to please drive safely this holiday season,” reiterated Tomlinson. “We want everyone to make it home safely, so please designate a sober driver.”

What can you do?

Plan your safe ride home before you leave
If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel
If you drink, do not drive. Call a taxi, a ride-share service, or a sober friend
Always buckle up – it’s your best defense against impaired drivers

If you see an impaired driver on the road, call *477(*ISP) or call 911. Your actions could help save someone’s life.

Funding for extra traffic patrols is provided by a grant from OHS through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Idaho Ready: What you need to know about the chain up law

In extreme winter weather, chains can be a helpful tool to keep you safe while driving on slushy or snow covered roads. But are they required in Idaho?

Idaho’s chain up law does not apply to most drivers on the road, or even most places you drive.

The law only applies to commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds on mountain passes, most notably on I-90 east of Coeur d’Alene and on US-12 at the Montana border.

This can be confusing, as chain laws vary by state. Neighboring states, like Washington, may require passenger vehicles without AWD or four-wheel drive use chains during the harshest of conditions.

In Idaho, chains are only required when conditions will prevent large vehicles from traversing grades without them, and the requirement is lifted as soon as possible to limit damage to the road. Operators with the Idaho Transportation Department activate special roadside signs alerting truck drivers to chain up as needed during the winter.

Some commercial vehicles, like logging trucks, tow trucks, and school buses are exempt from the law.

If the chain up law is in effect, then all drivers should be prepared for snowy conditions. Stay on top of road conditions or closures by visiting 511.idaho.gov or downloading the Idaho 511 app.

Four lanes of Chinden Boulevard, from Locust Grove to Eagle Road, will open by Friday

The Idaho Transportation Department will open four lanes of Chinden Boulevard from Locust Grove to Eagle Road to traffic this Friday, marking a major milestone in the ChindenWest Corridor project.

The widening of this section of Chinden from two lanes to four began this spring. This is the second segment of the ChindenWest project to finish this year. Idaho 16 to Linder Road was completed in September. Linder Road to Locust Grove will wrap up in 2021.

“With work in the corridor nearly complete, we appreciate the patience of the traveling public and nearby residents throughout construction,” said Daris Bruce, ITD District 3 Resident Engineer.

The new roadway includes four 12-foot travel lanes, two in each direction, and a detached 10-foot pathway to the south for bicyclists and pedestrians. Click here for a detailed rendering of the new design.

The ChindenWest corridor is a heavily-commuted section of U.S. 20/26 connecting I-84 and Eagle Road (ID-55). Widening to four lanes is the first of three phases for the corridor’s 2040 vision. Phase 2 will widen the highway to six lanes. Phase 3 will construct high-capacity intersections at key locations. No funding has been identified for those future phases at this time.

The project website, ITDprojects.org/ChindenWest, serves as a hub of information for the public, including videos that provide a window into the future. The one-stop-shop website includes detailed information about construction activities, anticipated traffic impacts, and the improvement designs.

Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program Seeks Public Input on Draft Federal Transit Administration DBE Methodology

The Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) program works to provide a level playing field for women-owned and minority-owned under-represented businesses on federally funded transportation design and construction projects.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is currently working on the Federal Transit Administration DBE Methodology review and approval process, and is seeking public comment on the draft proposal.

The comment period will begin Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 and ends on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021.

ITD will be holding a virtual meeting during the comment period on Thursday, Dec. 10, 4:00 – 5:30 pm (MST).

“The purpose of the virtual meeting is to provide the public information on how we determined the proposed DBE methodology and answer any questions or concerns the public may have regarding the draft proposal,” said DBE Program Coordinator Ester Ceja.

If you have any questions, concerns, or program comments contact Ester at 208.334.8567 or Ester.Ceja@itd.idaho.gov

DBE Public Comment Document

WebEx Meeting Instructions

Comment period open for proposed changes to commercial trucking limits on some Latah County highways

Centerline photo of ID-9 south of Harvard

The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting a virtual public hearing to collect comments on a proposal to reclassify several highways in Latah County as legal for commercial loads weighing up to 129,000 pounds.

In the application submitted to ITD, Bennett Lumber Products requested reclassification of the following routes due to the discontinuation of service on the Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway:

Idaho Highway 6 from the US-95 junction to Harvard
Idaho Highway 9 from Harvard to Deary
Idaho Highway 8 from Deary to the US-95 junction

These highways are currently rated for commercial loads weighing up to 105,500 pounds. Analysis by ITD subject matter experts found that allowing heavier loads on the specified routes could be accommodated without affecting safety or pavement conditions.

“There are many misconceptions about this type of trucking, so we encourage everyone to spend time on the website,” said Jan Vassar, the Idaho Transportation Board Member representing North Central Idaho. “Comments will help the board make a decision.”

The application, analysis by ITD and FAQs about 129,000-pound loads are available at itd.idaho.gov/freight. Comments are being sought until December 21 and can be submitted in the following ways:

via idaho.gov/freight
by emailing officeofthechiefengineer@itd.idaho.gov
mailed to P.O. Box 7129, Boise, Idaho 83707 to the attention of Scott Luekenga
recorded by calling (855) 785-2499

Commenters can also call ITD Freight Program Manager Scott Luekenga at (208) 334-8057 with questions.

The department is required to conduct an analysis and public hearing on all requests to operate 129,000-pound loads on the state highway system before the Idaho Transportation Board makes a final decision. The board could make a decision as early as January after reviewing comments.

Idaho Ready: Pack your winter car emergency kit

Winter weather has arrived in Idaho and it’s time to be Idaho Ready on the road. One way you can do that? Keep an emergency kit in your car this winter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KLR09HEuyM

You want to be prepared for anything that comes your way, so here are a few things you should always have with you when traveling.

Flashlight — make sure the batteries work
Jumper cables — in case your car won’t start, or maybe you need to help someone else
Kitty litter can give you some traction if your tires are spinning on ice
Chains
Small shovel to dig out around your tires or tailpipe
Flares and a first aid kit
Food and water — pack high protein snacks that will fill you and your family up for a while
Anything to keep you warm — a blanket or a small sleeping bag, winter coat, gloves, hat, and waterproof boots
Ice scraper

If you run off the road, break down, or simply get stuck during a storm, these items will help keep you warm and safe until help arrives. Remember, always let someone know about your travel plans, especially if you’ll be driving through areas with no cell service. Check the latest road conditions at 511.idaho.gov before you leave.

Idaho Ready: Winter driving insight from ITD’s snow plow operators

In Idaho you have to be prepared for all sorts of winter weather, and that means being Idaho Ready to drive safely. The Idaho Transportation Department wants drivers to have the knowledge and resources to do that, before they hit the road. Read the messages below to gain some winter driving insight from ITD’s own snow plow operators.

Westbound ramp closure tomorrow at the Salt Lake Interchange

Image of traffic pattern change at Salt Lake Interchange

The westbound off-ramp at Exit 1 on Interstate 86 at the Salt Lake Interchange is expected to be closed tomorrow (Dec. 3) from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Motorists heading west from Pocatello to Salt Lake will need to take Exit 216 at the Declo Interchange and re-enter I-84 toward Salt Lake. Eastbound traffic will not be affected by this closure.

Click here to see an image of the traffic pattern.

“This is follow-up work in connection to the closure that occurred late last month. It will be a short duration closure that will allow us to smooth the asphalt on the off-ramp,” Project Manager Travis Hitchcock said. “The asphalt work and additional signage installation are the remaining items left for this project.”

Drivers are urged to pay close attention to signage and message boards that will direct them through the area.

Wadsworth Brothers Construction of Draper, Utah, is the primary contractor on this project that involves replacement of an aging interchange with a new structure that will better serve motorists in the region.

ITD upgrades street lights in Ada County, saving thousands of dollars

The Idaho Transportation Department has finished upgrading the street lights in Ada County from high pressure sodium bulbs to more efficient LED fixtures, saving an estimated 50% annually in energy costs.

In total, 537 fixtures were upgraded on the state highway system across the county. These lights are often installed on freeway ramps, signalized intersections, or underneath bridges.

“LED technology is superior to the old sodium lights in many ways,” said Justin Price, Traffic Manager for ITD’s Southwest Idaho Office. “They are cheaper to operate and maintain, and they have a longer life span. They also produce a whiter light, which improves visibility to drivers.”

LED offers several economic and ecological advantages over high pressure sodium (HPS). The lifespan of an LED can be up to four times longer than HPS, meaning less physical waste. HPS bulbs cast light in all directions, while LEDs are restricted to 180 degrees, making them more efficient at lighting what we want lit. HPSs need to be regularly monitored as they age, whereas LEDs are near-bulletproof, requiring fewer trips in the maintenance truck.

The cost to replace these fixtures was $450 each. ITD has started to make these upgrades for the street lights in Canyon County as well and plan to have them completed over the next two years.

Detour in place this week on Idaho Highway 46 in Twin Falls County

Work is expected to begin tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 1) on a culvert placement along Idaho Highway 46 north of Buhl from milepost 87 to 88. In addition to the culvert work, maintenance crews will also add material to the shoulder of the highway.

“This area currently has an open ditch with a steep slope,” ITD Foreman Phil Etchart said. “Adding a culvert will allow us to build out the shoulder which will help improve the safety of motorists by providing a buffer between the roadway and side vegetation.”

Adding material to shoulders also improves drainage and helps prevent moisture from seeping under the roadway and causing damage during freezing temperatures.

A detour will be in place for through traffic during working hours – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Northbound motorists will be diverted at the intersection of ID-46 and 4300 N. Southbound motorists will be diverted at the intersection of ID-46 and 4400 N.

Signs will be in place to direct drivers through the detour. Motorists are encouraged to slow down and watch for flaggers and equipment in the area.

Work is expected to be complete within the week.