The Idaho Transportation Department will shift traffic on Karcher Road (State Highway 55) Thursday night from the Middleton Road intersection through the Midway Road intersection as part of ongoing efforts to widen it to four lanes. Traffic will move to the newly paved temporary shoulder to allow crews to work on the existing lanes of the highway in the coming months.
Drivers can expect:
- Nighttime work from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- SH-55 reduced to one lane with flaggers at night
- Permanent removal of the acceleration and deacceleration lanes at both intersections
Karcher Road will keep two lanes of traffic during the daytime with a center turn lane available at intersections. When complete, the highway will feature four lanes and dedicated turn lanes at intersections. The public can expect to see the closure of all acceleration and deacceleration lanes on Karcher Road by next year.
“We will need to shift traffic regularly to keep everyone moving while we widen the highway. Please be aware of your surroundings and drive with caution,” Project Manager Justin Wolf said. “Your safety and the safety of our workers depends on it.”
This work is part of the SH-55, Farmway Road to Middleton Road project, a larger effort to increase mobility and safety along the corridor in Canyon County. When construction is complete in 2027, improvements will include:
- Four lanes with dedicated left and right turn lanes at major intersections, including wider shoulders.
- A raised median from 10th Avenue to Middleton Road with right-in-right-out-left-in access at mid-mile intersections.
- A separated 10-foot bicycle and pedestrian pathway on the north and south sides of SH-55, and a pedestrian undercrossing east of 10th Avenue near Vallivue Middle School.
- Upgraded signal equipment at major intersections to allow for better timing between signals.
- Sound walls at Crestwood Estates, Fieldcrest Village and Lakeview Apartments.
- The Karcher View frontage road west of 10th Avenue on the north side of the highway.
To stay informed and get the latest information about the project and its traffic impacts visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/55Farmway or text 55Farmway to 1-866-483-8422. For questions, contact the project team at (208) 477-1379. Maps and other details can also be found on the project website.