Intermittent I-15 lane closures
Motorists can expect intermittent I-15 lane closures through the end of construction. Continue reading for details.
I-15 traffic pattern
Crews shifted I-15 traffic near the Fort Hall Interchange (Exit 80) the evening of in early October. The shift gave crews the space needed to build the new northbound lanes of I-15.
What to expect:
- Northbound I-15 traffic is the new lanes built in the median from south of the Fort Hall Interchange (Exit 80) to the Sheepskin Road Bridge.
- Southbound traffic has moved to the new southbound lanes north of the Fort Hall Interchange (Exit 80).
- Traffic is anticipated to remain in this pattern through late fall.
Bridge removal
Crews removed the abandoned railroad bridge over I-15 near the Fort Hall Interchange in late July. Thanks to good work conditions and other factors, this work was completed in just 10 days!
View the video to see the bridge demolition in action.
Construction on I-15
Crews began work to widen I-15 between the Northgate Parkway and Fort Hall interchanges (exits 73 & 80) in September 2024. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2027.
ITD is widening I-15 to three lanes in each direction to improve safety, increase capacity and modernize aging infrastructure.
Improvements include:
- Widening I-15 to three lanes in each direction.
- Improving bridges, overpasses and interchange structures.
- Constructing a barrier wall in the median.
What's happening now?
Crews have constructed the new lanes in the median, the median barrier wall and the northbound lanes on I-15. Southbound I-15 traffic is shifted into the new lanes in the median and crews are constructing the new southbound lanes of the interstate. Motorists can expect:
- Nighttime lane restrictions.
- Traffic shifts and lane changes.
- Reduced speed limits.
- Ramp work and changes at exits 73 and 80. Temporary ramps may be shorter than current ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
The design of this project included completing an environmental evaluation, gathering traffic and geotechnical information, surveying, designing improvements, and gathering input from the public, Shoshone Bannock Tribes and local jurisdictions.
Construction includes widening I-15 to three lanes in each direction and replacing machine underpass bridges and the 2 1/2 Mile Road Bridge over I-15.
Most of I-15 was constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. With the increased population and travel across eastern Idaho, it is necessary to modernize aging infrastructure and increase capacity and safety to meet the region’s travel needs along the I-15 corridor.
Construction to widen the interstate between the Northgate Interchange and Fort Hall is expected to be completed in 2027.
The construction of improvements between the Fort Hall Interchange and Blackfoot is dependent on the availability of future funding sources.
Elements of this project are funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of the Leading Idaho TECM Program. 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 on TECM funding, visit itd.idaho.gov/funding.
Timeline
-
2022-2024
Conduct environmental evaluation and develop design plans
-
2024
Construction to widen I-15 between Northgate and Fort Hall begins
-
2025
Construct the new lanes in the median of I-15 and the median wall
-
2026
Construct the new northbound lanes of I-15
-
2027
Construct the new southbound lanes of I-15
Stay in touch!
Sign up for text updates or text 15CONSTRUCTION to 1-866-483-8422.
Call (208) 252-5553
Email info@pocatellotoidahofalls.org
Check Idaho 511 for the latest traffic updates