REXBURG—The Main Street Exit for Rexburg on U.S. Highway 20 will fully close beginning next Monday. The closure at Exit 333 will allow the Idaho Transportation Department to efficiently construct a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) like the one now operating at University Boulevard (Exit 332). The closure is expected to last through the month of August.
All ramps at Exit 333, as well as Main Street between the ramps, will be closed to traffic and detoured to nearby interchanges. Through traffic on US-20 will be unaffected during construction.
Detours include Thornton (Exit 328), University Boulevard (Exit 332), and North Rexburg (Exit 337). A new permanent traffic signal will be in place and operating to aid the flow of traffic at the North Rexburg Exit prior to this closure. One-lane closures are in effect at the University Boulevard Exit while construction efforts continue there.
“We thank everyone for their patience and understanding in dealing with road construction in Rexburg this summer,” Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We really are trying to keep traffic flowing and minimize the impact on people as much as possible. There’s a lot to get done in a short amount of time and all of it will make travel in Rexburg better once it is.”
Businesses near the Main Street Exit remain open, with alternate access available and signed. Construction crews will also coordinate with emergency responders to ensure access through the closed work zone when needed.
The city of Rexburg and ITD completed a cooperative agreement during the planning phase of this project to have the contractor complete city requested work items, including a sewer repair during road construction. Crews will insert a manhole and repair a damaged sewer pipe so that additional closure for this needed infrastructure work won’t have to occur in the future.
Construction of all Rexburg US-20 interchanges is expected to be fully complete in late October. More details about this project can be found at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg.
With the catastrophic failure of Wyoming State Highway 22 over Teton Pass, the Idaho Transportation Department is cautioning Idaho drivers and tourists they must detour in order to access Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Teton Pass closure will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. ITD crews and equipment were on scene helping the Wyoming Department of Transportation when the road failed and will continue to assist as needed.
“They called immediately, we started on our side and they started on theirs,” ITD Operations Foreman Lucas Richins said. “It was a good team effort. We’re here to support on our side however we can to make it less strenuous.”
Richins said that seven ITD dump trucks hauled 80-90 loads of material from the massive landslide on Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8. The loads were taken to a turnout a few miles away until it’s determined what will happen with reconstruction and cleanup efforts.
Travelers should use State Highway 31 to U.S. Highway 26 and then turn left in Alpine onto U.S. Highway 89 toward Hoback Junction. This route means drivers should plan an additional 30-75 minutes of travel time.
ITD has placed and will continually update digital message boards along east Idaho roads warning travelers of this closure well in advance so alternate routes can be taken. SH-31 will also be monitored daily to assess effects and needs with added road usage.
Stay up to date on this closure and other road information by dialing 5-1-1, visiting 511.idaho.gov, or accessing the 511 app.
KASOTA – The I-84 Kasota interchange westbound ramp will be closed starting July 23 at 9 p.m. to July 28 at 6 p.m. for construction. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and are encouraged to find alternate routes.
Due to the proximity of construction equipment to the westbound off-ramp, crews will need to temporarily close the ramp while performing concrete paving operations for safety reasons.
Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for impacts to traffic from construction.
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.
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.
The west side intersection of US-93 and 200 South Road in Jerome County will be closed starting Monday of next week (Dec. 16). This closure will allow utilities work to occur in the area. Work is expected to be completed within the week.
Motorists will need to utilize 100 South Road or 300 South Road while this closure is in place. Drivers should be aware of crews and equipment while traveling through the area. US-93 will remain fully open during this time.
This work is in connection with the larger US-93, 200 South Road project, which will widen the existing roadway to four lanes.
“This project will improve safety at the US-93/200 South intersection for both passenger and commercial vehicles,” said ITD Project Manager Sam Purser. “The end result will be a divided highway similar to what drivers encounter two miles south of this area.”
Idaho Materials and Construction is the prime contractor for this project.
On Wednesday and Thursday (Oct. 16 & 17) the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is planning to close US-20 between mileposts 164 and 173 near Fairfield as crews pave the newly constructed Willow Creek and Rock Creek bridges.
The closure is expected to begin at 11 a.m. and is anticipated to last approximately three hours each day.
This is part of the Willow Creek Bridge and Rock Creek Bridge construction projects underway since April of this year. Crews replaced aging and corroded culverts with new bridge structures, which are expected to have a longer lifespan. It will also allow the streams in both locations to be restored to a more natural condition, which should have a positive effect on the surrounding ecosystem.
“We are making every effort to minimize impacts to motorists in the region,” said ITD south-central Idaho Project Manager Brock Dillé. “With the unexpected drop in temperatures this past month, we have a very narrow window to complete work on these structures. Briefly closing the highway will allow us to work more efficiently, and hopefully prevent us from having to return to the area next year to complete the project.”
ITD will place barricades and signage at area intersections to alert travelers. Flaggers will also be present to inform motorists and assist them with determining the best path of travel.
Knife River is the general contractor for both projects.
Karcher Road between Midway Road and Lake Avenue in Nampa will close at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 and reopen at 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27. Flaggers will direct traffic through a detour route.
During the detour, motorists traveling east on Karcher Road will turn south on Lake Avenue, east on Orchard Street and north on Midway Road back to Karcher Road. Motorists traveling west on Karcher Road will turn north on Midway Road, west on Homedale Road and south on Lake Avenue back to Karcher Road.
Truck traffic will be directed to use Farmway Road and Interstate 84 to avoid the closure.
ITD needs to replace the Isaiah drain pipe that runs under Karcher Road before making future improvements to the roadway later this year.
Questions or comments about the project can be directed to Jennifer Gonzalez at (208) 334-8938 or Jennifer.gonzalez@itd.idaho.gov.
