DUBOIS—Southbound travelers on Interstate 15 are being detoured around the Stoddard Creek Bridge at Exit 184, which has been closed due to a damaged and deteriorating road surface. Interstate traffic is being slowed to 45 mph and directed onto the ramps so drivers can proceed over and through without stopping.
The Idaho Transportation Department has closed W. Camas Creek Road under the bridge to allow for this detour. Operations engineers and facilities managers are monitoring the path to ensure smooth passage for vehicles and semis.
Major improvements to the Stoddard Creek Bridge were already planned for early next spring. With the bridge condition worsening substantially, these have been advanced to start in January. Repairs are expected to take several months, with this closure in place until spring.
The Idaho Transportation Department Dubois maintenance crew and other operations personnel are monitoring the closure daily. Traffic control devices are also weighted and placed to avoid being covered by snow removal efforts. ITD will make necessary changes and efforts to keep traffic in this area moving safely through the winter.
Road updates and status can be found at 511.idaho.gov or on the Idaho 511 app.
REXBURG—U.S. Highway 20 Exit 332 for University Boulevard in Rexburg will fully close starting Monday, September 30, for crews to complete final paving and striping operations. Work is not expected to take more than a few days, and the exit will be re-opened as soon as it is completed.
This closure was purposefully scheduled during Madison School District’s harvest break to least affect traffic. Detours include Exit 328 (Thornton), Exit 333 (Main Street) and Exit 337 (North Rexburg). After re-opening next week, construction work at Exit 332 will be minimal and off the roadway.
Construction does continue at Exit 333, with one lane running in each direction. These projects to create safe and efficient diverging diamond interchanges at both Rexburg exits are still expected to be complete later this fall.
For more information about this project, visit https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg. Drivers can also use the 511 app to see current status on this and other Idaho projects.
REXBURG— U.S. Highway 20 Exit 333 in Rexburg will re-open Thursday night with a new diverging diamond interchange in place. This exit has been closed since late July so the Idaho Transportation Department and contractors could construct the new road design and complete vital underground infrastructure work.
The re-opening comes in time for an increase of traffic as university students arrive in Rexburg for the fall semester. All lanes of traffic will be open and construction efforts remain off the roadway at both Exit 332 (University Boulevard) and Exit 333 (Main Street) through this weekend to accommodate this influx.
“There really is a light at the end of the tunnel in Rexburg,” ITD Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We’re excited to be giving people some relief from construction and know that these new exits will do a great job of keeping everyone safe and moving better. Thank you for bearing with us.”
Motorists and citizens should be aware that construction efforts will continue again next week and through the month of October. Intermittent single-lane closures will be in place, with traffic still able to move through the interchanges. Impacts will be noted on 511.idaho.gov.
University Boulevard Exit will fully close again during the week of September 30 through October 4 to allow crews to add a final layer of pavement. This timeframe has been selected in coordination with when Madison School District is out of school for harvest break. Work on both exits is on track to be completed late this Fall. For further details about this project and to watch a video on how to drive the new diverging diamond traffic pattern, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg.
U.S. Highway 20 Exit 333 for Rexburg will remain closed through Labor Day weekend and into next week. Contractors and crews have encountered multiple difficulties on site, including the breakage and repair of a main sewer line last week, causing unanticipated delays. The Idaho Transportation Department is now committed to Exit 333 being open ahead of the influx of university traffic on Friday, September 13.
While this primary exit into Rexburg has been closed during the month of August, ITD and contractor partners have repaired and rebuilt multiple city utilities, constructed and repaired drainage and irrigation systems, as well as removed and reconfigured the road itself. This work takes additional operational time now but will save city and community partners from having to close the roadway for infrastructure needs in the future.
“We know that Rexburg has endured a lot with construction this summer,” Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We hope people will continue to be patient for just a little longer and know that the end outcome will be a major improvement for the long-term future.”
Completion of all work on both Exit 332 for University Boulevard and Exit 333 for Main Street is still expected to be completed by late fall. Motorists should plan for continued construction near the interchanges until that time, with at least one lane of traffic open in both directions.
Exit 333 will reopen with the same diverging diamond interchange design as is now operating at exit 332. This traffic pattern is far more efficient than what was in place before and will greatly improve travel to and from Rexburg.
Further details about this project and how to drive the new design can be found at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg.
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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.
