ASHTON – As part of the construction work at the intersection of US-20 and SH-47 in Ashton, the contractor will be blasting rock under the roadway. The blasting operation will occur periodically between July 15 and July 19 in the closed portion of the roadway.
There will be traffic control flaggers on US-20 and SH-47 to manage traffic during these operations.
Motorists should anticipate longer than normal delays during this time. ITD asks all drivers to watch for equipment and workers, follow all traffic signs and flaggers, and reduce speeds to posted limits. It is essential during this operation that motorists keep themselves and workers safe.
The US-20 / SH-47 intersection project consists of a stoplight, new curb and sidewalks, storm sewer work, and pavement. Work is scheduled to be completed in October.
Questions can be directed to HK Contractors at (208) 523-6600.
EAST IDAHO – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is asking for input on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The 2023-2029 ITIP is a seven-year master plan of the state’s transportation improvement projects. Everyone is encouraged to participate starting in July.
Projects can range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of a new guardrail. In all, the draft ITIP includes projects in all 44 counties and all modes of transportation. Projects were selected based on technical data, as well as input from local officials and residents.
A few of the major projects in East Idaho include:
I-15 Northgate to Fort Hall Widening – Widen the interstate to three lanes in both North and South directions, including replacement of outdated structures, drainage facilities, and interchange merge/diverge improvements.
US-20 Chester to Ashton Widening – This project will build a 4-lane divided highway with the addition of 2 new interchanges.
Blackfoot West Bridge Street bridge replacement – Replace the aging West Bridge Street Bridge over the Snake River in Blackfoot.
Chubbuck, Widening Park Lawn to Siphon Road – To provide additional capacity along Yellowstone Avenue between Park Lawn and Siphon. It will also allow for the addition of a traffic signal at the intersection of Yellowstone Avenue and Siphon Road.
A2 Highway improvements – This project will improve the A2 Highway in Clark County by widening the roadway, fixing soft spots, adding additional base and paving the roadway. This will include the replacement of culverts, and other minor drainage improvements.
SH-33 Teton County intersection improvements – This project will improve intersections and add turn lanes on SH33 from milepost 138.70 to milepost 149.40.
US-93 Pahsimeroi River bridge replacement – This project will replace the Pahsimeroi River bridge on US-93 in Custer County.
Comments will be taken from July 1-31 and can be e-mailed to ITDcommunication@itd.idaho.gov or mailed to:ITIP – Comments
Attn: Office of Communication
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
Paper copies of the ITIP will be provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department (208) 334-8119.
All comments will be reviewed, incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate, and responses will be sent in September once the comment period has ended.
After approval by the Idaho Transportation Board in September, the ITIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in October.
IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department is beginning two projects today along US-26 east of Idaho Falls. The first project consists of adding a 3-mile passing lane at Antelope Flat. The second project will add turning lanes into the rest area at the bottom of Clark Hill. Both jobs will take until October to complete.
While construction is underway at Antelope Flat there will be lane closures with flaggers to control traffic. For the Clark Hill project, ITD will keep one lane in each direction open.
Motorists are reminded to follow posted speed limits, obey flaggers, and drive cautiously through work areas.
ASHTON – Beginning July 6 the Idaho Transportation Department will commence work on two projects at Ashton. The first project, at the intersection of US-20 and SH-47 in Ashton, will consist of extensive work to improve safety and traffic flow. The second project will be a pavement overlay along SH-47 beginning near North Fremont High School and continuing to Bear Gulch.
The US-20 / SH-47 intersection project will consist of a stoplight, new curb and sidewalks, storm sewer work, and pavement. Work is scheduled to be completed in October. Traffic patterns will change periodically to allow for construction.
A public meeting will be held on Wednesday June 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ashton City hall for those that wish to discuss construction plans at the intersection and express concerns.
The paving project on SH-47 east of Ashton will last for approximately 15 days. Crews will be microsurfacing the roadway to improve and protect the road surface. During work there will be single lane closures and pilot cars to control traffic flow.
Motorists are asked to watch for workers and equipment, follow all traffic signs and flaggers, and reduce speeds to posted limits. Traffic control and safety devices will be changing often to accommodate construction activities.
Citizens with questions regarding the US-20 / SH-47 intersection can contact HK Contractors at (208) 523-6600.
Those with questions regarding the SH-47 microsurfacing project can call the Idaho Transportation Department District 6 office at (208) 745-7781.
Westbound traffic from Pocatello Creek Road will pass under I-15 to merge with I-86.
POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department has accepted a $111.9 million winning bid by Sundt-Cannon, a joint venture, to rebuild the I-86/I-15 system interchange at Pocatello. Work is scheduled to begin mid-July and will continue for approximately three years as the interchange undergoes modernization.
The old interchange was built in the mid-1960s and the aging and obsolete bridges need to be replaced. In addition, Pocatello and Chubbuck have grown significantly to the north of I-86 and east of I-15. Through traffic has also increased resulting in more congestion in the interchange.
Currently, a particularly challenging spot for drivers travelling west toward Chubbuck from the Pocatello Creek onramp. “Drivers have just 2,400 feet to move from the right lane to the far left lane to exit to I-86. This results in difficult maneuvers,” said District Engineer Todd Hubbard.
To eliminate this problem the new design will allow through traffic travelling north toward Idaho Falls to remain in a left lane. Motorists entering the freeway northbound from Pocatello Creek can continue north to merge with northbound traffic or they can merge with westbound traffic passing under a bridge to head toward Chubbuck. “This also eliminates traffic merging from the left coming from Chubbuck. That’s important because drivers expect merging traffic to come from the right,” said Co-Project Manager, Zak Johnson.
Construction will also include a significant change for Chubbuck Road. Currently the road passes over I-15 and has limited accommodation for bicyclists and pedestrians traveling toward the Wellness Complex. The new design makes Chubbuck Road into an underpass with sidewalk and bicycle lanes.
Vehicles travelling northbound from Pocatello Creek Road will merge with I-86 traffic on a new ramp. Both lanes will then meet with I-15 northbound traffic near Chubbuck Road.
In addition, a north-south bicycle and pedestrian pathway is planned to help facilitate linking Pocatello Creek Road with the Portneuf Wellness Complex. This was designed in coordination with the Greenway Foundation. “Bicycle and pedestrian access to the Highland area was something the community saw as very important,” said Co-Project Manager, Greg Roberts.
The joint venture of Sundt Construction from Utah and Cannon Builders from Blackfoot is currently reviewing the project design and preparing a work schedule. Some equipment may be moved into position prior to the mid-July construction start date.
Motorists are encouraged to watch this I-86/I-15 Interchange overview video to understand how the new design will function. During construction it is important that drivers follow signage, slow down, and exercise caution.
This project is partially funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. 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.
The new design changes Chubbuck Road into an underpass with additional space for pedestrians and bicycle lanes.
AMERICAN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department is beginning the summer work schedule with several projects in the I-86 corridor through Power County. These projects include repairing the Rockland Exit 36 bridge, repairing the Sunbeam and Seagull Bay bridges, and a pavement preservation project along I-86 through Power County.
The Rockland Interchange repair is scheduled to begin in June and will consist of surface repairs, girder repairs, and the installation of a new waterproof membrane for the deck. Motorists should expect some delays.
The Sunbeam and Seagull Bay bridge repairs are scheduled to begin in early August. Both will undergo surface repairs and new concrete overlays. During construction, traffic will be moved to one side of the interstate via crossovers and slowed through the construction area. Motorists should expect some detours during this project.
The pavement preservation project will consist of a micro-seal application which is intended to extend the lifespan of the pavement. ITD currently plans to perform this work after the bridge repair projects are completed. The micro-seal application is scheduled to be completed by the end of September. During work there will be lane closures and reduced speeds in work zones.
Drivers are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app for the latest updates on construction and road conditions.
Widening of the highway is expected to begin next week at the intersection of State Highway 75 and Ohio Gulch Road north of Hailey. A contractor for the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will construct a right turn bay on SH-75 for northbound traffic turning onto Ohio Gulch Road.
In addition to the turn bay, crews will also construct a northbound acceleration lane for motorists merging onto SH-75 from Ohio Gulch Road.
“This work and the recent changes in the area are part of a larger project that will rehabilitate 5.7 miles of the roadway from McKercher Boulevard to East Fork Road next spring,” said ITD District Engineer Jesse Barrus.
While construction is underway, northbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane. Motorists are advised to slow down and watch for workers and heavy equipment along the highway.
“Weather permitting, work is expected to be complete prior to Thanksgiving,” stated Barrus. “We appreciate the patience of community members while we make these improvements.”
Construction is expected to begin Tuesday (June 1) on a pavement restoration project near Shoshone. Throughout the summer, crews will rehabilitate the base and resurface the roadway to provide a smoother and safer driving experience for motorists.
“We will begin work on the east side of Shoshone and then continue toward Marley for approximately 12 miles,” ITD Project Manager Tom Logan stated. “This project will use a combination of new and existing roadway materials to stabilize and extend the life of the highway.”
The E 20 North intersection will also be reconstructed as part of this project to improve safety and curves will be upgraded and realigned to meet current standards where necessary.
While crews are on site, the roadway will be reduced to a single lane – Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the possibility of some work occurring on Saturdays. Flaggers and pilot cars will be present to direct traffic through the work zone. Motorists are advised to slow down and watch for workers and heavy equipment in the area.
Knife River Corporation is the primary contractor on this $7 million project that is expected to be complete in September.
Construction is expected to begin Tuesday (June 1) on Idaho Highway 25 in Jerome County. This work will rehabilitate the roadway from milepost 18, approximately four miles west of Eden, to Interstate 84.
“This project will encompass approximately 13 miles of ID-25,” ITD Resident Engineer John Baxter stated. “Although our work zone will be near Eden and Hazelton, construction operations will not occur within the communities.”
Construction will involve pulverizing the surface of the roadway, adding cement and then compacting materials before placing a new surface on the highway. This will reinforce the existing base and extend the life of the roadway.
While work is underway, the highway will be reduced to a single lane. Motorists are advised to watch for flaggers and pilot cars that will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
This $3.9 million project is expected to be complete late summer. The primary contractor is Western Construction, Inc.
Next week, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will begin a two-phase project on Idaho Highway 75 (Main Street) in Hailey between Fox Acres Road and Cobblestone Lane.
The first phase will begin Monday, May 3. Crews will update pedestrian ramps and crossings to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The second phase of the project, which is expected to begin in July, will rehabilitate the roadway.
“At this point in time, the weather is still too variable for us to work on the roadway,” ITD Project Manager Steve Hunter said. “Because of this, we will first address the ADA ramps and then move onto roadway construction later in the summer.”
Only one ramp per intersection will be constructed at a time to lessen impacts to pedestrians. No work is scheduled to occur on the pedestrian ramps or roadway during the July 4 holiday.
“We understand that the City of Hailey is a renowned tourist destination and we will be working closely with our crews to reduce impacts to the community as much as possible,” Hunter said.
ITD will hold a public meeting ahead of the roadway rehabilitation to share with business owners and residents what can be expected during construction, which will last through the summer.
Knife River is the primary contractor on this $3.4 million project.
