RIGBY— With the onset of spring, over the next several months the Idaho Transportation Department and contractor partners are crack sealing, repairing potholes, removing hazardous trees and conducting more substantial improvements to ruts and bumps in the roads from Salmon to Driggs and the Montana state lines to Idaho Falls.
Crack sealing is underway on Interstate 15 from Idaho Falls to Dubois, as well as State Highways 33 and 47. This work involves a mobile one-lane restriction that follows workers’ progress. ITD crews fill minor cracks in the roadway with a strong, sticky tar that serves to keep water from getting under the surface and making the damage worse. This must be done in spring during cooler temperatures and dry conditions, and then the repair effectively expands through warmer months.
Flagging operations will be in place temporarily on state highways across east Idaho as ITD performs mastic pothole repair. Expect flagging delays to be less than 15 minutes where this work is occurring. Mastic work uses a hot-applied rubber and asphalt combination that is highly effective at sealing up more substantial damages in the road. These fixes must also be done in dry conditions and specific temperatures seen during the spring. Crews time work before or after peak travel times, even at night as needed.
On U.S. Highway 20 between Rexburg and St. Anthony, crews will be working to mill off the surface of the road in 1,500-foot stretches or less and then overlay new pavement. Expect to see one lane closures and speed reductions where this is occurring.
Hazardous tree removal will also begin this spring on U.S. Highway 93 between Challis and Salmon. ITD crews can sometimes work off the roadway, though flaggers will be in place as needed, with one lane restricted in 15-minute increments. The removal of dying and diseased trees will improve errant driver safety recovery zones, wildlife visibility and fire protection widths. This effort will continue through the spring and into the summer months.
Other routine spring maintenance work like shoulder repairs and delineation enhancements are also ongoing. Drivers should be aware of these smaller work zones, slow down and move over to help everyone stay safe. Download the Idaho 511 app or visit tps://511.idaho.gov/ to stay up to date on where road work is occurring across Idaho.
U.S. Highway 20 Exit 333 for Main Street in Rexburg will fully close beginning tomorrow. This closure allows crews to complete final paving operations and marks the last time Rexburg exits are expected to close for the construction of new diverging diamond interchanges. Exit 333 will be re-opened as soon as paving and striping work is finished, on or before October 29.
“Our goal was to have these projects completed by late fall and that really is going to happen,” Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We’re so grateful to the Rexburg community for their support and patience.”
After re-opening, construction efforts at Exit 333 will be largely off the roadway, with only limited lane closures from that point on. Motorists can expect some interruptions as work continues toward final completion, though they will be short lived.
With construction efforts winding down, motorists will also see improvements to timing for the traffic signals at both Exits 332 and 333. Engineers will make signal adjustments until the movement of the new interchanges is ideal for typical traffic flow.
Since March, the Idaho Transportation Department and contractor partners have been working to complete the massive undertaking of rebuilding Exits 332 and 333 in Rexburg. Both exits are now operating diverging diamond interchanges that are expected to resolve former traffic concerns in the Rexburg area.
The Idaho Transportation Department is utilizing the summer window of opportunity to resurface and repair several roadways across eastern Idaho. Pavement overlays and repairs increase the strength and longevity of our roads, helping them to better withstand the weather conditions in this region. Beginning mid-July, motorists can expect to see traffic limited to one lane as needed in the following work zones:
- Interstate 15, milepost 112 at Bingham County line to Exit 119 at U.S. Highway 20 Interchange. Work in this area through Idaho Falls will be conducted at night from 8 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Traffic will be limited to one lane intermittently in both directions where crews are actively working. Work is expected to last approximately three weeks.
- I-15 Exit 119 to Exit 143 at Sage Junction. Traffic will also be limited to one lane intermittently in both directions where crews are actively working. Work on this section of the interstate will be conducted during daytime hours and last until mid-October.
- US-20 from milepost 264 at Bonneville County line to milepost 301 at the Idaho National Laboratory junction. Beginning mid-July, patch and repair work will be underway, with flaggers and one-lane closures in the working area. This section of road will also undergo a seal coat later in August. Work is expected to be complete by mid-August.
- State Highway 28 milepost 101 at Lemhi River Bridge to milepost 125 at Baker, and milepost 305 to 306 on SH-93 in Salmon. These pavement projects require that a mobile hot mix plant be set up closer to the area of work so asphalt temperatures can be kept where they need to be to correctly build the road. This operation entails equipment parts and pieces being hauled with large transport trucks and then constructed at the Leadore state gravel pit. Once the plant is set up and operational, work is anticipated to last approximately eight weeks. Expect one-lane closures along SH-28 with pilot cars and flaggers in place.
- SH-93 milepost 108 at Mackay to milepost 115 at Mackay Reservoir, and milepost 139 at Willow Creek Summit to SH-75 junction. Traffic will be limited to one lane intermittently using pilot cars and flaggers in the current working area. Both lanes will be open again overnight. Work is expected to begin late July and last until mid-September.
- US-26 northeast of Craters of the Moon visitor center from milepost 230- 240. This section of road will be dug out and replaced with new pavement. Pilot cars and flaggers will direct traffic through one lane. Work is expected to be complete in just six days, beginning in early August.
Remember to use caution and stay alert when traveling through work zones. Up-to-date information on these projects is available by visiting 511.idaho.gov, dialing 5-1-1, or downloading the 511 app.
Exit 332 on U.S. Highway 20 in Rexburg will completely close for one month beginning next Wednesday, May 29 to allow crews to quickly build a new unique diverging diamond interchange (DDI) that will greatly improve the flow of traffic.
All ramps at this exit and University Boulevard 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 Exit 328 at Thorton and Main Street Exit 333 in Rexburg. A temporary signal has been set up at Exit 333 to accommodate additional traffic. Access to businesses near Exit 332 will remain open with signage in place to direct drivers.
“Closing the exit allows crews to work at a significantly faster rate. Our goal is to have this interchange reopened before the Fourth of July,” Resident Engineer and Project Manager Conner Huffaker said.
Motorists should use caution and be aware of congestion. Crews will coordinate with emergency responders to ensure access through the closed construction zone when needed.
Once Exit 332 is reopened, work to construct the same DDI design at Exit 333 will begin. The closure of Exit 333 is expected to begin late July or early August.
More details about these projects can be found at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg. Also stay up to date on Idaho road conditions by visiting 511.idaho.gov, calling 5-1-1 or downloading the app.
