The Idaho Transportation Department will move Interstate 15 traffic Tuesday and Wednesday nights to accommodate girder placement at 2.5 Mile Road Bridge.
Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction and shifted onto the same side of the interstate. Work will be conducted between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour through the work zone.
Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night on the project to make I-15 three lanes from Northgate to Fort Hall it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.
I-15 serves as a major transportation corridor through eastern Idaho. These improvements will increase capacity and improve safety to serve the region’s growing transportation needs for years to come.
Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i15northgatetoblackfoot.
Southbound traffic is now able to travel over the Stoddard Creek Bridge at Interstate 15 Exit 184 just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Travelers can now turn both right and left onto Stoddard Creek Road underneath the bridge. This road provides access to multiple camping and recreational opportunities in the area.
Southbound 1-15 traffic is no longer diverted onto the Exit 184 ramps, but back onto one lane over the Stoddard Creek Bridge along the main roadway. This one lane closure allows the Idaho Transportation Department and contractor partners to accomplish finishing work, like replacing guardrails, on the passing lane of I-15. Work is expected to be complete and all traffic restrictions removed within the next month.
This update can be seen on the Idaho 511 app and at https://511.idaho.gov/.
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.
The Idaho Transportation Department and its construction partner Wadsworth Brothers Construction is beginning reconstruction of Interstate 15 at Inkom.
Work will replace I-15 bridges in three locations:
- Over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks and Old Highway 91.
- Over Rapid Creek Road (Main Street).
- I-15 bridges and reconstructing the West Interchange.
ITD combined and streamlined the projects to reduce the construction timeline to approximately two years rather than doing one location at a time over three years. This approach minimizes disruption to the local community and the traveling public and efficiently uses construction funds.
Old Highway 91 will be closed under I-15 beginning Monday, weather and other factors permitting, to allow Idaho Power to relocate utilities. Local access will be allowed. Other drivers will be detoured along Rapid Creek Road (Main Street). The detour will remain in place until mid-June.
I-15 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction from early March until late October.
For project progress and to sign up for construction updates, go to the project webpage at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i15-inkom-corridor. Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours.
The Idaho Transportation Department is continuing repairs to the Stoddard Creek Bridge at Exit 184 on Interstate 15. Stoddard Creek Road underneath the I-15 bridge is closed for safety, as crews work to demolish the current bridge deck above.
Both northbound and southbound travelers exiting the freeway will only be able to make right turns from the ramps on to Stoddard Creek Road. Drivers cannot turn left and travel underneath the closed bridge. This restriction will remain in effect until work is completed, which is estimated to be late spring.
The recreational parking area west of the Stoddard Creek Exit is only directly available for southbound I-15 drivers. Northbound traffic needing to access the recreational parking area should proceed six miles to Humprey Exit 190, then head back southbound to exit at Stoddard Creek. From this direction, a right turn to the parking area can be safely completed.
Updates on this closure and construction can be found on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.
The Idaho Transportation Department’s $112 million rebuild of the System Interchange for Interstate 86 and Interstate 15 at Pocatello is entering its final year of construction with crews working in multiple areas throughout the worksite.
Five bridges were built in the last year, bringing the project total up to eight new structures. Two of the new bridges are steel and measure 414 feet long each. The other three bridges are concrete and measure a total of 387 feet in length. The construction of these bridges included 725 feet of 8-foot diameter concrete shafts installed underground for bridge foundations. In addition, 10,000 feet of steel piles were also driven underground for bridge foundations.
The massive project registered other impressive statistics in 2024:
- 247,319 cubic yards of dirt moved.
- 143,500 tons of structural dirt imported.
- 4,000 cubic yards of concrete poured.
- 55,894 tons of asphalt placed.
- 568,862 pounds of metal reinforcement installed.
In the coming year several items will be completed to button up the project.
- The new southbound-to-westbound ramp will be completed.
- The old northbound-to-westbound ramp will be removed.
- The temporary southbound-to-westbound ramp will be removed.
- The roadway north of the Pocatello Creek on-ramp will be built to its final grade. This will allow movement from Pocatello Creek to Chubbuck and remove the detour currently in place.
- The new Chubbuck Road underpass roadway will be completed.
- A chip seal will be applied to extend the life of the new asphalt pavement installed by the project, and the road will be restriped to its final lane configuration.
- Bridge approaches will be smoothed out to remove bumps made during construction.
Construction is anticipated to be completed in August.
“We appreciate the community’s patience as ITD continues to work with the contractor to button up work items and complete the remaining tasks for this historic project,” Project Manager Greg Roberts said. “ITD is excited to see the travelling public use this updated system interchange for years to come.”
Originally built in the 1960s, the I-86 and I-15 System Interchange is undergoing a rebuild to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure.
Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night at the System Interchange it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.
Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-86i-15-system-interchange.
The long-awaited reopening of Chubbuck Road has come and traffic is once again flowing from Chubbuck to the Highland area. The Idaho Transportation Department opened the road Friday afternoon to through traffic. However, the new underpass will still require a brief closure next summer to open the road up for pedestrian access.
The Chubbuck Road overpass, built in 1962 was an impediment to large loads travelling north and south on Interstate 15. As part of the System Interchange project the decision was made to transform Chubbuck Road into an underpass with additional facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. That change necessitated a two-year closure for demolition and the construction of two new bridges to carry I-15 over Chubbuck Road.
Now that the new underpass is open to vehicle traffic, residents in Chubbuck wishing to travel to the Portneuf Wellness Complex or Highland High School will no longer be detoured through the Northgate Interchange.
“We really appreciate the public’s patience during this process,” said Project Manager Zak Johnson. “We’re really excited to have Chubbuck Road open to vehicle traffic again.”
While the road is now open for cars there is expected to be a short closure this summer for approximately two weeks so crews can complete the underpass lanes, curbing and sidewalks.
Originally built in the 1960s, the I-86 and I-15 System Interchange is undergoing $112 million of redesign work to improve safety and replace aging infrastructure.
Motorists should follow all signs and posted speed limits while traveling through the construction area. With crews working day and night at the System Interchange it is especially important that drivers be alert and travel safely.
Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of project detours. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/i-86i-15-system-interchange.
The Idaho Transportation Department has begun the planning process to improve the South Blackfoot Interchange at Exit 89. The South Blackfoot Interchange has served motorists since 1961. Since then, eastern Idaho’s population and traffic volumes have greatly increased.
At this interchange, Interstate 15 crosses over U.S. Highway 91 on the Fort Hall Reservation. The interchange is in an area of I-15 that is heavily used for commercial, residential and recreational travel. To improve safety and mobility for motorists, it is necessary for ITD to replace the interchange with a design that has increased capacity and meets current standards.
Project plans currently include:
- Lengthening ramps to improve safety.
- Adding a dedicated exit lane to off-ramps to improve ramp operations.
- Adjusting the interchange to accommodate future additional lanes on I-15.
Improvements to this interchange will be developed and designed based on traffic and other technical data, an environmental evaluation, surveying, and input from the public. The planning, design and environmental evaluation stage of the project is expected to be completed in 2026. Construction of the improvements is anticipated to begin in 2030, depending on the availability of further funding. This project is utilizing both state and federal funding.
ITD will provide multiple opportunities for the public to learn more about the I-15 South Blackfoot Interchange project throughout project development, including a public open house and pop-up meetings in early 2025. For more information visit the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-15-corridor or call 208-252-5553.
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.
