Beginning Monday and continuing through Wednesday, nighttime closures will be in place for a section of Interstate 15 and Interstate 86 at the System Interchange to allow crews to safely remove overhead signage.
One southbound lane will be closed on I-15, and the southbound ramp to I-86 will also be closed. Drivers looking to head west on I-86 will be detoured off the interstate at Northgate, west to State Highway 91, and then south to the Chubbuck Interchange. The closures will last from 9:30 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. each night.
Ongoing construction at the System Interchange will improve safety and mobility while replacing bridges built in the 1960s. Work is expected to be complete in 2025.
Motorists should exercise caution while travelling through the construction zone. Those wishing to receive email updates about the System Interchange project can sign up at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/g9MMkN9.
Drivers can also check or download the 511 app for the last traffic conditions on all state highways and freeways.
POCATELLO – Due to recent inclement weather, the daytime closure of the north-to-west ramp at the System Interchange will continue into Wednesday. The additional time is needed to complete placement of the steel girders for new bridges.
Traffic will be directed to the Northgate Interchange, adding approximately five minutes to travel times. Drivers will exit at Northgate, cross over I-15, and then proceed south on I-15. The detour will be in place starting at 5 a.m. until work is be completed. The same detour has been in place for the last 3 weekdays.
Girders are horizontal steel beams designed to support the bridge deck. As the beams are placed over the northbound to westbound ramp it is necessary to close the roadway beneath for the safety of the travelling public.
Ongoing construction at the System Interchange will improve safety and mobility while replacing bridges built in the 1960s. Work is expected to be complete in 2025.
Motorists should exercise additional caution while travelling through the construction zone. Those wishing to receive email updates about the System Interchange project can sign-up at this link – https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/g9MMkN9. Drivers can also check or download the 511 app for the last traffic conditions on all state highways and freeways.
POCATELLO – Drivers on I-15 northbound heading west on I-86 toward Chubbuck will be detoured several days in the next week as crews install girders at the System Interchange. Ongoing construction at the System Interchange will improve safety and mobility while replacing bridges built in the 1960s.
Girders are horizontal steel beams designed to support the bridge deck. As the beams will be placed over the northbound to westbound ramp it is necessary to close the roadway beneath for the safety of the travelling public.
Traffic will be directed to the Northgate Interchange, adding approximately five minutes to travel times. Detours are expected to be in place from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. the following days:
Thursday, Aug. 17
Monday, Aug. 21
Tuesday, Aug. 22
Motorists should exercise additional caution while travelling through the construction zone. Those wishing to receive email updates about the System Interchange project can sign-up at this link – https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/g9MMkN9. Drivers can also check or download the 511 app for the last traffic conditions on all state highways and freeways.
The detour through the Northgate Interchange will exit at Northgate, cross over I-15, and then proceed south on I-15.
AMERICAN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department has restarted work on I-86 bridges near American Falls. This work necessitates the American Falls Interchange 40 westbound on-ramp to be closed until mid-July. Westbound traffic from American Falls and State Highway 39 is being detoured to Exit 36.
ITD asks all motorists to remember to slow down and obey flaggers and construction signs in construction areas. To be kept up to date on construction, road closures, and road conditions check 511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app.
POCATELLO – As temperatures warm motorists will see nighttime work starting up again at the System Interchange project in Pocatello. In addition, there will be short-term detours while girders are placed for the new northbound bridge. As of this morning the east to northbound ramp is closed. Traffic is being diverted south to detour through the Pocatello Creek interchange.
Heavy equipment will be moving earth during the night as contractors rebuild the interchange. The excavated earth will be moved on the large conveyor system the Idaho Transportation Department has been using to limit the need for heavy trucks entering and exiting the Interstate within the work zone.
The massive project requires nearly round-the-clock work during summer months to achieve the goals set by ITD for project completion. During the nighttime work nearby businesses and residents may notice more noise from the heavy equipment moving about the worksite.
Detours necessitated by the placement of girders will be updated on 511.idaho.gov or in the 511 app. While this work continues, weather is major factor for the timing of closures. Motorists are encouraged to keep up-to-date via 511.
Motorists should exercise additional care at night to keep everyone safe. ITD asks motorists to keep their eyes on the road, slow down, obey signs, and be patient with other drivers.
The System Interchange project is part of Governor Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative that pays for shovel-ready projects to move forward without delay.
POCATELLO – On Monday April 17 the Idaho Transportation Department will begin night work to remove the westbound railroad bridge on I-86, just east of Chubbuck Exit 61. The bridge will be replaced with a wider bridge that will have three lanes. To avoid delaying railroad traffic during the day portions of the demolition will be done at night when fewer trains pass under the bridge. ITD expects the replacement of the railroad bridge to continue into early May.
The bridge replacement will necessitate changes in traffic patterns and increased noise. It is important that drivers slow down in the work zone and provide room for vehicles merging or preparing to take Exit 61 into Chubbuck.
There is no need to demolish the eastbound bridge which has already been widened to three lanes
POCATELLO – The recent snowstorm has delayed delivery of girders for the new I-15 bridge at the System Interchange in Pocatello. ITD planned to install the girders this weekend, but they could not be safely delivered to Pocatello in time. This means the planned lane closures for this weekend will also be delayed until all of the girders can be safely delivered to Pocatello. When that occurs, ITD will update the public.
To protect Idaho’s workers and other motorists, ITD asks those travelling on Idaho’s highways to follow work zone speed limits, be patient, and plan for extra time to travel to their destinations.
To learn more about the final design of the System Interchange citizens can watch this video: https://youtu.be/KRdVBAyXweA
POCATELLO – With the arrival of spring the Idaho Transportation Department is ramping-up construction at the System Interchange in Pocatello. As part of Governor Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative, the System Interchange is being redesigned to replace aging bridges built in the 1960s and improve traffic safety.
While work at the interchange continued throughout the winter, in the coming week ITD’s contractor will be placing girders for the new I-15 northbound bridge. This will necessitate rolling slowdowns, delays, and short detours around the I-86 to I-15 ramp leading from Chubbuck toward Blackfoot.
Additionally, as work progresses into the first week of April the Chubbuck Road bridge will be demolished. This will be done in stages with traffic detoured through Chubbuck at night. The first closure will be for northbound traffic and the second for southbound I-15 traffic.
Other projects will also see ramped-up operations including the Fort Hall Interchange and bridge work on I-86. With unprecedented funding made available for construction, Idaho motorists will continue to see increased activity on Idaho’s highways.
To protect Idaho’s workers and other motorists, ITD asks those travelling on Idaho’s highways to follow work zone speed limits, be patient, and plan for extra time to travel to their destinations.
To learn more about the final design of the System Interchange citizens can watch this video https://youtu.be/KRdVBAyXweA
RIGBY – With a severe winter storm predicted by the National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/pih/), the Idaho Transportation Department in East Idaho reminds drivers to take precautions in case roads close or motorists become stranded. Extreme cold temperatures, snow, and wind can make for a dangerous combination.
“We do everything we can to keep roads open,” said Bryan Young, D6 Operations Engineer. “However, we also have to consider the safety of the traveling public and our crews.”
ITD asks the public to think ahead and determine whether a trip can be delayed or avoided during winter storms. Check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to learn if roads are closed and to view conditions. If you are driving, be careful to leave extra distance between vehicles, never pass a snowplow on the right, and pay close attention to changing conditions.
Other safety tips include:
Keep survival supplies in your vehicle: blankets, flashlight, water, and food.
Fill your vehicle’s gas tank before leaving.
Be sure your car is well-maintained with fluids at proper levels, tires properly inflated, wipers, brakes, and battery are all in good condition.
Dress appropriately for cold weather: heavy coat, boots, gloves, and have extra socks.
Prepare to self-rescue if your vehicle is stuck by having: a shovel, kitty litter, tire chains.
Inform others of when you are leaving, what route you are taking, and what time you expect to arrive.
Ensure your cell phone is charged before leaving.
If your vehicle becomes stuck, check to be sure the tail pipe is clear so exhaust fumes do not build up in the cabin.
Crack a window to avoid carbon monoxide build-up and only run your vehicle for 10 minutes per hour to keep the cabin warm.
POCATELLO – Beginning Thursday morning work crews at the System Interchange will begin pile driving piers for new bridges. As part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative, the project was fast-tracked partly due to the aging 1960s bridges due for replacement. The new piers will create a stable foundation to protect the structure of the new bridges.
Pile driving uses a hydraulic hammer that forces piers downward through the soil. Unavoidably, the operation creates noise as the hammer falls on the pier. Work for this portion of the project will be conducted during the daytime. However, in the next week or two additional pile driving will be required at Chubbuck Road that will include some nighttime work.
Motorists should carefully follow signs and posted speed limits while travelling through the construction area. With crews working day and night and with the onset of winter it is especially important that drivers be alert and proceed safely through the work area. Drivers are encouraged to check https://511.idaho.gov or the 511 app to keep track of road conditions and construction. Project details are available on ITD’s projects website — https://itdprojects.org/projects/i-86-i-15-system-interchange/
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.
Pile driving utilizes a hydraulic hammer to place the piles deep below the surface of the ground.
