Area highways to briefly close for railroad replacement and paving work

Railroad crossings along SH-48 in Roberts, Idaho.

REXBURG—The Idaho Transportation Department, in partnership with Union Pacific Railroad, will close highways near several railroad crossings in May.

State Highway 33 from Rexburg to Sage Junction will close Monday through part of Tuesday as needed (May 19-May 20) as Union Pacific Railroad replaces crossings along this route. Motorists can take State Highway 48 to Roberts and Interstate 15 to Sage Junction as an alternative.

SH-48 through the town of Roberts will close through the weekend of May 31-June 3 as three parallel railroad crossings and paving are conducted there as well. I-15 can be accessed at the Osgood Interchange south of Roberts as an alternative.

Digital message boards will be in place along both routes prior to these closures to give motorists advance warning time for making alternative travel plans. Updates regarding these closures will be posted on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.

Lower speed limits take effect on SH-48 east of Rigby

ITD and City of Rigby crews work roadside on SH-48 in preparation for furthering a 45 mph speed zone east of Rigby that takes effect next week.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) on Thursday will be extending the limits of a lower 45 mph speed limit zone on SH-48 about two miles east of US-20 to Road 4200 East.

ITD crews along with the city of Rigby are placing multiple new signs, including driver speed feedback signs, all in an effort to improve safety along this stretch of SH-48. Motorists should watch for the updated signs and orange caution flags.

These changes are a result of several working group meetings conducted over the past months with the ITD Chief Operations Officer and district managers, Jefferson County Commissioners, the city of Rigby and local legislators. The group is focused on enhancing traffic relief, long-term planning discussions and near-term highway solutions for the local community.

Road conditions and status for SH-48 and all major Idaho roads can be found by using the Idaho 511 app, or visiting 511.idaho.gov.