The Idaho Transportation Department has shifted lanes to offer travelers one southbound lane and two northbound lanes separated by a median on Interstate 15 between Blackfoot Exit 89 and Exit 93. Traffic had previously been crossed over to the northbound lanes with little separation between oncoming traffic following a collision last week that badly damaged the Riverton Road Bridge.
ITD engineers estimate that southbound I-15 will remain one lane underneath the bridge and that the bridge itself will remain closed until next spring.
Motorists are encouraged to use 511.idaho.gov for the latest traffic conditions.
Staff with the Idaho Transportation Department have been assessing damage to the Riverton Road Bridge over Interstate 15 following a major crash last night that has caused all traffic to be detoured to U.S. Highway 91 between Exit 89 and Exit 93. Crews are working to temporarily shore up the bridge to allow traffic to be diverted back to the freeway by mid-morning Saturday while plans for long-term repairs are developed.
Once traffic is shifted, drivers will only have one lane in each direction and will travel at reduced speeds on the northbound set of lanes.
The bridge suffered structural damage necessitating the immediate closure of the interstate for the safety of all drivers. At this time the extent, cost and timeline of repairs are unknown.
“We have been working around the clock to restore the flow of traffic,” District Engineer Todd Hubbard said. “Early next week, we hope to have traffic restored to proper lanes, southbound I-15 will be reduced to one lane until a permanent fix can be made.”
Travelers should expect delays due to reduced lanes and heavy freeway traffic. Motorists are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for the latest traffic information.
Beginning this Wednesday, motorists using U.S. Highway 95 from Lewiston to Moscow will see greater delays at the Thorn Creek work zone as crews pour concrete.
A speed reduction will be in place over the Thorn Creek Bridge that will cause delays of approximately 20 minutes. Delays could be longer during commuting hours. Traffic will be slowed to a strict 5 mph over the structure to ensure vibrations do not impact the curing process for the high-strength concrete. Concrete work is expected to be done on Wednesday, with curing necessary on Thursday and Friday. Restrictions will be in effect, though there may not be active work on site.
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid delays by taking State Highway 8 and then the Moscow-Pullman Highway in Washington as an alternate route.
Work at the Thorn Creek Bridge is one of the few remaining steps in completing the new four-lane section from Reisenauer Hill to Moscow. Construction began in 2022 to shift the curving, two-lane highway to the east and expand it to four lanes. The nearly $90 million realignment was funded partially by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program and was designed to be safer with a flatter grade, fewer curves and better access control.
Five miles of the new alignment opened to traffic in early July. This last mile is expected to be complete by November.
Traffic updates on this project and others across Idaho can always be seen on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.
Beginning early this week, traffic on U.S. Highway 20 will be routed onto the newly built overpass bridge at South St. Anthony Exit 344. This marks the final stages of construction on a new full interchange at this location.
North and southbound motorists were previously routed onto the ramps while the overpass bridge was being constructed, with speed limits lowered to 35 mph. Traffic will now move to travel on mainline US-20 at a reduced work zone speed.
With this traffic shift, South St. Anthony ramps will be closed as work continues on 400 North under US-20. Workers and equipment will still be present on site, so drivers are urged to stay aware and be cautious.
This project is expected to be substantially complete later this summer, with the ramps and turning movements onto 400 North open then.
Funding for this project is assisted by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) fund. The Leading Idaho initiative allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to invest in projects in corridors that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy, and positively impact communities across the state for years to come.
Updates on this project and others across Idaho can always be seen on the Idaho 511 app, or at 511.idaho.gov.
The Idaho Transportation Department is partnering with the Idaho National Laboratory to alert motorists of changes to their commute beginning next week.
Starting Monday, paving operations within the INL site will limit usual turning movements at the Puzzle, the junction of US-20, US-26 and INL. During morning and overnight hours, traffic will be able to make right turns only off US-20 into the site.
From 4 to 6:30 p.m. traffic at the Puzzle will be restricted to outbound only movement, with no inbound turns allowed.
Speed will be reduced to 50 mph on US-20 near and through the Puzzle while this work is completed.
Both inbound and outbound site traffic will be able to access US-20 from an alternative route at West Portland Avenue, Gate Three, one mile west of the Puzzle. No dedicated turning lane exists on US-20 at this intersection, so motorists are urged to be alert and slow down.
Flaggers will be present as needed when INL paving work is near the intersections of US-20 or US-26. Traffic control signs and lower speed limits will not be in effect when work is not actively ongoing along these roadways.
INL paving operations are expected to be complete and traffic running as usual by late September.
INL employees should refer to internal communication regarding effects to their commute on roads within the site. Effects to US-20 and US-26 will be noted on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.
Repairs and improvements are starting today on the first of 11 bridges along Interstate 15 north of Roberts toward the Montana state line. Crews will be replacing water damaged concrete and installing anti-skid surfacing to greatly extend the life of the bridges. Travelers should expect to see lane restrictions and lower speed limits where work is occurring through the summer and fall.
Crews are beginning today where the most significant repairs are needed, on the northbound lanes of Exit 184 at Stoddard Creek. Traffic will be routed off the bridge and on to the ramps, with travel affects much like those seen last year on the southbound lanes.
Stoddard Creek Road underneath I-15 is the access to popular camping areas and will be restricted to one lane or closed intermittently during construction. The closure will only be in place when passing under the bridge is not safe based on the work being done. When closed, motorists can proceed to Exit 190 at Humphrey, turn back around and head south to Stoddard Creek, then make a right turn toward camping areas.
From I-15 mileposts 136 to 189, repairs are also being done on ten other bridges and interchanges through the summer and fall. Work at Exit 180 at Spencer and Beaver Creek Overpass will continue for approximately six weeks. At the other locations, it will last just three to four days. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on I-15 where these efforts are being completed.
Updates on specific work zones and travel impacts will be available on the Idaho 511 app or at 511.idaho.gov.
Starting tonight the contractor will return to Chinden Boulevard to address the limited sections from last year’s chipseal project that did not meet ITD standards. Repairs will protect the driving surface and extend the life of the roadway.
Between Glenwood Street and Eagle Road, the highway will receive a thin asphalt overlay resurfacing. From Eagle Road to Linder Road, pavement sealer will be sprayed on to the road to protect it, and lines will be freshly painted.
Work will be done at night from 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. to minimize impacts to travelers. One lane will be closed in each direction at night for up to six weeks. All lanes will be open during the day when crews are not on site.
Travelers should check 511.idaho.gov to know before they go.
The Idaho Transportation Department has begun crack sealing US-91 in Pocatello. Work began Monday on 5th Street and has continued onto 4th Street. Crack sealing north through Pocatello on Yellowstone Avenue will continue as weather permits.
“Once we reach Cedar Street, we will shift to nighttime work to minimize disruption to businesses,” said Pocatello Foreman Anthony Richards. “Other than where the pavement is concrete, we’re planning on continuing north all the way to Walmart.”
The sealant prevents water from entering the pavement causing further erosion and extending the lifespan of the road
Motorists should expect single lane closures in the work zone.
Drivers are encouraged to use the Idaho 511 system for traffic impact updates for this project, and all ITD projects statewide.
