East 1500 North Bridge over I-15 closed until further notice

Damaged girder on East 1500 North Bridge over I-15

The East 1500 North Bridge over Interstate 15 near Shelley will be closed until further notice. A vehicle travelling northbound on I-15 today struck the bridge causing significant damage to a girder. Traffic is currently detoured via South 45th West.

“We’ll have to keep the bridge closed until we can fully inspect the damage,” Operations Engineer Greydon Wright said. “Our bridge crew will come in to do the inspection and decide what work will need to be done to repair it.”

The incident also necessitated the closure of the right lane of northbound I-15 to allow crews to clean debris from the road and ensure the safety of the travelling public.

Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.

 

Nighttime detours planned for I-15/I-86 System Interchange next week

Overhead signage at the System Interchange

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.

 

Signal cabinets to be replaced in Soda Springs next week

Cones in truck

Beginning Monday, September 18, and continuing through Thursday, September 21, the Idaho Transportation Department will replace old signal cabinets in Soda Springs. The cabinets control the operation of the lights and are more than 30 years old.

Cabinets will be replaced at the following intersections:

  • Hooper Avenue and Third East Street
  • Second South Street (U.S. Highway 30) and Third East Street
  • Second South Street (US-30) and Main Street.

Replacements are expected to take one day per signal, during which signal heads will be covered and stop signs placed to guide motorists. Stop signs will not be used on US-30 to keep highway traffic flowing.

When complete the signals will operate very similar to before, but a flashing yellow arrow will be available to allow drivers to make additional left turns. The flashing arrow indicates motorists turning left should yield to oncoming traffic until it is safe to turn.

Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app for traffic impacts.

Detour tonight at Fort Hall (Exit 80) Interchange

Fort Hall Construction , I-15, Exit 80

POCATELLO – Aug. 28, 2023 | Southbound drivers on I-15 will be detoured through the interchange ramps at Fort Hall (Exit 80) tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. This will allow crews to operate safely as they work on the bridge beams over the roadway.

The Fort Hall Interchange is undergoing a complete reconstruction to replace the outdated bridge and improve on- and off-ramps. The redesign also allows for the planned three lanes northbound and southbound on I-15. Those wishing to learn more about the project can visit https://itdprojects.org/projects/forthall/

Motorists should exercise caution while travelling through the work zone as traffic patterns will continue to change over the next week to accommodate construction. Drivers can also check 511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app for the last traffic conditions on all state highways and freeways.

I-15/I-86 System Interchange daytime detour to continue Wednesday morning

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.

 

E 400 South Road Closed until late August

UPDATE: E 400 South Road in Jerome will continue to be closed until late August.

JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will close E 400 South Road under I-84. Closures will allow crews to begin work on the E 400 South Road bridges as they widen I-84 between the South Jerome (Exit 168) and Twin Falls (Exit 173) Interchanges.

Traffic will be detoured to Golf Course Road, E Frontage Road, E 300 S and S 200 E.

Intermittent closures of E 400 South Road will continue throughout the duration of the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project. Construction is anticipated to be completed in late fall of 2025.

Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.

Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.

 

I-84/US-93 Interchange Ramp Construction

UPDATE: Daytime and nighttime ramp closure on the I-84 Westbound ramp Aug. 29 – Sept. 11. Daytime ramp closure affords construction crews the ability to expedite ramp paving. Project remains on schedule to be completed mid-October.

TWIN FALLS – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins construction on the I-84 and US-93 interchange on and off-ramps at Exit 173 in August 2023 which is expected to last approximately two months. Located just north of Twin Falls, the project will resurface the ramps, upgrade signals, and construct a right turn lane for the westbound I-84 off-ramp.

The public can expect the following traffic impacts:

  • Lane reductions in place at the on and off-ramps south of I-84.
  • Temporary closures will occur at the on and off-ramps 8 p.m. – 5 a.m.
  • Motorists will drive on a gravel surface during the day on the westbound on and off-ramps.
  • Construction will be staggered and no more than one ramp will be closed at a time.
  • Each ramp closure is expected to last for approximately eight nights.
  • Motorists will need to use alternate routes when closures are in place.
  • Signs and possibly flaggers or a temporary signal will be in place to direct traffic.

Download map for alternate route descriptions at https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/I84-US93-IC-RampClosures-1.pdf.

Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for impacts to traffic from construction.

Daytime detour for I-15/I-86 System Interchange expected in the next week

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.

Night Closures Planned for I-15 Northbound Lanes at Fort Hall Exit 80

Fort Hall Construction , I-15, Exit 80

POCATELLO – To facilitate construction of the new bridge at Fort Hall Exit 80 on I-15, night closures of the northbound lanes will occur tonight (Aug. 15), Wednesday Aug. 16, Monday Aug. 21 and Wednesday Aug. 23. During tonight’s construction forms will be placed from 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The other three nights girders will be erected from 9:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Northbound traffic will be diverted over the old overpass.

Motorists should plan for delays and exercise additional caution while travelling through the construction zone. Check 511.idaho.gov or download the 511 app to your phone for the last traffic conditions.

Variable speed limit signs in place in the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls work zone to improve safety

JEROME – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has installed variable speed limit signs to improve safety as crews widen I-84 between the South Jerome and Twin Falls Interchanges. The new signs are controlled remotely, allowing ITD to lower speeds when crews are working near traffic.

The current posted speed limit in the work zone is 70 mph. When crews are working near traffic, ITD will lower the speed limit, and a flashing beacon will notify drivers that speed limits have been lowered. When crews are not as close to traffic, ITD will raise the speed limits to 70 mph.

Variable speeds have been successfully implemented in other work zones, including the one on I-84 between Caldwell and Nampa. Research shows that variable speed limits reduce crashes, reduce travel times, and improve safety.

The signs will be removed when construction is complete in late fall of 2025.

Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.