Lane restrictions and closures for sign installation at US-20 Rexburg exits happening this week and next

A drill rig and other equipment, as well as orange traffic control devices, at US-20 Exit 333 while work is being conducted.

REXBURG— One lane and full closures at Exits 332 and 333 off U.S. Highway 20 in Rexburg are ongoing today and into next week. These restrictions are required so contractors can drill deep foundations for the large overhead signs that will soon be the finishing touch on the Diverging Diamond Interchanges completed last fall.

Both of these Rexburg exits will see one lane closures in the areas where drilling work is occurring. Traffic control will move with equipment and the road fully open wherever possible.

Next Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20 Exit 333 will be fully closed overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. ITD and contractor partners are working through the night so traffic can flow as usual through the daytime hours.

Large equipment, including a drill rig to reach the required 18-foot foundation depth, will need to be in the roadway underneath US-20 for work at both locations, reaching across and over the median concrete barriers. To keep everyone safe and be able to swiftly clean up any water or debris that the drilling creates, lane restrictions and closures have been deemed essential. ITD and contractor partners are committed to completing the work as quickly as possible to cause the least amount of traffic disruption.

“The foundation for the bridge and cantilever posts that will hold the large overhead signs has to be particularly deep,” Resident Engineer Curtis Calderwood stated. “We want them to be secure and have integrity in the wind. This is pretty well the last holdout for getting the exits truly finished.”

These restrictions and closures will be noted on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.

ITD Island Park foreman addresses multi-fatality crash

ITD Ashton/ Island Park foreman Ryan Wright at the site of a multi-fatality crash on US-20 near the Idaho/ Montana border.

Tragedy is, just that, tragic. The need and desire for reverence is legitimate. Difficult and hallowed situations can also cause strength, character and work ethic to shine admirably.

In sorrow for the lives lost during the crash that this article refers to, and hope that others who can relate will know they are not alone, we share the story of our role in the response.

Idaho State Police and the Idaho Transportation Department in East Idaho have a history that speaks for itself— ISP Lieutenant Marvin Crain and his troopers don’t hesitate to rely on ITD because the partnership has been proven time and time again. ITD operations and maintenance personnel across East Idaho are used to working beside ISP, ready to assist on scene as valuable first responders and traffic control.

Such was the case on the evening of Thursday, May 1, for a multiple fatality crash on US-20 at milepost 399. ITD Ashton/ Island Park foreman Ryan Wright has been in his role for the past 15 years and is an integral part of the small communities he serves. He heard about the incident just after it happened. Knowing it was blocking both north and southbound lanes, he sent his Island Park crew to direct traffic before ISP ever called. Wright then got in his own truck and headed to the scene personally.

“I don’t know what frame of mind a guy goes into it with. I can’t say you get used to it because you don’t,” Wright emphasized. “It’s just something we have to do. I guess it’s just work mode.” He said he tries to keep his crew members from having to be right in the thick of things during crash responses.

Once there, ISP spoke with Wright to request an additional flagger farther south. An Ashton crew member was called and showed up to fill that role. Wright himself pitched in to help however he could, knowing the Fremont County Coroner personally and working alongside the familiar ISP folks involved.

Wright and his crew members were on scene and assisting until the crash was cleared around 2 a.m.

“It’s when you get home and the adrenaline goes down and you start thinking,” Wright said. “The visions in your head you just don’t get rid of.”

East Idaho ITD leadership and Safety Officer Ronnie Butler made contact personally to get CISM, the Critical Incident Stress Management team that exists in each ITD district, available and ready for Wright and his crew. The individuals who are part of a CISM team are trained to offer a listening ear, help manage expectations after a traumatic event, and connect employees to the services needed. Each member is interviewed before joining the team and has related experience of their own.

“I’m not sure why I’ve always been able to handle it because I’ve seen some terrible wrecks,” Wright added. “We each deal with stuff our own way. I’ll usually call another foreman. We have each other.”

In the time since the crash, Wright has had to re-visit the site to assess damage and determine what needs done to ensure the continued integrity of US-20 near the Montana border. This road is the connection to the western entrance of Yellowstone National Park. ITD crews will conduct mastic and grader operations in the coming weeks as soon as investigations allow.

To our ITD operations and maintenance crews across the state, your contributions as first responders and the ones who pitch in during traumatic incidents do not go un-noticed. Thank you for your strength—you are appreciated and of such great worth.

Resources will always be available to help after an incident. Any ITD employee struggling as a result of work or on a personal level, don’t hesitate to contact your CISM representatives—they are happy to help and located to be able to respond immediately. You are not alone.

East Idaho travelers will see even more improvements to US-20

Orange traffic control barrels and lights along US-20 in east Idaho as traffic moves beside.

RIGBY—Exploratory drilling along U.S. Highway 20 from Idaho Falls to Rigby, as well as pavement replacement within the active roadway north of Rexburg, begins Monday. The Idaho Transportation Department is urging travelers to be aware of equipment and crews through these particularly busy areas.

“Last year, we had three near miss occurrences as we were drilling on US-20 near Idaho Falls,” ITD Geologist Shawn Enright said. “We want people to be particularly aware so we can make sure everyone gets home at night and the work gets done too.”

Over the next three weeks, contractor partners will have drill rigs and traffic control in operation near the ramps, overpasses and canal crossings from Interstate 15 Exit 119 in Idaho Falls to Rigby to gather data for potential future widening of US-20. Work will happen within the shoulder or roadside.

More efforts to improve US-20 from North Rexburg Exit 337 to Driggs/ Jackson Exit 339 are also beginning Monday and will continue throughout the next three weeks. Contractor partners will be repairing the worst sections of roadway to provide a smoother ride for motorists.

The northbound ramp to access US-20 at Exit 337 will be closed through the day on Tuesday, April 29. Once work has progressed north, motorists will see closures of the northbound on-ramps at Sugar City/ Salem Exit 338 and Driggs/ Jackson Exit 339. Each closure is expected to last no more than a few days and will only remain through daytime hours.

This work will be noted on the Idaho 511 app and 511.idaho.gov. Drive aware and drive safe while crews make Idaho’s roads better.

Look out for crews and traffic control as spring road work begins across East Idaho

ITD crews perform crack sealing repairs on I-15. Men are wearing hi-vis yellow and operating handheld equipment at the back of a small crack sealing trailer.

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.

Final full closure for US-20 Rexburg interchange starts tomorrow

US-20 Exit 333 at Rexburg, road closed sign in place with construction equipment surrounding

U.S. Highway 20 Exit 333 for Main Street in Rexburg will fully close beginning tomorrow. This closure allows crews to complete final paving operations and marks the last time Rexburg exits are expected to close for the construction of new diverging diamond interchanges. Exit 333 will be re-opened as soon as paving and striping work is finished, on or before October 29.

“Our goal was to have these projects completed by late fall and that really is going to happen,” Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We’re so grateful to the Rexburg community for their support and patience.”

After re-opening, construction efforts at Exit 333 will be largely off the roadway, with only limited lane closures from that point on. Motorists can expect some interruptions as work continues toward final completion, though they will be short lived.

With construction efforts winding down, motorists will also see improvements to timing for the traffic signals at both Exits 332 and 333. Engineers will make signal adjustments until the movement of the new interchanges is ideal for typical traffic flow.

Since March, the Idaho Transportation Department and contractor partners have been working to complete the massive undertaking of rebuilding Exits 332 and 333 in Rexburg. Both exits are now operating diverging diamond interchanges that are expected to resolve former traffic concerns in the Rexburg area.

US-20 South Rexburg Exit to close starting Monday

Road closed signs at Exit 332 on US-20 in Rexburg.

U.S. Highway 20 Exit 332 for University Boulevard in Rexburg will fully close starting Monday, September 30, for crews to complete final paving and striping operations. Work is not expected to take more than a few days, and the exit will be re-opened as soon as it is completed.

This closure was purposefully scheduled during Madison School District’s harvest break to least affect traffic. Detours include Exit 328 (Thornton), Exit 333 (Main Street) and Exit 337 (North Rexburg). After re-opening next week, construction work at Exit 332 will be minimal and off the roadway.

Construction does continue at Exit 333, with one lane running in each direction. These projects to create safe and efficient diverging diamond interchanges at both Rexburg exits are still expected to be complete later this fall.

For more information about this project, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg. Drivers can also use the 511 app to see current status on this and other Idaho projects.

US-20 Exit 333 in Rexburg re-opens

Aerial map and graphic descriptions of how to drive the diverging diamond traffic pattern at Rexburg Exit 333

REXBURG— U.S. Highway 20 Exit 333 in Rexburg will re-open Thursday night with a new diverging diamond interchange in place. This exit has been closed since late July so the Idaho Transportation Department and contractors could construct the new road design and complete vital underground infrastructure work.

The re-opening comes in time for an increase of traffic as university students arrive in Rexburg for the fall semester. All lanes of traffic will be open and construction efforts remain off the roadway at both Exit 332 (University Boulevard) and Exit 333 (Main Street) through this weekend to accommodate this influx.

“There really is a light at the end of the tunnel in Rexburg,” ITD Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We’re excited to be giving people some relief from construction and know that these new exits will do a great job of keeping everyone safe and moving better. Thank you for bearing with us.”

Motorists and citizens should be aware that construction efforts will continue again next week and through the month of October. Intermittent single-lane closures will be in place, with traffic still able to move through the interchanges. Impacts will be noted on 511.idaho.gov.

University Boulevard Exit will fully close again during the week of September 30 through October 4 to allow crews to add a final layer of pavement. This timeframe has been selected in coordination with when Madison School District is out of school for harvest break. Work on both exits is on track to be completed late this Fall. For further details about this project and to watch a video on how to drive the new diverging diamond traffic pattern, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg.

US-20 Exit 333 to remain closed through Labor Day

US-20 Exit 333 into Rexburg with construction markers and road closed barricades in place.

U.S. Highway 20 Exit 333 for Rexburg will remain closed through Labor Day weekend and into next week. Contractors and crews have encountered multiple difficulties on site, including the breakage and repair of a main sewer line last week, causing unanticipated delays. The Idaho Transportation Department is now committed to Exit 333 being open ahead of the influx of university traffic on Friday, September 13.

While this primary exit into Rexburg has been closed during the month of August, ITD and contractor partners have repaired and rebuilt multiple city utilities, constructed and repaired drainage and irrigation systems, as well as removed and reconfigured the road itself. This work takes additional operational time now but will save city and community partners from having to close the roadway for infrastructure needs in the future.

“We know that Rexburg has endured a lot with construction this summer,” Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We hope people will continue to be patient for just a little longer and know that the end outcome will be a major improvement for the long-term future.”

Completion of all work on both Exit 332 for University Boulevard and Exit 333 for Main Street is still expected to be completed by late fall. Motorists should plan for continued construction near the interchanges until that time, with at least one lane of traffic open in both directions.

Exit 333 will reopen with the same diverging diamond interchange design as is now operating at exit 332. This traffic pattern is far more efficient than what was in place before and will greatly improve travel to and from Rexburg.

Further details about this project and how to drive the new design can be found at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg.

Public invited to view latest information on study to improve US-20 from Ashton to SH-87 JCT

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host two public meetings next week to share developments and seek public input for the preliminary environmental study of U.S. Highway 20 between Ashton and the State Highway 87 junction.

The purpose and need of the corridor study is to enhance highway safety and operations by decreasing crash severity, addressing traffic growth, improving access management and addressing regional freight movement.

Following a two-year process that included significant analysis and public involvement, including a stakeholder screening group, several improvement options are recommended to move forward and will be on display at the public meetings. The options included various four-lane highway alternatives being considered.

The option of adding more alternate passing lanes was determined by the stakeholder screening group to be least beneficial and will likely not be recommended to proceed because it does not meet the purpose and need requirements of improved safety and mobility. Future traffic data estimates indicate this option has excessive congestion and travel delays by 2050 and a concern by engineers that this inconsistent lanes design over 40 miles of mountain highway with more than 10,000 vehicles a day during peak season creates high risk crash zones at multiple traffic merge areas versus other options reviewed.

The study is a first step in efforts to reduce congestion, enhance safety, and improve mobility throughout the region. Public input is important to the process and ITD welcomes feedback on study alternatives. Recommendations from the study may be used or adopted into future National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) studies, which will also include community outreach and public engagement opportunities. Funding beyond the PEL study has not been identified.

ITD experts will be available to answer questions and discuss the alternatives and timeline of the study. The format and content will be the same at both meetings. The locations are:

Ashton Community Center and Library

925 Main Street
Ashton, ID 83420

August 21, 2024
5 – 7 p.m.

Island Park EMS Building
4378 County Circle
August 22, 2024
5 – 7 p.m.

For those who can’t attend in person, an online meeting will be available from August 22 – September 5 at itdprojects.org/projects/us-20-ashton-to-sh-87-jct.

US-20 Main Street Exit in Rexburg to fully close Monday

Construction at Rexburg Exit 333, which will be fully closed on Monday, July 22 through August

The Main Street Exit for Rexburg on U.S. Highway 20 will fully close beginning next Monday. The closure at Exit 333 will allow the Idaho Transportation Department to efficiently construct a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) like the one now operating at University Boulevard (Exit 332). The closure is expected to last through the month of August.

All ramps at Exit 333, as well as Main Street between the ramps, will be closed to traffic and detoured to nearby interchanges. Through traffic on US-20 will be unaffected during construction.

Detours include Thornton (Exit 328), University Boulevard (Exit 332), and North Rexburg (Exit 337). A new permanent traffic signal will be in place and operating to aid the flow of traffic at the North Rexburg Exit prior to this closure. One-lane closures are in effect at the University Boulevard Exit while construction efforts continue there.

“We thank everyone for their patience and understanding in dealing with road construction in Rexburg this summer,” Project Manager Conner Huffaker said. “We really are trying to keep traffic flowing and minimize the impact on people as much as possible. There’s a lot to get done in a short amount of time and all of it will make travel in Rexburg better once it is.”

Businesses near the Main Street Exit remain open, with alternate access available and signed. Construction crews will also coordinate with emergency responders to ensure access through the closed work zone when needed.

The city of Rexburg and ITD completed a cooperative agreement during the planning phase of this project to have the contractor complete city requested work items, including a sewer repair during road construction. Crews will insert a manhole and repair a damaged sewer pipe so that additional closure for this needed infrastructure work won’t have to occur in the future.

Construction of all Rexburg US-20 interchanges is expected to be fully complete in late October. More details about this project can be found at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us20rexburg.