CHALLIS – On Tuesday, June 7 at 8:00 am the Idaho Transportation Department will be closing US-93 north of Cow Creek Road between Challis and Salmon to replace a collapsed culvert. Work is expected to take approximately four hours. “Unfortunately, due to the nature of the work and the location we’ll have to close the road completely to replace the culvert,” said ITD Area Manager Cody Schmidt. “We’ll do everything we can to finish the repair as quickly as possible since there is no local detour route available.”
Gravel fill has been added to ensure the safety of the public until the repair can be completed. Drivers should slow when approaching the area and follow reduced speed limit signs to avoid windshield damage. Motorists are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app for the latest updates on construction, detours, and road closures.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will resurface two sections of U.S. Highway 93 through Twin Falls this spring and summer.
Work is expected to begin the week of March 21 on Pole Line Road from Grandview Drive to Blue Lakes Boulevard to maintain the roadway, provide better traction and enhance safety for motorists.
Construction involves grinding the top layer of existing concrete, while placing small grooves in the pavement to improve traction on surfaces that have become slick over time from heavy traffic and winter weather.
During construction:
- Work will occur overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to reduce impacts and congestion during commute hours for residents, businesses, and motorists.
- During night work, lane reductions will be in place. All lanes will be open during daytime hours.
- Access to businesses will be maintained but may be briefly limited when equipment moves in front of an intersection or driveway.
- Construction will be noisy, including equipment and back up alarms.
This project is expected to be completed in May.
Upon completion of the first project, crews will proceed with rehabilitating and reconstructing the pavement on Blue Lakes Boulevard from the Perrine Bridge to Pole Line Road. Other improvements will include Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades to pedestrian ramps and replacement of the traffic signal at the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard and Fillmore Street/Bridgeview Boulevard.
ITD will host an open house and online meeting in May to share more information about the second project.
To learn more about each project and sign up for construction updates, please visit itdprojects.org/projects/us-93improvements.
As part of Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” initiative, the 2021 Idaho Legislature dedicated $126 million of one-time funds from Idaho’s budget surplus to transportation projects statewide. The funds were split 60/40 between ITD and local jurisdictions. Construction on the Blue Lakes project is paid for with ITD’s portion of the funds that will accelerate projects to replace bridges, restore pavements, and improve mobility in communities across Idaho.
Repairs to a section of railroad east of Jerome will reduce traffic to one lane on U.S. Highway 93 where it crosses the roadway near 300 South Road. These repairs were expected to occur last week but have been rescheduled to tomorrow (Jan. 11).
Additional railroad repairs will also occur in Twin Falls to a section of railroad that crosses State Highway 74/Shoshone Street South near Minidoka Avenue. Repairs in this area will take place on Thursday (Jan. 13).
“We are coordinating with Eastern Idaho Railroad to complete this work which will help maintain functionality of the tracks and signal,” said ITD District Manager Jesse Barrus.
Motorists are advised to slow down and watch for signs and flaggers that will direct drivers through the work zones.
Repairs for each area are expected to be completed in one day
Dependent on weather, crews are expected to begin a week-long inspection of the Perrine Bridge starting Friday, January 7. During the inspection, crews will walk the arch, use an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and deploy ITD’s under-bridge inspection truck (UBIT) along the bridge deck.
Short duration (15 minute) single lane closures will occur each day in the left northbound lane to allow workers to access and exit the lower half of the structure. Traffic will also be reduced to one lane in either direction Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 while crew members utilize the inspection truck.
Work with the UBIT will occur during non-peak hours to help lessen traffic congestion through the area and is expected to follow the below schedule:
– Northbound Right Lane Closure: Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Southbound Right Lane Closure: Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drivers may consider using an alternate route between the hours listed above.
In addition to traffic impacts, base jumping may be subject to restrictions during portions of the inspection. ITD will provide personnel to coordinate with inspection crews and jumpers during regulated periods.
“The Perrine Bridge is a vital structure in the region and serves as a connector for thousands of motorists each day,” said ITD Bridge Inspector Amy Bower. “Inspections and routine maintenance projects play an important role in ensuring the bridge’s longevity for many years to come.”
Drivers are urged to exercise caution and patience near the work zone and watch for crew members and equipment. ITD appreciates the cooperation of those driving through the area.
On Monday, Sept. 27, a specialized crew will begin scaling operations along US-93 between Salmon and Challis. This work occurs regularly throughout Eastern Idaho to remove loose rock along the canyon wall that has a potential to fall onto the highway and create a hazard for motorists.
“Beginning next week and continuing through October, a team of five specialists will rappel down selected slopes to assess the area and dislodge rocks that may pose a danger,” ITD Geologist Shawn Enright said.
Scaling will occur Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the safety of motorists, the roadway will be closed to traffic for up to 20 minutes at a time while work is underway. Drivers are advised to watch for flaggers who will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
If necessary, emergency vehicles will be allowed to travel through active scaling areas once crews determine it is safe to do so.
Work will start north of Salmon and progress toward Challis. The following six locations will be addressed with this project:
- US-93 milepost 314.5 to 314.85
- US-93 milepost 286.55 to 286.7
- US-93 milepost 274.75 to 275.2
- US-93 milepost 259.91 to 259.94
- US-93 milepost 259.05 to 259.2
- US-93 milepost 252.8 to 252.9
“Since we began this work in 2005 we have noticed a substantial reduction in rock fall along our highways,” Enright stated. “Reducing unplanned rock fall allows our maintenance crews to focus on other activities throughout the year and, more importantly, it provides for a safer roadway for motorists.”
Construction is expected to begin Tuesday (June 1) on a pavement restoration project near Shoshone. Throughout the summer, crews will rehabilitate the base and resurface the roadway to provide a smoother and safer driving experience for motorists.
“We will begin work on the east side of Shoshone and then continue toward Marley for approximately 12 miles,” ITD Project Manager Tom Logan stated. “This project will use a combination of new and existing roadway materials to stabilize and extend the life of the highway.”
The E 20 North intersection will also be reconstructed as part of this project to improve safety and curves will be upgraded and realigned to meet current standards where necessary.
While crews are on site, the roadway will be reduced to a single lane – Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the possibility of some work occurring on Saturdays. Flaggers and pilot cars will be present to direct traffic through the work zone. Motorists are advised to slow down and watch for workers and heavy equipment in the area.
Knife River Corporation is the primary contractor on this $7 million project that is expected to be complete in September.
Traffic flow is expected to change as early as Friday, June 19 on US-93 between 200 S Road and 300 S Road in Jerome County. This is part of the ongoing US-93 widening project, which will see the highway transition from two lanes to four to increase mobility and traffic flow in the area.
“We will be placing temporary traffic signals at both ends of the project later this week,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Sam Purser. “While these signals are in place, crews will tie the newly constructed northbound lanes into the existing highway.”
Temporary signals will be utilized for approximately three to four weeks.
“We are not anticipating any additional intersection closures at this time,” stated Purser. “If we find closures are necessary for safety of the traveling public, we will implement them accordingly.”
Motorists can anticipate minor delays and are encouraged to plan ahead if commuting through the area. In addition to the signals, construction signage, candlesticks, and barrels will also be in place to safely direct those traveling through the work zone.
Drivers are advised to use caution and watch for workers and heavy equipment entering and exiting the highway.
“This project will improve safety at the US-93/200 South intersection for both passenger and commercial vehicles,” explained Purser. “The end result will be a divided highway similar to what drivers encounter two miles south of this area.”
Idaho Materials and Construction is the prime contractor for this project.
For more information visit https://itdprojects.org/projects/us-93-200-south-road
