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.
TWIN FALLS – Lane restrictions on Perrine Bridge and Glenns Ferry Bridges are scheduled for June 20-25. Drivers can expect traffic delays across the bridges while Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) crews conduct routine bridge inspections.
Glenns Ferry Bridges
June 20-23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Traffic on both east- and westbound bridges at milepost 121.6 on Interstate 84 will be reduced to one lane in either direction when crews begin work on the eastbound bridge with an 11-ft width lane restriction starting Tuesday, June 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Westbound right-lane closure will begin when eastbound work is completed.
Perrine Bridge
June 24-25 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in either direction while crews move from the south end of the bridge to the north end with an 11-ft width lane restriction:
– Southbound right lane closure: Saturday, June 24 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Northbound right lane closure: Sunday, June 25 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“These special bridge inspections only take a couple of days to accomplish, while routine inspections take a week or more and both are important to ensure the safety and longevity of our state bridges,” said ITD Bridge Inspector Amy Bower.
ITD, Idaho State Police, and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.
SHOSHONE – UPDATE – Commuter motorists will be detoured in-town around the Shoshone railroad construction zone while trucks will be detoured onto to highways.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) asks drivers in the Shoshone area to plan ahead, as a section of U.S. Route 26 at milepost 165.93 will be closed for railroad repair May 16-18.
The crossing will be closed to motorists starting on Tuesday, May 16 at 6 a.m. and will reopen when work is complete by approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. To receive the most current traffic updates, call 511 or sign up at 511.idaho.gov.
Union Pacific Railroad Company will conduct repairs to address the aging infrastructure and includes removing old steel tracks and replacing with new steel tracks, concrete slabs, and asphalt.
Commuter motorists will be detoured in-town around the Shoshone railroad construction zone. All commercial trucks traveling northbound on U.S. Route 93 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 26. Those traveling southbound on State Highway 75 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 20. The closure and detour will remain for approximately three days until the railroad crossing repairs are completed.
ITD, Idaho State Police, and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.
SHOSHONE – A Union Pacific Railroad company crew is working to reopen a railroad crossing in Shoshone that is temporarily closed due to a trucking accident that happened late Friday afternoon on May 12. Crews are currently onsite and expect to have the section of road along U.S. Route 26 at milepost 165.93 opened as soon as repairs are completed within the next few hours.
A truck pulling a trailer hooked part of a rail while traveling over the railroad crossing and caused damage to the rail and tore out several concrete slabs. There are no reported injuries.
Motorists can expect traffic delays around the Shoshone area and should find alternate routes. To receive the most current traffic updates, call 511 or sign up at 511.idaho.gov.
This incident does not impact the scheduled railroad crossing repair currently scheduled for next week starting May 16. The crossing will be closed to motorists starting on Tuesday, May 16 at 6 a.m. and will reopen when work is complete by approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18.
Union Pacific Railroad Company will conduct repairs to address the aging infrastructure and includes removing old steel tracks and replacing with new steel tracks, concrete slabs, and asphalt.
Motorists traveling northbound on U.S. Route 93 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 26. Those traveling southbound on State Highway 75 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 20. The closure and detour will remain for approximately three days until the railroad crossing repairs are completed.
ITD, Idaho State Police, and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.
SHOSHONE – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) asks drivers in the Shoshone area to plan ahead, as a section of U.S. Route 26 at milepost 165.93 will be closed for railroad repair May 16-18.
The crossing will be closed to motorists starting on Tuesday, May 16 at 6 a.m. and will reopen when work is complete by approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. To receive the most current traffic updates, call 511 or sign up at 511.idaho.gov.
Union Pacific Railroad Company will conduct repairs to address the aging infrastructure and includes removing old steel tracks and replacing with new steel tracks, concrete slabs, and asphalt.
Motorists traveling northbound on U.S. Route 93 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 26. Those traveling southbound on State Highway 75 wishing to proceed toward Shoshone will be detoured west on U.S. Route 20. The closure and detour will remain for approximately three days until the railroad crossing repairs are completed.
ITD, Idaho State Police, and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.
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.”
