Travel

As you travel through work zones, slow down and pay attention.

 

• Go to 511 Road Report for roadwork locations
• Go to ITD Projects for construction details

See videos below to learn more about road maintenance operations and what it is like to work within the Cone Zone.

 

Working in the Cone Zone: Short Duration Operations

Along with larger road construction projects, which are typically well-marked and have better visibility for drivers, the work of ITD’s highway maintenance crews also often includes a lot of Short Duration Operations. These can pop up anywhere, at any time. Whether it is a highway worker stopping to remove a shredded tire or animal carcass from the road, or performing maintenance work like an impromptu guardrail repair right next to the travel lanes, these jobs generally put workers closer to the road, and closer to danger – there is less time for the worker or the driver to take evasive action in those circumstances. Sadly, an ITD operator was killed just outside Arco during a Short Duration Operation, reminding us all of the importance of being safe and vigilant in all work zones across the state.

Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.

ITD recommends a common-sense approach to driving in work zones:

• Check Idaho’s 511 Road Report before driving to determine whether you might encounter highway construction. You can also call 5-1-1, or download the mobile 511 app.
• Slow down and drive at the posted speed limit or at speeds appropriate for conditions.
• Adhere to traffic signs and follow the directions of flaggers and pilot cars, when present. Prepare for heavy equipment operating in the area.
• Watch for altered traffic patterns or reduced lane widths. Devote your full attention to driving and avoid distractions such as cell-phone use.
• Expect delays and exercise patience.
• Always wear a seat belt.

Spring Load Limits

• For information on current restrictions, load limits & locations on Idaho highways go to: 511.idaho.gov
• Spring road restrictions in Idaho

Every spring, ITD imposes spring breakup load limits to protect our highways. This practice minimizes damage to these roads from heavier vehicle loads using these routes during the freeze-thaw cycle. Spring breakup load limits are fairly common in areas with the most severe winter weather — northern and eastern Idaho.

Typically, larger commercial vehicles are limited to a lower speed and axle weight.

When subjected to high speeds and heavy loads, soft spots begin to wear, eventually breaking up and creating potholes.

Motorists are urged to be patient when traveling on highways where limitations have been placed.

AAA, ISP, ITD spotlight: Slow Down, Move Over, Save a Life

Safe Travel Videos

• Slow Down, Leave Some Space
• Working Along the Roadways
• Move Over Law Expansion
• Safety for Highway Workers

Click for more ITD Videos

 

“Slow Down, Move Over” protects emergency responders and maintenance crews working to keep our roads safe

The “Move Over” law provided protections for police by requiring motorists to move over for law-enforcement personnel operating with flashing lights. Now drivers must also move over for other emergency responders to traffic incidents, too, such as tow truck operators using flashing lights in a stationary position.

Vehicles pass by ITD workers every day on the state highways or the interstate at 60-80 mph or more. The sudden gush of air from the passing motorist or the rocking of the ITD vehicle as a semi passes by is a sober reminder that death is only feet away.

“The ‘Move Over’ Law makes an inherently risky job safer for our staff,” said Jerry Wilson, ITD Operations Engineer in North Idaho. “At highway speeds, it only takes a split second for an accident to happen, so making some space to allow our crews to maintain the roads makes the highways safer, both for us and the traveling public.”

“We really appreciate the courtesy of other drivers who slow down and move over to give us a safer space to do our jobs,” said ITD Treasure Valley Incident Response driver Kyle Wright. “That buffer of space makes a big difference. The less we have to worry about vehicles moving past us, the more we’re able to focus on the incidents we’re working on, and hopefully remedy them more safely and quickly.”

• Idaho Highway Map – Digital version (36 MB)
  • The Idaho Highway Map includes paved and unpaved routes, cities, counties, scenic byways, historical trails, state and national parks, backcountry airports, ski areas, and more.
• Idaho Motorcycle Routes Map – Digital version
  • Idaho’s Motorcycle Map highlights scenic routes and designates technical sections for more experienced riders. Also, there are Motorcycle Safety information and resources

Websites & information for traveling Idaho

• Idaho’s Historical Markers locations & details
  • Idaho Highway History, 1863 to 1975
• Discover Idaho – The Official Idaho Travel Guide | visitid.org
• Road report: Idaho 511
• Transporting a Boat, Watercraft Inspections & Invasive Species

IPlan | Idaho’s online mapping resource
Go to IPlan to find:

• Idaho Statewide System App – Route locations & mile point log
• Idaho General Information App – Route details & administrative boundaries
• Plus more Idaho geographical information at IPlan

Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Information

• Sign Up for “ITD News” Emails
• Idaho Autonomous & Connected Vehicle Testing Deployment Committee First Report to the Governor – 2018

Request a SNOW winter driving presentation

SNOW stands for Safely Navigate Our Winter, and SNOW events share safety tips for winter driving and give hands-on experiences with plow trucks to drivers, students and other interested groups upon request.

ITD snowplow operators visit your group and share their experiences keeping the roads safe. SNOW aims to teach drivers about snowplow safety with a short presentation and tour of a snowplow. It’s a way to connect drivers directly with the people and equipment that keep the roads safe and reduce the number of winter crashes.

Fill out the presentation request form and an employee will be in touch to schedule a presentation. Scheduling is subject to weather conditions, as all plows are used in every storm and may not be immediately available for a presentation.

• Request a SNOW Presentation (Form)
• Please allow up to five days for a response.

Road & Weather Conditions, Cameras & Construction

Be prepared for changing travel conditions all across Idaho

> Go to: 511.idaho.gov | Idaho’s 511 Road Report

• Learn more about Idaho highways at Winter Driving: Be Idaho Ready
• For construction project locations & details go to: itdprojects.idaho.gov

How to be safe around snowplows

1. Do not pass a plow on the right. Plows have a 10-foot extendable wing plow on the right side that may be difficult to see in snowy conditions.
2. Provide ample space for plows to work and steer clear of their blind spots. This also means increasing your following distance behind the plow.
3. Practice patience and stay behind the plow for the safest road conditions.
4. Plows often operate in pairs to clear multiple lanes; never position yourself between tandem plows.
5. In case of a crash or if you need to stop on the side of the road, stay inside your vehicle for both your safety and that of our plow operators.

Winter Driving in Idaho

Whether you’ve lived in Idaho your whole life or are a new resident, it’s important to do everything you can to prepare for an Idaho winter. As the cold weather sets in, so do winter road conditions.

How do you prepare for winter travel in Idaho?

We recommend starting by calling 5-1-1 or visiting 511.idaho.gov to check road conditions and alerting friends and family of your travel plans (especially if you are traveling through areas with poor cellular service).

• Winter Driving Checklist: Is your vehicle ready for the road? Did you pack essential items in case of an emergency?
• Studded Snow Tire Dates: Legal use timeframes for Idaho and surrounding states