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Light traffic kept Memorial Day cars moving on Idaho 55

Whether it was the weather, or the economy, or careful planning, Memorial Day was a little less chaotic for travelers on Idaho 55 this year.

Unseasonably cool weather probably deterred campers, and high gas prices might have limited activities to shorter trips, according to Brian Inwards, maintenance foreman at ITD's Banks/Cascade shed. He reported congestion to be less than normal at the junction of Idaho 55 and the Banks-to-Lowman highway.

“The bad weather seemed to keep a lot of people at home, which made our job pretty easy,” he said after the busy holiday weekend that traditionally represents the beginning of summer recreation travel.

“We started the flaggers at 10 a.m. and pulled them at about 3:30 p.m. The longest delays we had in either direction were about five minutes.”

ITD arranges for traffic control on three peak summer holidays – Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day to reduce congestion and keep vehicles moving safely through the recreational corridor.

Published 6-8-2012