Hundreds of highway signs to be replaced this summer

ITD will repair or replace nearly 150 highway signs along southwest Idaho roads this spring and summer as part of an annual commitment to improve safe travel.

The department is responsible for providing safe roads for Idaho motorists, which includes ensuring clear and understandable information by providing proper signs.

Areas targeted for sign repair are Interstate 84 from the Oregon Border to east of Mountain Home (mileposts 0-121), I-184 (the Connector), U.S. 20/26 in Boise and the U.S. 95 Spur in Fruitland.

Of the 149 sign locations to be upgraded, 73 need replacement of sign faces, posts and foundations. Another 76 will have new sign faces only.

"Almost 26,000 square feet of signs will be repaired, with crews replacing damaged posts, replacing old sign bases with new break-safe sign bases, improving brackets and updating the reflectivity on sign panels where the paint has dulled," said ITD project manager Jim Justice.

Most of the work will be on the shoulder and will not require lane closures. All work that impacts traffic will be done overnight, and no work will take place on the Connector during the evenings of Boise State home football games.

Lane closures will be coordinated with special events if necessary.

Work also will not be done during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Sign repairs and replacement will be done under a contract because they are beyond the capacity of ITD’s five-man sign crew. Many of the signs have never been replaced and are fading, which makes it difficult for motorists to see. The project should be completed by late summer.

Published 3-22-13