8/29/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Holiday flagging proram gives assistance to Idaho 55 drivers over Labor Day
BOISE - Recreationists who plan to use Idaho 55 during the Labor Day holiday weekend can avoid the heaviest traffic by traveling outside peak travel times or using alternate routes, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced.
The transportation department's holiday traffic control project will assist motorists at the intersection of Idaho 55 and the Banks-to-Lowman Road on Monday (Sept. 1), tentatively from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Message boards on Idaho 55 and the Banks-to-Lowman Road will alert motorists. Flaggers have assisted motorists at this intersection since 1995. The program is in place over the longer Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holiday weekends.
An Incident Response vehicle also will be on hand.
"Congestion is heaviest in this area, as travelers from the Garden Valley area access Idaho 55," said ITD Regional Engineer Gary Moles. "We want everyone to have a safe and fun weekend."
All ITD projects will be suspended during the holiday and will resume Sept. 2.
The transportation department offers the following tips for holiday weekend travelers:
- Congestion is heaviest on the last evening of the holiday weekend, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Consider returning from your trip before or after this time to avoid the rush.
- Consider using an alternate route. To use U.S. 95, travel north on Idaho 55 from McCall, take U.S. 95 south and use Interstate 84 to return to the Treasure Valley. This route may take less time than using Idaho 55 on a congested day. Recreationists leaving the Garden Valley area may want to use Idaho 21 to return to the Treasure Valley.
- If you choose to use Idaho 55 when congestion is heaviest, be patient and plan an extra hour or two for your return trip/