5/21/2009
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Tips to avoid heavy Memorial Day traffic on Idaho 55
BOISE - If your Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) plans include travel on Idaho State Highway 55, the Idaho Transportation Department advises you to avoid the heaviest traffic by traveling outside peak travel times and/or using alternate routes.
Since 1995, ITD has assisted motorists over the longer Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holiday weekends at the heavily used intersection of Idaho 55 and the Banks-to-Lowman Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway. Travelors will see message boards in that area along with flaggers to help move the traffic along smoothly on Monday (May 25) starting at 10 a.m. Flaggers will remain in place until they are not required.
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 Maintenance 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 May 26.
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/