9/2/2009
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Alternate routes strongly encouraged; ITD flaggers to assist Labor Day travelers
BOISE - If your Labor Day weekend plans include travel on Idaho 55, the Idaho Transportation Department strongly advises you to avoid the heaviest traffic by traveling outside the peak travel times and/or using alternate routes on the return trip.
Flaggers at the road's intersection with the Banks-to-Lowman highway also will assist in a smoother trip. Motorists can expect delays of 15 minutes or longer.
During these holiday weekends, traffic volumes skyrocket on both Idaho 55 south and on old highway 17 (the Banks-to-Lowman road) from Garden Valley heading toward the intersection.
During the 2008 Fourth of July weekend, for instance, Idaho 55 saw about 9,300 vehicles coming south toward Boise, and about 3,000 vehicles headed to the old highway 17 (Banks-to-Lowman highway)/Idaho 55 intersection from Garden Valley.
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.
Travelers will see message boards in that area along with flaggers to help move the traffic along smoothly on Monday (Sept. 7) starting at 10 a.m. Flaggers will remain in place until traffic lessens and they are no longer 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 but will resume Tuesday (Sept. 8).
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 to New Meadows, 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.
ITD and the Idaho State Police caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.