11/10/2015
Wildlife-warning beacons north of Hailey continue to malfunction, temporarily turned off
HAILEY – Technical glitches in the controlling hardware of two wildlife-crossing warning beacons along Idaho 75 continue to interrupt their operation and they will be temporarily shut down for the second time in two months beginning today (Nov. 10). The extent of the repairs and duration until the beacons are operational are unknown.
The Idaho Transportation Department returned the control boards for the warning beacons to the manufacturer in September after they started malfunctioning. The beacons, located north of Hailey, were out of commission for about two weeks before a repair was made. However, the beacons recently started to operate erratically, requiring another temporary shutdown of the lights.
ITD engineers are working with the manufacturing company to determine the problem and find a resolution to the continued malfunction.
Drivers are reminded that the nighttime reduced speed limit of 45 mph between McKercher Boulevard and Zinc Spur Road remains in effect.
The wildlife signage and beacons, along with the associated nighttime speed limit, were installed in October 2013. Drivers are reminded to continue using caution along Idaho 75 to watch for wildlife throughout the Hailey-to-Ketchum corridor.