11/28/2016
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Finding suitable alternate route during eastern Idaho storms reduces detour from 45 minutes to just 10, enhances safety
IDAHO FALLS - Severe dust storms make it necessary to close a lengthy section of Interstate 15 north of Idaho Falls up to five times each year on average, at eight hours per occurrence. This caused congestion that decreased mobility and safety, and was inconvenient for the traveling public. Working with Jefferson County officials, the Idaho Transportation Department found a solution that reduces the detour time from 45 minutes on average, to just 10 minutes.
The old detour route covers 28.6 miles in relatively heavy traffic that runs through the northbound off-ramp of Exit 119 in Idaho Falls — the busiest off-ramp on I-15. ITD District 6 (eastern Idaho office) worked with county officials to gain access to Bassett Road, which parallels the interstate and is not greatly affected by dust storms. Using this route shortens the detour length to the Osgood Interchange (Exit 128) to just 6.5 miles.
Meanwhile, this route bypasses the congested and busy interchanges, and allow northbound traffic to continue to the Osgood exit, keeping the off-ramp of Exit 119 from becoming severely congested.
Southbound traffic will now get off at the Roberts Interchange (Exit 135), proceed to Bassett Road, and then get back on the interstate at Osgood.
Click here for a map of the old detour route, compared to the new detour route.
“The current detour route adds significant mileage and time to typical motorists on the interstate. This new route traverses fewer residential areas and school zones than the old detour course,” ITD District 6 Traffic Engineer Ben Burke said. “This also helps with local-delivery drivers and long-haul drivers staying on time and keeping commerce moving. Further, it is safer for crews setting up closure signs and barricades.”
In addition, every vehicle traveling the new route will save one to three gallons of fuel, reducing
transportation costs and emissions.
Closing the interstate is often a joint operation with the Idaho State Police (ISP). This new route helps ISP as well as ITD, reducing the number of accidents, decreasing the amount of time to open and close the road, and minimizing the number of personnel required to perform this task.
Assisting Ben Burke with the route innovation and logistics were ITD Maintenance Foreman JR Grotjohn and Crew Lead David Fullmer of District 6’s Idaho Falls shed. The team estimates that the innovation will save approximately $96,000 and up to 667 hours in societal cost based on the average number of closures, average daily traffic, and an assumed value of motorist time.