6/29/2017
Plan ahead for travel across Interstate 15 this Fourth of July
POCATELLO –The Idaho Transportation Department reminds motorists to plan extra time for Fourth of July travel across Interstate 15 in eastern Idaho.
ITD plans to reopen I-15 between the Lava Beds and Bonneville County line by the morning of July 4, but lane restrictions will continue for the Pocatello Bridges on the holiday.
The McCarty and Shattock Butte bridges north of Idaho Falls also will remain closed. Several additional road closures are scheduled in Idaho Falls on the Fourth of July for the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, including the I-15 off-ramps at Sunnyside Road. Closures are noted on the Idaho Falls city website at idahofallsidaho.gov under “Independence Day Celebration.”
Dan Harelson, ITD Engineering Manager, stresses the importance of paying attention and slowing down in construction zones. "Even on a holiday when crews are not working, speed-limit reductions are designed to protect drivers in work zones," said Harelson.
Construction and single-lane closures will resume on July 6 in all active I-15 construction zones, including the work zone between Arimo and McCammon.
ITD released a free smartphone app last week to help motorists estimate travel times for upcoming trips on I-15. The app is available for download from the App Store and Google Play. Drivers also can request email alerts about construction by texting INTERSTATE15 to 22828.
ITD will make extensive bridge repairs and pavement improvements on I-15 in 2017 and 2018. Construction is expected to continue for the next several years.