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Idaho Transportation
Department
Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563

 


ITD urges caution, patience on long weekend

Motorists heading out for a long Labor Day weekend in Idaho should find highways unrestricted by construction projects, but could encounter firefighting traffic as crews battle major wildfires in central Idaho.

Highway construction activity is suspended beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through Labor Day - Monday.

The transportation department encourages motorists to drive safely this weekend and observe the following tips:

  • Buckle your seat belt and ensure that children are secured in appropriate child safety seats
  • Do not drink alcohol before getting behind the wheel
  • If your party plans include alcohol consumption, choose a designated driver and relinquish your car keys
  • Be patient and courteous - taking risks on the highway puts yourself, your passengers and the occupants of other vehicles at risk
  • Expect congestion on popular routes and plan your travel schedule accordingly
  • Call 5-1-1 or visit the Idaho Traveler Service Web site - 511.idaho.gov - for the latest highway conditions

Recreationists who use Idaho 55 during the Labor Day weekend can avoid heavy traffic by traveling outside peak travel times or using an alternate route.

The transportation department's holiday traffic control project will assist motorists at the junction of Idaho 55 and Banks to Lowman Road on Monday, Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The hours may be extended if traffic remains heavy there.

Flaggers have assisted motorists at this location since 1995.

Motorists also should be aware of construction on Idaho 55 at Rainbow Bridge near Smiths Ferry. Both lanes of the bridge will be open from noon today (Aug. 31) to noon on Tuesday (Sept. 4), to accommodate holiday weekend traffic. Motorists traveling outside these times should expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

The Rainbow Bridge project is designed to preserve and protect the structure for future generations and improve safety for today's traveler. Mowat Construction Co. is upgrading the arch piers, bridge rail, floor beams, deck joints and bridge columns. The work is scheduled to be complete this fall.

Construction crews will take precautions to avoid impacts to rafters and kayakers on the North Fork of the Payette River.

ITD offers the following tips for holiday travelers in central Idaho:

  • Consider using an alternate route other than Idaho 55. 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 the return trip.

Published 8-31-07