Planning to head north of Boise on Idaho 55? Be ready for some big delays
Summer is here.
It’s the season when Boise-area locals head north to escape the merciless desert heat, play on lakes or go out to enjoy Idaho’s wilderness.
It’s also the season when there always seem to be travel challenges on Idaho Highway 55, the road that connects the Treasure Valley to the Lake Cascade area and McCall.
The Idaho Transportation Department said that Wednesday, July 9, will mark the first day of road work being done from Horseshoe Bend to north of Banks, a project that is expected to continue through early August.
The department will work to apply a sealcoat on the highway, and that will mean delays for travelers.
“Sealcoating is when a layer of material and gravel is placed on top of asphalt to prevent cracks or potholes from forming,” the department said on its website. “This helps extend the life of the roadway.”
Crews will begin 12 miles north of Banks at milepost 91 near the Boise National Forest boundary and work their way 28 miles south to end at Horseshoe Bend, according to a news release Monday. Officials warned that traffic will be reduced to one lane during construction hours, and delays could be up to 30 minutes.
The release also noted that “the speed limit will be reduced and 12-foot width restrictions may be in place.”
Many will be relieved to hear that weekends will be largely unaffected, though. The department said work will take place Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 6 a.m. to noon.
“There are several other work zones active on this highway,” the department said. “Workers will be close to traffic. Slow down and do not block driveways and entrances along SH-55.”
Idaho Highway 55 construction projects this summer include the replacement of Little Goose Creek Bridge near New Meadows, the installation of a dynamic message sign in Round Valley and maintenance work on Rainbow Bridge in Smiths Ferry.
Real-time traffic impacts can be found using the Idaho 511 system on the Idaho Transportation Department website.
