Idaho Transportation Department reminding drivers to be safe in work zones
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POCATELLO — The Idaho Transportation Department is promoting safe driving as part of Work Zone Safety Awareness week.
The annual event happening April 21 through 25 serves as a reminder for Idahoans to drive safely in work zones. Work zones are active job sites where ITD crews, contractors, utility workers, law enforcement, and tow truck operators are performing critical maintenance and construction — often in unpredictable conditions. These areas are marked by signs, barriers, cones, and sometimes narrowed lanes or uneven surfaces. Rear-end crashes are the most common type of work zone collision, typically caused by distracted or impatient driving.
ITD Chief Deputy and COO Dan McElhinney shares the impact of safer driving.
“Driving cautiously in work zones helps families,” McElhinney said. “Travelers, workers, and their loved ones all benefit when drivers (slow down) and (stay) alert for traffic cones and guiding signage.”
In a Monday morning news release, ITD reports drivers and passengers — not just road workers — are most at risk in work zone crashes. ITD data shows there were more than 3,400 work zone crashes from 2019-2023. Thirty of those were fatal and all of them involved people inside vehicles.
There are several construction zones ongoing or planned throughout southeast Idaho. ITD is urging drivers to be aware of construction along the Interstate 15/Interstate 86 System Interchange. There is also a widening project from Northgate to Fort Hall and construction on Inkom bridges.
The latest road construction closures are listed here. More information about these projects is available here.