ITD to implement new traffic pattern at Iona Road and Yellowstone

Published at 7:00 pm, August 27, 2026

Daniel V. Ramirez, EastIdahoNews.com

Commuters will see a changes at the intersection of Iona Road and U.S. 26 as Idaho Department of Transportation plans for construction next year. | Courtesy Idaho Department of Transportation

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready ...

IDAHO FALLS — Commuters passing through the intersection of U.S. Highway 26 (Yellowstone Highway) and Iona Road will see a change in the flow of traffic as the Idaho Transportation Department plans for construction.

“North and southbound travelers will still be able to turn right onto Iona Road from Yellowstone Highway,” ITD said in a news release. “East and westbound traffic on Iona Road will be able to turn right onto Yellowstone as well. What will not be possible are left turns or crossing (the entire roads).”

Traffic at the intersection of Iona Road and US-26. | Courtesy Idaho Transportation Department

Drivers are asked to reroute to the intersections at Woodruff Avenue or Hitt Road.

As Monday draws near, ITD says it will put traffic control devices in place, such as concrete barricades, heavy traffic control barrels, permanent delineators and signage to remind drivers.

The project will widen Hitt Road to five lanes and install a traffic signal at the intersection of Hitt and Iona roads.

Construction is slated to begin next summer.

ITD Spokeswoman Sky Buffat told EastIdahoNews.com that the plan to make these changes was part of the Hitt Road expansion, but the timeline was recently bumped up after severe crashes in the area.

According to ITD’s Crash Summary Report, that intersection saw 90 crashes from 2021 to 2025, with two resulting in fatalities.

Over the four years, crashes spiked, with 2025 seeing 21 crashes.

“It does cause you to stop and think, ‘How could we improve what it’s like to travel on this road and in this stretch?'” Buffat said.

She said the hope is that this change will improve safety in that area in both directions at that intersection.

“We are asking people to alter their route and go slightly out of their way. It’s not something we would be doing if we didn’t feel like it was truly worth it and could make the road safer,” Buffat said.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION