Idaho Transportation Department

06/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2025 14:49

I-15 corridor identified for further funding




6/12/2025

Justin Smith
ITD Communication
208-234-3614
justin.smith@itd.idaho.gov

I-15 corridor identified for further funding

BLACKFOOT-Today at its regular monthly meeting the Idaho Transportation Board accepted staff recommendations on priority corridorsacross Idaho using TECM funds to address congestion, including three projects on Interstate 15 nearBlackfoot. Since Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds were first used by the department for bonding and advancing major projects in 2022, ITD has delivered timelyconstruction of expansion projects across the state. Today's actions are a continuation of that.

Funding came from House Bill 25, which was passed by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year. The legislation provides an additional$20 million a year to the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation fund for the next three years and allows the department to invest an extra$1 billion in the Idaho transportation system.

With this new funding, thefollowing projects have been recommended for advancing toconstruction:

  • I-15 and US-26 Interchange(Exit 93):The existing interchange will be replacedto accommodate additionallanes on the interstate and to include longer on- and off-ramps for safer merging. Construction is anticipatedtostart in 2026, five years earlier than planned.
  • I-15 widening from milepost 89 to 93: This project will add capacity by widening the interstateto three lanes in each direction between the US-26 Interchange and the South Blackfoot Interchange. constructionwas previously not funded but isnow anticipatedtostart in 2027.
  • I-15 and US-91 South Blackfoot Interchange(Exit 89):The existing interchange will be upgraded to accommodate additionallanes on the interstate and include longer on- and off-ramps for safer merging. Construction is anticipatedtostart in 2028, three years earlier than planned.

With these projects nowincluded in the draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP), the public will have the opportunityto give feedback on this project and the department's full list of planned projects from 2026-2032 during the annual comment period in July. Then the draft ITIP will be presented to the board for approvalin September.

The board's action today reflects continued investmenttargeting congestionand capacityin major corridors that were previously funded by TECM bondsas authorized by the Idaho Legislature.TECM funds have allowed for the construction of the I-86 and I-15 System Interchange in Pocatello, as well as the widening of I-15from Northgate to Fort Hall.

These projects were identifiedbecause theyare existing high-priority corridor needs that will improve traffic flow and increase safety.

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