One of Idaho’s most traveled rural intersections will get a makeover in the coming years, the Idaho Transportation Department announced Friday.
Until then, ITD will be looking forward to another busy summer operating flaggers at the intersection of Idaho Highway 55 and the Banks to Lowman Highway.
The department is adding an interim traffic signal at the intersection, a decision made to address Idaho’s growing population and reduce pressure on mountain roads, ITD said in a news release. Idaho 55 witnesses the most fatalities per year of any road in the state.
The temporary traffic light won’t be operational until later this year, so ITD will have employees stop at the intersection during peak traffic periods this summer, starting with Father’s Day on Sunday. Here are the other times when flaggers will help keep traffic flowing on Idaho 55-Banks Lowman Highway:
ITD said it will also begin designing a plan to improve the intersection’s ability to handle heavy traffic flows. The process includes widening the bridge over the Payette River and expanding the road to accommodate permanent traffic signals.
