Construction starts Monday on Dufort Road turn lane

SAGLE — Drivers on U.S. 95 near Sagle should plan for delays beginning Monday as the Idaho Transportation Department starts construction of a new northbound right-turn lane at Dufort Road.

'We know this is a project the community has been asking about for years," Idaho Transportation Department District Engineer Ryan Hawkins said. "Before installing a traffic signal, we needed to make sure it was the right solution based on engineering standards and changing traffic conditions."

Recent studies have shown that to be the case and Hawkins said agency officials are excited to begin the first phase of making transportation improvements in the area a reality.

The new turn lane is designed to improve safety for drivers turning onto East Dufort Road while helping maintain the flow of traffic on northbound U.S. 95.

Motorists should expect large equipment and trucks entering and exiting the roadway near the intersection. Short delays are possible, and drivers are encouraged to slow down, stay alert and use extra caution while traveling through the work zone. Right turns from northbound US-95 onto Dufort Road will remain open during construction.

The turn lane is the first phase of a larger intersection improvement project that will include the installation of a traffic signal at U.S. 95 and Dufort Road. The additional lane must be constructed before the signal can be installed, allowing the intersection to accommodate future traffic operations.

ITD officials anticipate construction will begin next year, with the new signal expected to be operational by late spring or summer 2027.

Before a signal can be approved, engineers evaluate the intersection using nationally recognized criteria, including traffic volumes, roadway geometry and safety performance metrics, to determine whether it is warranted. A recent study for this particular location found that the intersection meets multiple criteria for a signal.

Although the intersection was not originally included in the current seven-year Idaho Transportation Investment Program, or ITIP, the completed evaluation allowed ITD to secure funding outside of its normal planning cycle. Community feedback helped highlight the importance of the intersection, while the engineering analysis confirmed that a traffic signal is the appropriate next step. 

While no single improvement can eliminate every crash, the traffic signal is expected to improve safety by creating more controlled opportunities for drivers entering, crossing and turning onto and off of U.S. 95.

While it will likely be in place for many years, this future traffic signal is considered an interim solution, ITD officials said. Long-term plans for the highway corridor between Dufort Road and Lakeshore Drive identify a full interchange at Dufort Road is the "ultimate vision" for the area. 

Such an interchange would include on- and off-ramps to separate highway traffic from crossing traffic, eliminating the need for a signalized intersection. 

"While that improvement remains many years away, the traffic signal will provide meaningful safety and operational benefits for the community in the meantime. Details about the entire long-term corridor plan can be found online," Hawkins said.

Construction of the turn lane is expected to continue through mid-August. Additional information about the traffic signal project, including future construction updates, will be shared as the project progresses.

Drivers are reminded to watch for changing traffic patterns, obey posted speed limits, and be prepared for crews and equipment near the roadway.

For more information, visit bit.ly/3U7xO2P.