The Idaho Transportation Department will soon begin construction work on a stretch of State Highway 55 north of Smiths Ferry, and the project won’t be completed until the winter of 2022 – at the earliest. With one lane traffic and periods of complete highway closure, hunters and other recreationalists traveling up and down Highway 55 will want to pay attention to construction schedules and plan their trips accordingly.
The 1.5-mile section of highway between Smiths Ferry and Rainbow Bridge that tracks along the N. Fork of the Payette River is narrow and winding with no shoulders or guard rails. The two- to two-and-one-half-year project will correct these issues: straightening the roadway, adding shoulders and guard rails as well as adding additional pull outs and rock catch ditches.
The construction schedule is straight forward:
Fall (September through November) and Spring (March through May)
- Daytime and nighttime work seven days a week
- Full road closures Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 2:00pm
- One-way alternating traffic during all other time frames
Winter (November through February)
- No construction during this time frame – all lanes open
Summer (June through August)
- Daytime and nighttime work Monday through Friday
- One-way alternating traffic at all times
Visit the ITD project site (Highway 55 Construction) to learn more about the project and sign up for construction updates.