Oversize logistics challenges during I-15 Idaho construction
Freedom Heavy Haul can offer expedited Pickup and Delivery for any size shipment anywhere in the USA. Contact us today for No Hassle, No Pressure Pricing.
Carriers and escorts should plan ahead for moves through the Pocatello/Chubbuck area. This system interchange rebuild sits at the heart of local routing and staging decisions.
The idaho transportation department is replacing 1960s bridges and reconfiguring ramps to improve safety and mobility. The system interchange project will change right-side exits and clearances, so drivers must be ready to adapt.
Crews work around the clock in multiple active zones with shifted lanes, temporary barriers, a posted 55 mph work zone, night work, rolling slowdowns and detours. Verify lane widths, detours and any overnight restrictions before you depart.
Real-time conditions can change with weather and sequencing; check 511.idaho.gov and the 511 app before every move. The state-funded project runs into mid-2025 and uses conveyor systems and GNSS-guided equipment to boost safety, but drivers must still respect cones, barrels and flagging.
Present conditions on I-15/I-86: what’s changing right now for trucks and carriers
Crews are back at night, pacing traffic while heavy girders are placed for a new northbound bridge. Nighttime work is active and rolling slowdowns will periodically pause or pace traffic to allow crane picks. That can ripple into delivery windows for time-sensitive freight.
The east-to-northbound ramp is closed and traffic is detoured south via Pocatello Creek. Trucks should expect different approach angles and extra staging needs when using the detour.
Weather recently delayed girder deliveries, which pushed back some planned lane closures until all girders arrived safely. These weather-driven shifts mean short-term detours can appear with little notice.
- Plan extra time: dispatchers should add buffer time and alternates for night moves.
- Check updates: confirm routing on 511.idaho.gov and the 511 app right before departure and en route.
- Obey limits: work zone speed is reduced to 55 mph; signage compliance is required to avoid citations.
| Condition | Impact on trucks | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime girder setting | Rolling slowdowns; short holds | Schedule later windows; notify escorts |
| East→north ramp closed | Longer approach, altered staging | Use Pocatello Creek detour; confirm clearances |
| Weather delays | Postponed lane closures and detours | Keep flexible plans; monitor 511 updates |
Oversize logistics challenges during I-15 Idaho construction
Staged demolition at Chubbuck Road is converting a 1962 overpass into an underpass with wider sidewalks and bike lanes. This change will simplify routing for loads that once detoured to avoid low clearances.
Chubbuck Road bridge demolition and underpass rebuild: height clearances and access
Demolition proceeds in phases and sometimes requires nighttime detours. Escorts must confirm the active phase and whether northbound or southbound closures affect planned moves.
New bridges, girders, and lane shifts: constraints for heavy equipment and escorted loads
Crew girder placements for the new bridges narrow shoulders and shift lane lines. Temporary concrete barriers, odd taper lengths, and differing striping can reduce available width without much notice.
“Stay centered and avoid last-minute lane changes when approaching tight zones,”
Managing trucks entering and exiting near live traffic to reduce conflict points
The contractor uses a conveyor to limit trucks entering and exiting inside the work area, reducing conflict points with live traffic while moving material overhead.
- Coordinate arrival times to avoid crane picks and rolling slowdowns.
- Pre-trip pinch points around flyovers and the underpass to verify vertical and horizontal clearances.
- Plan backup staging in case active bridge or underpass work pauses permitted travel.
For additional planning resources and wide-load guidance, see wide-load planning tips.
Inside the System Interchange project: scope, design changes, and why it matters
The $112 million rebuild replaces a 1960s interchange with a clearer, safer layout that reduces short merges and surprise lane changes. This system interchange project swaps the old Flying Y for a modern right-exit configuration that better matches driver expectations.
From the 1960s “Flying Y” to a safer, right-exit system
The original layout forced short, left-side merges and tight ramp curves. As regional traffic grew, that pattern raised crash risk and made routing less predictable for long-haul carriers.
The redesign uses right-side exits and longer merge lengths to cut weaving and simplify decision-making on the moves that pass through the corridor.
Eight new bridges, major earthwork, and tall MSE walls
The scope is large: eight new bridges, more than one million cubic yards of earthwork, and 12 MSE walls totaling roughly 70,000 square feet, some over three stories high.
Chubbuck Road will be lowered and rebuilt as an underpass with two new I-15 bridges overhead. The plan also adds a dedicated pedestrian and bike path to separate modes of travel.
“This phased approach keeps traffic moving while the pieces are assembled, but it requires precise compliance with temporary geometry.”
Beyond safety, the interchange improves freight flow by offering consistent exits, better clearances, and fewer detours. As a critical piece of regional infrastructure, the project supports growth and economic opportunity for many years.
Work zone safety and compliance from the Idaho Transportation Department
Plan extra time and stay alert: the system interchange work area has active equipment, shifting lanes, and temporary signs. The Idaho Transportation Department sets a 55 mph limit through the work zone and asks drivers to slow down, obey signage, and be patient, especially at night.
Work zone speed limits, signage, and night operations around crews and equipment
Reduced speeds save lives. Night shifts have limited visibility and moving equipment. Scan for lights, workers, and equipment entering from shoulders or medians. Avoid passing maintenance vehicles on the right.
Winter conditions, potholes, and maintenance: planning time buffers for deliveries
Storms and cold snaps can change road conditions quickly. Potholes in Idaho Falls and along the corridor are being cold patched until permanent repair is possible.
Check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app before departure. Carry winter gear, keep vehicles maintained, and add buffer time for delays. Be aware that plow strikes and staffing shortages may cause earlier or sudden closures.
“Keep following distance, expect uneven surfaces, and heed temporary signage.”
- Monitor corridor conditions and factor extra time into schedules.
- Watch for water trucks when dust control is active and give them space.
- Dispatchers should track both the work zone and broader road conditions to avoid surprises.
Logistics innovations reducing congestion and risk in the work area
Project teams have cut roadway interactions by moving most spoil offsite without trucks on the travel lanes. A conveyor belt system carries excavated material overhead and across the site. That single system removes the need for many haul trips.
Conveyor belt system: limiting haul trucks and improving work zone safety
The conveyor routes material away from live lanes, sharply reducing trucks entering exiting the highway. The change avoids more than 40,000 interactions with passing vehicles, lowering exposure for crews and the traveling public.
GNSS-guided equipment and model-based workflows to keep people off the ground
GNSS-equipped graders, dozers, and excavators read the digital model in-cab. Operators hit grade without surveyors standing near heavy equipment and traffic. In one field example, a dozer checked an excavator’s grade from the cab in a tight, low-clearance zone, replacing an on-foot checker and reducing blind-spot risk.
Coordinated staging for cranes, girders, and tight-space wall panel placements
Crane lifts and girder picks use model-based workflows and daily sequencing to lock safe windows for lifts. Carriers should plan arrivals outside those windows and follow flaggers’ instructions when work is active.
“Fewer trucks entering and exiting lanes means smoother traffic flow, but remain vigilant around shifting tapers and temporary crossovers.”
| Innovation | Primary benefit | Action for carriers |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyor belt system | ~40,000 fewer vehicle interactions | Expect fewer haul trucks; maintain normal speeds |
| GNSS-equipped equipment | Fewer ground checks; safer blind-spot management | Respect exclusion zones; avoid on-foot checks near machines |
| Model-based lift sequencing | Safer crane and girder operations | Schedule outside lift windows; heed flaggers |
Who’s building it: Sundt-Cannon Builders JV, coordination, and daily operations
A highly coordinated Sundt‑Cannon Builders JV runs multiple crews and keeps tight daily rhythms to limit traffic impacts. The joint venture leads the system interchange project and manages more than ten active zones that crisscross live highways.
Teams hold four coordination meetings each day to lock in lift windows, lane shifts, and safety priorities. Those briefings keep more than 100 personnel aligned, including roughly 15 supervisors and about 96 subcontractors and suppliers.
Over 10 active zones, around‑the‑clock crews, and four daily coordination meetings
Around‑the‑clock crews enable simultaneous work from earthwork to striping. Shared schedules reduce conflicts and help protect motorists and workers.
Partnering culture, shared tools, and TECM‑funded acceleration
Shared GNSS models and a common toolset let crews swap tasks without a drop in consistency. That approach earned the team a 2023 ITD/AGC Partnering award for collaboration and problem solving.
The project is partially TECM funded, which accelerates delivery and helps address regional expansion congestion mitigation sooner. Carriers can take advantage of predictable coordination windows by scheduling deliveries outside major lift periods or lane switchovers.
| Item | Why it matters | Action for carriers |
|---|---|---|
| Four daily meetings | Aligns sequencing and safety | Confirm planned arrival windows one day ahead |
| Shared GNSS models | Consistent execution across crews | Expect standard clearances; verify before entry |
| TECM funding | Speeds key milestones | Coordinate with JV to use accelerated windows |
| 100+ on‑site staff | Enables simultaneous tasks | Schedule outside heavy lift and lane switch times |
“Tight planning keeps traffic flowing while protecting crews close to moving vehicles.”
Timeline, milestones, and what carriers should expect next
Expect active pile driving and shaft drilling now, with some night shifts near Chubbuck Road. Pile work and girder lifts create rolling slowdowns and short holds that affect routing and staging windows.
Key near-term activities: pile driving, bridge work, restriping, and lane shifts
Overnight restriping closures will affect ramps such as the I-86 to I-15 southbound link, with detours routed via the Northgate Interchange. Confirm exact timing on 511 before dispatch to avoid surprises.
Cranes drilling shafts and setting girders require temporary barrier moves and narrowed lanes. These changes can shrink available routing windows for wide loads and long escorts.
Looking to mid-2025: improved mobility, right-side exits, and oversize-friendly clearances
The project is past 70% and tracking to mid-2025. When complete, two new bridges will span Chubbuck Road and the underpass layout will deliver more predictable clearances and right-side exits that reduce last-second lane changes.
“Plan arrivals outside active pile-driving and lift windows to keep schedules steady.”
Tip: stage outside active pile-driving periods when possible, update escorts with daily plans, and consult detailed planning resources like bridge components planning for specialized moves in the area.
How to stay ahead: resources, alerts, and best practices for the work area
Use ITD’s live feeds and the 511 app before every trip to confirm detours, girder-set windows, and restriping closures that affect schedules.
Coordinate with the JV’s daily briefings and share lane-shift notes with drivers and escorts so no one arrives during a lift or barrier move.
Keep vehicles and equipment ready for quick condition changes, especially in spring and near Idaho Falls where pothole repairs can alter the road surface.
Double-check vertical and lateral clearances at Chubbuck Road and plan alternate paths when the system interchange geometry is constrained.
Rely on the conveyor belt system to cut truck interactions, follow flaggers, and check 511.idaho.gov for updates as the system interchange project moves toward mid-2025 and new bridges come online.
