ITD outlines summer work on Highway 55, Rainbow Bridge replacement and intersection upgrades

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) told Valley County commissioners on May 12 it plans sealcoating, bridge replacements and phased improvements on Highway 55 this summer, and has a multi‑year corridor study in the pipeline to guide longer-term upgrades.

Jason Brinkman, district engineer for Southwest Idaho and division administrator at ITD, said the department plans a sealcoat project from the south city limits of Horseshoe Bend north to about mile marker 91—just north of Banks and near the Forest Service boundary—with a projected start in July. "That, of course, will have some single lane closures and will consist of daytime work Monday through Thursday and half a day Friday at noon," Brinkman said. He added crews expect most northbound and southbound traffic to be open outside of brief closures.

Brinkman described two culvert/bridge replacements tied to the sealcoat corridor: a larger bridge replacing a deep buried box culvert near Fleming Creek and a near‑twin project at Goose Creek. He said the Fleming Creek work has experienced delays and now looks likely to finish in the fall.

ITD also reported short, intermittent closures this summer for maintenance on the Rainbow Bridge, including brief stoppages of up to about…