Overnight closure planned at S. Jerome interchange, end following day

JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Drivers heading to or from Jerome Tuesday evening will see changes at the interchange as crews complete overnight work on a bridge.

Courtney Wagner, a public information officer with the Idaho Transportation Department, said eastbound traffic will be directed to exit 165, the Main Street, State Highway 25 interchange. Westbound traffic will have a frontage road detour.

“Eastbound traffic will be directed to Exit 165, the Mains Street, State Highway 25 interchange. And the Westbound traffic will just have a frontage road detour. But all signage will be up and people will be able to see before they come up to the signage,” Wagner said.

Wagner said the overnight project is critical so crews can complete work on the bridge.

“We’re trying to do some paving, get some last minute work done before that bridge is complete,” Wagner said.

Crews will also install guardrails on the bridge. Wagner said overnight work projects are common because crews want to minimize their impact on traffic.

“Especially on bridge work because we’re destroying an original bridge and reconstructing it or we are adding girders or placing things or something like that,” Wagner said.

Aside from signs telling drivers where to go, there will also be lights to assist crews and drivers. Wagner said it’s critical that drivers pay attention as they drive toward the work zone.

“Don’t be eating a burger while you’re driving. Don’t don’t drive impaired and really pay attention, especially at night. We always want you to pay attention to work zone. You’re always more likely to get in a wreck in a construction zone, so let’s just make sure everybody goes home safe at the end of the day,” Wagner said.

Wagner said once this work is done, it should be the last time an overnight closure happens in the area. She said ITD will let drivers know if there are any changes.

“We’re going to be putting in guardrail, pedestrian sidewalks, those types of things. And we’re going to make sure that we have all of the paving done and all of the striping complete, before you’ll see workers out of there,” Wagner said.

Work on the Jerome interchange is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Wednesday. The overall goal is to finish the project by November.

Overnight closure planned at S. Jerome interchange, end following day

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