Planning to head north? Idaho Transportation Department warns of new highway 55 closure

Boise drivers wanting to head north will have to contend with a new closure on Idaho 55 state highway as construction gets underway.

Sunday marked the first day of a construction project that stretches through Horseshoe Bend along the highway. The Idaho Transportation Department said it will continue closing that highway section each night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews begin resurfacing the roadway.

The hours are intended to minimize congestion during the day, the department said in a news release.

ITD said the resurfacing has no set completion date but hopes to finish in about two weeks, depending on the weather.

Construction was not expected to begin for three years, but the early completion of a nearby project allowed Idaho officials to begin work while their crews were in the area, according to the news release.

Officials warned drivers that traffic may be reduced to a single land as flagging crews and pilot cars assist with traffic management. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph, and some limited daytime work will include pavement marking and manhole adjustments, according to the department.

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