Interstate 15 drivers are navigating a new traffic pattern in Blackfoot forced by a crash that crippled an overpass bridge while another nearby shift on the freeway is set to begin Wednesday night as part of a years-long highway expansion.

On Oct. 30 a milk tanker truck traveling southbound on Interstate 15 crashed into the Riverton Road overpass bridge in Blackfoot, forcing ITD to reconfigure traffic between exits 89 and 93. Southbound I-15 in Blackfoot has been squeezed into one lane because of the damaged bridge while northbound traffic has been recently restored to two lanes.

The fix is temporary but long-lasting. ITD engineers estimate southbound I-15 will remain one lane under the bridge until spring 2026. The bridge itself will stay closed until repairs can be made.

South of Blackfoot, ITD will shift northbound I-15 traffic Wednesday night between the Northgate and Fort Hall interchanges as part of the I-15 widening project. Northbound drivers will use newly constructed lanes while crews begin work on the east side of the freeway.

The northbound I-15 on-ramp at the Northgate Interchange will close for several hours Wednesday night during the shift.

After the shift, drivers can expect two lanes in each direction of I-15 during daytime hours in the construction zone. A concrete barrier will separate opposing traffic. Speed limits will be reduced.

The I-15 widening project, funded by Gov. Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative, won’t finish until 2027. Crews will complete new northbound lanes by late 2026, then shift to building southbound lanes on the west side. The finished highway will have three lanes in each direction.

For project updates, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i15northgatetoblackfoot or call 208-252-5553.

For current traffic conditions, check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 mobile app.