IDAHO FALLS — Drivers traveling U.S. Highway 20 between Idaho Falls and Rigby can expect overnight construction activity beginning this week as the Idaho Transportation Department launches a full-lane resurfacing project along that stretch of roadway.
To limit disruptions during peak commute hours, crews are operating exclusively during nighttime hours — from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. — removing worn asphalt in sections and relaying new pavement the same night, ensuring both lanes remain available to motorists throughout the day.
The project covers the corridor from just north of Exit 309 at Science Center Drive in Idaho Falls north to Exit 320 in Rigby. During active overnight work windows, Sunday through Thursday, traffic in the affected zones will be narrowed to a single lane.
What Drivers Should Expect Along the Corridor
The Idaho Transportation Department is urging motorists to stay alert for staging equipment parked along the roadway’s shoulders during daylight hours, even when no active work is taking place. The presence of construction machinery off the travel lanes is a normal part of the process as crews reposition between work windows.
The overnight schedule is designed with Bonneville County commuters in mind. The Idaho Falls-to-Rigby stretch of Highway 20 carries significant daily traffic, serving residents who travel between Jefferson County communities and Idaho Falls for work, school, and commerce. Keeping both lanes open during daytime hours reduces the impact on that daily flow.
Highway 20 is one of the region’s most heavily traveled arterials, connecting eastern Idaho communities to the broader corridor that runs toward one of the state’s most significant law enforcement intercept points in recent memory — and past terrain that has seen some of eastern Idaho’s most extreme weather conditions in recent seasons. A durable, properly maintained surface is critical for both everyday commuters and emergency response along the route.
Timeline and Completion Target
The Idaho Transportation Department expects the resurfacing work to wrap up by late July, contingent on weather. Eastern Idaho summers can bring afternoon thunderstorms and high winds that interrupt paving operations, so the agency built flexibility into the project schedule.
Resurfacing projects of this type extend the structural life of a roadway by sealing the base layers against moisture intrusion and restoring the surface friction that degrades over years of heavy use and freeze-thaw cycles. The Snake River Plain’s harsh winter conditions accelerate pavement wear, making periodic resurfacing a routine but essential part of highway maintenance.
Drivers are advised to allow additional travel time when using the Highway 20 corridor during overnight hours, follow posted speed reductions through active work zones, and watch for flaggers and equipment operators. Work zone speed limits carry elevated fines under Idaho law.
What Comes Next
With the project running Sunday through Thursday nights through late July, travelers on the Idaho Falls-to-Rigby stretch should plan for intermittent single-lane traffic during overnight hours over the coming weeks. The Idaho Transportation Department has indicated the schedule is weather-dependent, and significant weather events — such as the high-wind and extreme-heat conditions that have struck eastern Idaho in recent weeks — could push the completion date. Motorists are encouraged to check ITD’s travel information resources for real-time updates on lane restrictions before heading out during construction hours.