Drivers traveling through Idaho Falls should expect a temporary disruption on U.S. Highway 26 Business Loop next week as the Yellowstone Highway underpass closes for scheduled maintenance work.
The Idaho Transportation Department has announced that southbound lanes at the Yellowstone Highway underpass will close on June 16 and 17, with restrictions in effect each day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The work window covers both weekdays, giving crews two consecutive days to complete the job.
What the Work Involves
The closure is necessary so crews can repair and level drains within the roadway at the underpass location. Drain maintenance of this kind is routine but requires a full lane closure to allow workers safe access to the work zone and to properly complete the leveling process.
The Idaho Transportation Department is urging motorists to plan their routes ahead of time and remain alert for workers and equipment in the area during the closure window.
Detour Route for Southbound Drivers
Southbound travelers who would normally pass through the Yellowstone underpass will be redirected during the closure hours. The detour routes affected traffic onto Boulevard, directs drivers through the Broadway Street roundabout, and reconnects them with Yellowstone Highway on the south side of the underpass.
The detour adds some distance and travel time, but transportation officials have designed the route to keep traffic moving through nearby surface streets. Drivers are encouraged to budget a few extra minutes during the closure hours, particularly during the midday period when commercial and delivery traffic is common in the area.
The closure window — 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — is intentionally scheduled outside of the peak morning and evening commute hours to limit the impact on daily commuters. However, anyone with travel plans or deliveries through that corridor on either day should account for the detour in their scheduling.
What Comes Next
Barring any unforeseen complications, the Yellowstone Highway underpass is expected to reopen to normal southbound traffic at the end of each daily closure window. If work is completed on schedule over the two-day period, the underpass should be fully operational again by the evening of June 17.
The Idaho Transportation Department has not indicated whether additional closures in the area are planned following this repair work. Motorists are advised to monitor ITD announcements and watch for posted signage near the work zone as the closure dates approach.
Infrastructure upkeep on high-traffic corridors like the Yellowstone Highway is a regular part of Idaho Falls’ transportation maintenance calendar. East Idaho has seen continued investment in its roadway systems as population growth in Bonneville County puts increased demand on aging infrastructure. For more on East Idaho transportation and regional developments, visit Idaho News.
Residents and commuters can also stay informed about other community developments across the region — including ongoing projects and local events — through Bonneville County News. Recent local coverage has included historical milestones such as the Teton Dam Collapse anniversary and stories from East Idaho history, offering context on how the region has evolved over the decades.
For the June 16 and 17 closure, the key takeaway for Idaho Falls drivers is straightforward: if you are traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 26 Business Loop through the Yellowstone underpass between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on either day, expect to follow the detour through Boulevard and the Broadway Street roundabout, and allow a few extra minutes to reach your destination.