The Idaho Department of Transportation has implemented significant traffic restrictions at the intersection of Iona Road and U.S. Highway 26 (Yellowstone Highway) in response to a concerning pattern of collisions in the area.
Under the new traffic pattern, drivers may turn right from all directions at the intersection, but left turns and crossing the entire roadway are now prohibited. Motorists are directed to use alternate routes through the Woodruff Avenue or Hitt Road intersections to complete their journeys across the highway.
Safety Concerns Prompt Accelerated Changes
The decision to accelerate the traffic pattern change comes amid a troubling crash history at this location. Between 2021 and 2025, the intersection recorded 90 crashes, including two fatalities. Last year alone, 21 crashes occurred at the site, underscoring the severity of the safety issue facing drivers and residents in the area.
Idaho Department of Transportation spokeswoman Sky Buffat explained the reasoning behind the restriction: “We are asking people to alter their route and go slightly out of their way. It’s not something we would be doing if we didn’t feel like it was truly worth it and could make the road safer.”, as first reported by the EastIdahoNews.com
Infrastructure Improvements Underway
The traffic restrictions are part of a broader effort to improve safety and capacity in the area. The department has installed concrete barricades, traffic control barrels, permanent delineators, and signage to guide drivers through the new traffic pattern and communicate the changes clearly.
A larger expansion project is planned for next summer, which will widen Hitt Road to five lanes and install a new traffic signal at the Hitt and Iona intersection. These improvements are designed to better distribute traffic flow and provide safer crossing and turning opportunities for vehicles navigating the corridor.
What Comes Next
Drivers in the Iona and surrounding areas should expect the current traffic restrictions to remain in place as the department prepares for the broader summer construction project. The Idaho Department of Transportation encourages residents and commuters to familiarize themselves with the alternate routes using Woodruff Avenue or Hitt Road, as these will become primary paths for crossing U.S. Highway 26 at this location.
The agency continues to monitor safety conditions and will evaluate the effectiveness of these measures in reducing crashes at the intersection. For more information about the project or traffic updates, residents can contact the Idaho Department of Transportation or monitor official traffic advisories for the region.