Drivers navigating the intersection of Iona Road and US Highway 26 in Bonneville County will face new movement restrictions beginning today, August 31, following a series of serious crashes at the location. The change represents a coordinated safety effort between Bonneville County and the Idaho Transportation Department to reduce collision risk at one of the area’s most problematic intersections.
Starting immediately, only right-turn movements are permitted at the Iona Road and Yellowstone Highway junction. Northbound and southbound travelers on US-26 may turn right onto Iona Road, while eastbound and westbound traffic on Iona Road may turn right onto Yellowstone Highway. All left-turn and crossing movements are now prohibited at this location.
Advance warning signs appeared throughout the week alerting motorists to the new restrictions. Physical traffic control measures—including concrete barricades, heavy traffic control barrels, and permanent lane delineators—now span approximately 800 feet through the center of Yellowstone Highway at the intersection.
Alternative Routes Available
Drivers requiring left turns or needing to cross the highway should use signalized intersections at nearby Woodruff Avenue or Hitt Road. These alternative routes provide safer crossing opportunities with traffic signal protection.
County and state transportation officials made the decision to implement turn restrictions after evaluating crash data and traffic patterns at the intersection. The severe nature and frequency of recent collisions prompted the need for immediate interim measures while longer-term improvements are planned.
Future Improvements Planned
The turn restrictions represent the first phase of a broader safety overhaul at this critical corridor. Summer construction will bring more substantial changes designed to eliminate conflicts that have made the intersection dangerous.
Hitt Road will be widened to five lanes through the area, expanding capacity and improving traffic flow. At the Hitt Road and Iona Road intersection, the existing roundabout will be replaced with a conventional traffic signal, allowing more predictable traffic movements and better coordination with adjacent signals.
A permanent median barrier will be installed on Yellowstone Highway at the Iona Road intersection. This barrier will physically prevent left turns and crossing movements, making the current temporary restrictions permanent and eliminating driver uncertainty about permitted movements.
What Comes Next
Motorists should expect ongoing construction activity throughout the coming months as the broader intersection improvements proceed. The combination of turn restrictions, widened lanes, new signalization, and median barriers is designed to create a safer, more predictable traffic environment that reduces the types of crashes that have plagued this intersection.
Drivers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new turn restrictions and to plan routes accordingly, using Woodruff Avenue or Hitt Road for any needed left turns or crossing movements. Adherence to the new restrictions and patience during construction will help support the ongoing safety improvements in this critical part of the Bonneville County transportation network.
TAGS: Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, infrastructure, transportation safety, US-26, Iona Road