I-15 Bridge Repair Near Blackfoot to Begin Monday After Semi Strike
Construction crews are set to begin rebuilding the damaged Riverton Road Bridge over Interstate 15 near Blackfoot on Monday, following a semi-truck collision last fall that struck one of the structure’s support pillars and left the overpass in need of full replacement.
The Idaho Transportation Department announced the project will involve demolishing the existing bridge and constructing a two-span steel girder replacement. The new structure is designed to accommodate potential future widening of I-15 in the area.
Overnight Closures Planned for Demolition Phase
The demolition of the old bridge is scheduled across three consecutive nights — May 18 through May 20 — during which I-15 will be fully closed at the Riverton Road interchange. Motorists traveling on the interstate during those nights will be detoured between Exit 89 and Exit 93.
Outside of those overnight closure windows, construction will continue with a reduced speed limit of 65 mph through the work zone. The Riverton Road crossing over I-15 itself will remain inaccessible to local traffic for the duration of the project, which is expected to wrap up in November.
Drivers Urged to Monitor Idaho 511 for Updates
The Idaho Transportation Department is encouraging motorists to stay current on road conditions and traffic impacts throughout the construction season by using the Idaho 511 system, available online, by phone, or through a mobile app. With the project spanning several months and running through the busy summer travel season along one of East Idaho’s primary north-south corridors, transportation officials expect the real-time traffic information tool to be a key resource for drivers navigating the area.
I-15 near Blackfoot sees significant freight and commuter traffic, making the timeline and scope of the project a concern for regional drivers. The stretch of highway connects communities across Bingham and Bonneville counties and serves as a major commercial route through the region.
The semi crash that triggered the repair work occurred in October, damaging the overpass to the point where engineers determined a full replacement was necessary rather than a structural repair. The bridge has been closed to Riverton Road traffic since that time. Drivers in the area have faced extended detours while planning for the replacement moved forward.
For motorists traveling I-15 regularly — including those commuting between Idaho Falls and Blackfoot or hauling freight through the corridor — the 65 mph work zone speed restriction will remain in place until the project is finished. Drivers are advised to allow additional travel time, particularly during peak hours near the construction area. Those planning travel on the nights of May 18 through May 20 should expect the full I-15 closure and plan alternate routes accordingly.
What Comes Next
Demolition of the existing Riverton Road Bridge is set for the nights of May 18–20, with construction of the new two-span steel girder structure continuing through the summer and fall. Project completion is targeted for November 2026. Motorists should check Idaho 511 — online, by phone, or via app — for real-time updates on lane restrictions and closures throughout the construction period. Those traveling I-15 at higher speeds should also be aware of enforcement activity in the region; a recent incident highlighted the dangers of excessive speed on the interstate, as a motorcyclist was clocked at 158 mph on I-15 while evading officers in a separate case to the south.