Construction on 17th and Hitt Rd intersection begins, expected to take 3 months

For the next 3 months drivers may need to give themselves some extra time at the intersection of 17th St. and Hitt Rd. as construction on the intersection began Monday.

Plans for the intersection include adding a left turn lane in every direction, updating water and sewage systems and new lighting. City officials for both Ammon and Idaho Falls say all businesses will stay open and the construction shouldn’t affect access to those stores and restaurants.

Rebecca Casper, the Mayor of Idaho Falls believes the benefits of the construction go beyond the ease of commuters in the area. With the possibility of Eastern Idaho Technical College becoming a community college, Mayor Casper sees it as a sign of opportunity “if the May 16th community college vote is successful this new intersection may see some more activity and it will happen as the parking lot across the street here fills with students and their vehicles,” said Casper at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new intersection on Monday morning.

Drivers should expect at least one lane to be closed during the construction project, at no time will roads be closed nor will a single direction will be blocked off for access. The project has been in the works for several years. “This is very gratifying because as an engineer I know what the end result is going to be like,” said Kent Fugal, engineer for the City of Idaho Falls.