Detours planned for System Interchange in Pocatello

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Beginning Thursday, drivers should expect significant traffic changes at the System Interchange in Pocatello.

To facilitate demolition of the old southbound bridges, southbound traffic on Interstate 15 will be directed over the recently completed new northbound roadway and bridges. This will necessitate two short-term and one long-term detours.

The two short-term detours are scheduled to last two to three days.

• The Pocatello Creek Exit will be closed to southbound traffic. Instead, drivers will be detoured to the Center Street Exit to turn around and return on I-15 northbound to the Pocatello Creek Exit.

A long-term detour will exist for traffic taking the Northgate entrance ramp on to southbound I-15. There will not be enough distance to safely merge on to the shifted alignment of I-15 due to the newly built grade to take traffic over Chubbuck Road.

• Vehicles taking this ramp will only be able to travel to westbound I-86 and not southbound on I-15.
• To head south on I-15, drivers will take the Chubbuck Exit and then return back to I-15 from eastbound I-86.

This detour is expected to be in place until late summer of 2024. Local traffic is advised to find an alternative route.

During these detours it is important that drivers follow posted speed limits. As work will continue through the winter drivers need to be particularly cautious around snowplows.

Ongoing construction at the System Interchange will improve safety and mobility while replacing bridges built in the 1960s. Work is expected to be complete in 2025. You can learn more about the project HERE.