The IDT response truck will patrol Interstate 90, which is heavily traveled and experiences traffic congestion because it is a link to Spokane, Wash. (Idaho Transportation Department)
A new Idaho Transportation Department roadside patrol has been launched along the Interstate 90 freight corridor to more quickly aid motorists in need of assistance.
“We are excited to bring this vital service to north Idaho,” Ryan Crabtree, business operations manager for ITD, noted Feb. 26. “By providing this dedicated vehicle, we are not only helping drivers get back on the road more quickly but also improving safety for everyone by reducing the risks associated with stopped vehicles in high-traffic areas.”
I-90 is heavily traveled and one of the top highways in Idaho to regularly experience traffic congestion since it links the state to Spokane, Wash. The interstate from the Idaho-Washington border to Coeur d’Alene sees an average of 4,100 trucks daily. The east-west interstate also crosses through Idaho into Montana.
“This initiative is designed to enhance safety by providing rapid response to disabled vehicles, minor crashes and other roadside emergencies, allowing motorists to get safely off the highway with minimal delay or risk to other drivers,” ITD noted.
The agency’s incident response vehicle mostly will patrol the I-90 corridor, especially around work zones where limited shoulders and a constricted space can result in safety hazards and road accidents.
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The patrols will be made by a dedicated ITD employee in a new truck that will roam I-90 between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday. The operation’s schedule, which will be shifted during seasonal changes, was created based on traffic volume and incident trends to assist drivers during peak travel hours.
“These high-priority areas include ongoing construction projects at the state Highway 41 Interchange and the upcoming four-lane expansion between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Additionally, the truck will respond to incidents along the [U.S. Route 95] corridor stretching from the Spokane River Bridge to Lancaster Road through Coeur d’Alene,” according to ITD.
The new I-90 incident response capability aims to help drivers change flat tires, bring small amounts of fuel for vehicles that have run out, restart dead batteries and push or pull vehicles stuck in ditches.
ITD’s new truck has tools for minor maintenance issues and emergency signs and lights to warn about potential roadway hazards.
“We look forward to working closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated response to incidents,” Crabtree said. “This collaboration will help ensure that our highways are safer and that we are meeting the needs of the community.”
