Motorists traveling along Hitt Road in Idaho Falls should prepare for a lane restriction set to begin Thursday and expected to continue through the end of August. The closure affects the outside northbound lane on Hitt Road — also known as 25th East — in the stretch running north of the Lincoln Road roundabout toward the Grand Peaks Medical area.
While the single-lane configuration will require drivers heading northbound to merge, traffic officials have confirmed that all lanes through the roundabout itself will remain open. The pinch point begins north of where the roundabout feeds onto Hitt Road and continues into the corridor serving the medical facilities farther up the street.
Development Project Driving the Work
The lane restriction is tied to a private development initiative rather than a city infrastructure program. The work is connected to the Riviera Park development taking shape on the northeast corner of Hitt Road and Lincoln Road. Knife River is the contractor on site, tasked with installing underground utilities and completing roadway upgrades along the affected corridor.
Because the project originates from a private development, the City of Idaho Falls is not managing the construction. Residents with questions or concerns about timelines and project scope would need to direct those inquiries to the development team or the contractor rather than city public works officials.
The combination of underground utility work and surface roadway improvements typically means extended construction windows, and this project is no exception. Crews expect to wrap up by late August, though that timeline remains subject to weather conditions common to eastern Idaho summers.
What Drivers Should Expect
For commuters who regularly use Hitt Road to access the Grand Peaks Medical area or points north of Lincoln Road, the months ahead will require added patience and route planning. The merge to a single lane may create bottlenecks during peak morning and evening travel periods, particularly as the area sees traffic generated both by established businesses and ongoing development activity.
The closure is one of several road projects affecting southeast Idaho communities this construction season. Pocatello has also seen significant activity on its road network in recent months. Two major road safety projects launched in Pocatello this April, and Interstate 15 expansion work near Pocatello has shifted southbound traffic while closing two ramps for several weeks, adding to the region’s overall construction load.
Drivers unfamiliar with the area should note that Hitt Road and 25th East refer to the same corridor. The Lincoln Road roundabout serves as a key reference point — the lane reduction does not begin at the roundabout itself but kicks in once northbound traffic clears it.
What Comes Next
Construction on the Hitt Road corridor is projected to continue through the end of August, barring significant weather delays. As the Riviera Park development progresses, additional phases of site work may influence traffic patterns in the area beyond the current lane closure. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time when using Hitt Road northbound and to stay alert for construction equipment and personnel operating along the roadway shoulder.
No alternate detour routes have been officially designated, meaning northbound traffic will continue to funnel through the roundabout and merge point rather than being redirected entirely. Drivers heading to the Grand Peaks Medical area or other destinations north of Lincoln Road should factor in potential delays for the duration of the project.
For updates on road conditions and infrastructure projects across the region, visit Idaho News for statewide coverage.