The Idaho Transportation Department has begun a major reconstruction effort on Kimberly Road in Twin Falls, with work officially resuming July 1 to replace aging pavement and upgrade critical infrastructure along a stretch of the busy corridor.
The project targets Kimberly Road from Blue Lakes Boulevard to Eastland Drive, combining road resurfacing with broader improvements to the intersection at Blue Lakes Boulevard and related traffic infrastructure. Over the next 12 months, crews will install new pavement, rebuild the roadway base, upgrade traffic signals at two key intersections, and add accessible ramps and drainage systems.
Traffic Restrictions and Operational Changes
Motorists should expect significant delays during construction. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction along the work zone, and flaggers will manually direct vehicles on Blue Lakes Boulevard during paving operations. Several local streets will see temporary closures at their intersections with Kimberly Road as work progresses.
The timing reflects coordination between the city and the state transportation department. Twin Falls had prioritized a waterline replacement project in the years preceding this roadwork, aiming to complete that infrastructure work before the state’s resurfacing effort began. The waterline project, which ran for roughly two years, created its own traffic disruptions in the area.
Josh Palmer, the city’s spokesman, acknowledged the cumulative impact of back-to-back construction projects on residents and business owners. “When we did the waterline project, I know it was inconvenient,” Palmer said, recognizing the extended timeline of infrastructure work in the corridor.
Scope of Infrastructure Improvements
Beyond pavement replacement, the project encompasses upgrades designed to modernize the roadway and improve traffic flow long-term. Signal improvements at the Blue Lakes Boulevard and Locust Street intersections with Kimberly Road will enhance safety and efficiency. The addition of ADA-compliant ramps and enhanced drainage systems addresses accessibility and stormwater management concerns identified in earlier planning phases.
The project represents a substantial investment in Southeast Idaho infrastructure at a time when transportation funding has become more constrained across the state. Over $1 billion in Idaho road work has been shelved after the state legislature trimmed the transportation budget, making projects like this one notable examples of ongoing state investment in regional corridors.
What Comes Next
The Idaho Transportation Department expects the project to conclude within approximately one year, though weather and unforeseen site conditions could affect the timeline. Motorists are advised to plan for extended travel times through the construction zone and to follow directions from flaggers and traffic control personnel. Businesses along Kimberly Road should prepare for the year-long construction period and coordinate with the project team on access concerns.
Twin Falls officials have indicated that communication with the public will continue throughout the project. Residents and businesses seeking specific information about closures, timeline adjustments, or traffic impacts can contact the city or the Idaho Transportation Department as work progresses.
The Kimberly Road project adds to a broader wave of infrastructure work across Pocatello and Chubbuck, where Yellowstone Avenue concrete replacement began July 6 and will span through 2027, underscoring sustained investment in key regional transportation corridors despite statewide budget pressures.