Plan and Have Fun This Labor Day

By Stephanie Eddy, The Idaho Statesman, Boise

Aug. 31–The race to get away for the long Labor Day weekend won’t begin without a little planning, from how much you’ll spend on gas to how to dress for the weather.

Heading into the Labor Day holiday weekend, travelers will find mostly dry and warm weather throughout the state, with light precipitation expected late Friday in the mountains from Idaho City to McCall, said Dave Groenert, meteorologist for the National Weather Service Boise office.

Highs for the weekend are expected to be in the mid-90s in most areas of the Treasure Valley and in the mid-80s in the mountains. Lows for the Treasure Valley will be 50-60 degrees with mid-40s forecast for mountain areas.

Gas Prices

Getting around this weekend is still pricey, although Idaho gas prices were down about 20 cents in recent weeks compared to a 13 cent drop in the U.S. average price, according to AAA Idaho. Idaho’s current $2.80 average price compared to the U.S. average of $2.76.

Although gas prices are down, travel is expected to be somewhat conservative as Americans continue to be concerned about travel affordability, AAA representatives said.

AAA Idaho estimates that 156,000 Idahoans will travel 50 miles or more this holiday weekend, up about 2,000 from a year ago.

Law enforcement

If you do drive — whether for long or short distances — there will be someone watching.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Idaho, and across the nation, will work overtime through the Labor Day weekend to catch and arrest impaired drivers, according to Idaho Transportation Department. The effort is part of the “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest” national campaign.

At least 30 Idaho law enforcement agencies are expected to participate in a statewide overtime enforcement campaign that began Friday and continues through Sept. 4. Overtime costs for the additional enforcement patrols are covered by a grant from the Idaho Transportation Department.

“No matter what you drive, a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle, if you’re caught driving impaired, you will be arrested,” said Kevin Bechen with ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety.

Roads

Once on the road, there should be no major highway closures, according to the Idaho Department of Transportation. Still, it’s a good ideas to check the department’s 511 Web site link for the most up-to-date conditions, said spokesman Steve Grant.

One constant problem, however, is Idaho 55, which can quickly become congested with heavy traffic on weekends. ITD officials suggest alternative routes to mountain getaways.

The department’s holiday traffic control project will help motorists at the intersection of Idaho 55 and Banks to Lowman Road from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. The hours may be extended if traffic remains heavy there. Flaggers have assisted motorists at this intersection since 1995.

Motorists also should be aware of construction on Idaho 55 at Rainbow Bridge near Smiths Ferry. Both lanes of the bridge will be open from noon today to noon Tuesday to help ease holiday weekend traffic.

Travelers who choose Idaho 55 should plan at least an extra hour for their trip.

—–

To see more of the Idaho Statesman, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.idahostatesman.com

Copyright (c) 2007, The Idaho Statesman, Boise

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.