Relief in sight for Highway 53 commuters near Hauser Lake Road

For drivers experiencing delays amid construction on state Highway 53, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. 

Pleasant View Road is closed between Highway 53 and just north of the roundabout on Prairie Avenue while crews build an interchange that will connect to Hauser Lake Road and eliminate three railroad crossings. 

In the meantime, traffic from Pleasant View Road is routed along Prairie Avenue to access the highway. BNSF Railway trains have caused significant delays, with traffic sometimes backed up to the roundabout on Prairie Avenue at peak times. 

“I know a lot of people have been frustrated,” said ITD spokeswoman Heather McDaniel. 

In early 2025, ITD installed a temporary signal at Highway 53 and Prairie Avenue with the understanding that it could not be turned on until BNSF Railway implemented additional infrastructure to synchronize the signal cycle with the train crossing. 

“Because of the proximity to the railroad crossing, we can’t activate that signal without it being integrated with the timing of the railroad,” McDaniel said, adding that the integration will ensure the signal can accurately detect oncoming trains and function safely. “We did our part getting everything ready to go.” 

Within the last week, McDaniel said, ITD has learned that the signal will soon be operational. 

“Mid-June is the timeline for (BNSF Railway) to complete the work, and we’ll have the green light, pun intended, to get that signal activated,” she said. “That should relieve some of the pressure.” 

In the meantime, ITD encourages drivers to use alternate routes and avoid the area when possible. 

McDaniel said the interchange will consolidate traffic and increase capacity on key roads, improving efficiency, reliability and safety in moving freight and people while reducing the impact of freight movements on the community. 

“Once it’s done, it’s going to be fantastic,” she said. “But for now, there are growing pains.”