Idaho Transportation Department

U.S. 95 - Sandpoint to Kootenai Cutoff

Project Description

Location: Bonner County
Contractor: Apollo Construction
Contract: $12.7 million
Started: October 2011
Est. Completion: Fall 2013

This project reconstructs 2 miles of U.S. 95 from 2 to a 4 lane divided highway, with Type IV access through the City of Ponderay. There will be traffic signals at Bonner Mall Way, and Kootenai Cutoff Road.

The U.S. 95 Sandpoint to Kootenai Cutoff is a “critical gap“ project.
The project will connect the Sand Creek Byway with the Kootenai Cutoff to Colburn (completed in the 90s) reconstruction project, completing a long-planned program of U.S. 95 modernization investments through Sandpoint and Ponderay.
The project addresses significant safety and highway modernization needs in a rapidly growing urban area of the state.
Modernizing this segment of U.S. 95 is essential to support continued economic growth in nearby commercial and industrial areas. This portion of U.S. 95 also serves considerable intra and inter-state traffic, supporting regional, state and national economic development.
Because District 1 anticipated the funding of this project, any significant maintenance was avoided for the past several years. The condition of the pavement in this section was so deteriorated that a temporary overlay costing approximately $2 million was necessary to provide a driving surface during construction which is safe for the travelling public.
The project includes a traffic signal at Bonner Mall Way which was included in the project because of the high number of vehicles which enter U.S. 95 at this point of egress.

Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is committed to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related regulations and directives. ITD assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any ITD service, program, or activity. The department also assures that every effort will be made to prevent discrimination through the impacts of its programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations. In addition, the department will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for persons with Limited English Proficiency.