New lane at busy SH-53 intersection in Rathdrum to ease congestion

Traffic backed up at the intersection with cones

Starting next week crews will return to Rathdrum to begin construction on State Highway 53 near the State Highway 41 intersection north of the railroad tracks.

The Idaho Transportation Department will construct an additional northbound through lane on SH-53 so that two lanes of traffic are able to move north through the intersection during green cycles. After construction SH-53 will still have a dedicated right turn lane for vehicles wishing to travel over the bridge.

The additional lane is intended to allow for more vehicles at a time to make it through the signal and help reduce the length of queued vehicles during peak hours.

During construction crews will close the existing right turn lane, meaning all northbound SH-53 traffic will make all movements from the one through lane. Drivers should also expect reduced speed limits and flagging. Any flagging for signal work will be done outside of peak hours.

Updates to traffic impacts and delays can be found using the Idaho 511 system either online, by phone or through the app.

US-95 highway improvement work resumes, slated to finish 2025

Construction on the new U.S. Highway 95 four-lane segment between Moscow and Thorn Creek Road will resume this week. Drivers can expect to have one lane in each direction and slow down to 45 miles per hour in work zones mainly near Reisenhauer Hill until construction of five miles on the north end of the project is ready to accept traffic this summer.

Last year crews constructed nearly five of the six miles. They will now focus on paving the new alignment, building two bridges over Thorn Creek and connecting the new roadway to existing US-95. Construction on Thorn Creek bridges will continue in the fall.

The existing US-95 roadway will temporarily close at Reisenauer Hill in the summer as ITD switches traffic over to the new alignment. At that time, Latah County will assume ownership of the old route and plans to use funds from the Thorn Creek project to repave and reopen it.

“We have been running on all cylinders to deliver this vital safety project for our region,” District Engineer Doral Hoff said. “M.A. DeAtley Construction, Inc. and their teams are also eager to transform US-95 to four lanes so motorists can experience increased capacity for mobility and improved geometry for safety. We are appreciative of the public’s patience during this construction effort.”

Portions of this project are funded as part of Idaho Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho transportation funding initiative. The Leading Idaho money allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to advance large projects that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy and positively impact communities across the state for years to come.

Travelers are reminded to check for live traffic impacts across the region including this one by visiting 511.idaho.gov, dialing 5-1-1 or downloading the app.

Click here to see a map of the construction.

Full closures of I-84 in Nampa to begin Sunday

The Idaho Transportation Department will close Interstate 84 around the Karcher Interchange in Nampa starting this weekend to implement a traffic shift. This shift will allow crews to establish a safe work zone around the center pier of the bridge while maintaining the same number of lanes on I-84. Over the following weeks, crews will reinforce the interchange bridge to support the new westbound lane on Karcher Road (State Highway 55).

Here’s what to expect:

Full closure of westbound I-84 on Sunday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Full closure of eastbound I-84 on Monday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.

The Karcher Interchange project addresses the unprecedented growth in Canyon County by widening the interchange bridge, adding a free-running westbound right turn lane and an additional westbound lane through Caldwell Boulevard. Additional improvements will include:

Upgrading signal equipment and adjusting timing at ramp intersections
Adding a pedestrian flashing beacon at the I-84 eastbound on-ramp
Adding a new sidewalk/bike path west of Caldwell Boulevard on the north side of Karcher Road (SH-55)
Repaving Karcher Road (SH-55) from the westbound on-ramps to Middleton Road

This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled if there is precipitation or temperatures drop too low. To learn more about the project or view detour maps, please visit the project website.

10th Avenue in Caldwell closing Saturday for bridge construction

The Idaho Transportation Department will close 10th Avenue in Caldwell underneath the interchange bridge this Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The closure is necessary for crews to install concrete girders that will support the new bridge deck.

The seven girders to be placed are made in Caldwell. Each girder is 140 feet long and weighs 133,000 pounds. Motorists will be detoured on Centennial Way during the closure, and shuttle buses will be available to transport pedestrians and bicyclists. Interstate 84 will not be impacted during this girder placement.

“Placing these girders is a major milestone in the project,” ITD Resident Engineer Styles Salek said. “The new bridge will accommodate the additional lanes being added to I-84, improving traffic flow and capacity in the area.”

This girder placement is part of the ongoing project on I-84 between the Centennial Way and Franklin Road interchanges in Caldwell. This comprehensive project, which began in November 2023, includes:

Widening I-84 to three lanes in each direction, with auxiliary lanes between interchanges.
Replacing the 10th Avenue Interchange.
Removing one westbound on-ramp at the 10th Avenue Interchange.
Updating the pedestrian overpass.
Building a sound wall along Hannibal Street.
Adding a traffic signal at the westbound ramps at the Centennial Way Interchange.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit in the I-84 work zone is 55 mph. With workers, trucks, and heavy equipment operating close to traffic, ITD urges motorists to slow down, stay alert, and follow all posted signs.

The public is encouraged to stay informed by signing up for email and text alerts. Text 84CORRIDOR to 1-866-483-8422 or visit https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/84-centennialtofranklin

A picture of the girders being made in Caldwell, Idaho. — Crews will close 10th Avenue underneath the interchange bridge on Saturday, March 8. This closure will give crews the space they need to place girders for the interchange bridge.

Public invited to review proposed design for I-90, US-95 Interchange

The Idaho Transportation Department will host an open house next week in Coeur d’Alene to share information and gather input on the proposed redesign of the Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 95 Interchange and associated local road improvements.

Date: Wednesday, March 5

Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)

Location: Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn

506 West Appleway Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

The design is funded by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative and is the first interchange project to emerge from the I-90 Corridor Study. The goal of the proposed design is to expand the interchange, enhance safety, and improve mobility to support future traffic volumes, which are expected to double by 2045. Ideas regarding the design for a future new interchange for I-90 and US-95 have been presented to the public through open house events of the past in 2022 and 2023.

The current design proposes several improvements, including a new single-point urban interchange, widening US-95, and grade separating US-95 and Appleway, among others.

For those not able to attend the open house in person, an online option will share the same information and be available starting March 5 at itdprojects.org/i90corridor. Comments submitted online before March 19 will be considered by the project team.

“The I-90 and US-95 Interchange connects two of the most traveled, and most congested, roadways in the region. Adding capacity and improving mobility on the interchange and adjacent roads will help to alleviate congestion, reduce crashes, and shorten commutes,” ITD Project Manager Joey Sprague said. “The intersection at US-95 and Appleway has the most crashes of any intersection in North Idaho. The proposed design will increase both vehicular and pedestrian safety and optimize interchange operations for decades to come.”

ITD is meeting with city officials, property owners and local businesses ahead of the public open house to present the design, answer questions and gather feedback. To stay up to date on this and other projects on the I-90 corridor, visit itdprojects.org/i90corridor and sign up for email updates.

Spring road restrictions go into effect on Idaho roadways

Sign notifying drivers of breakup limits in effect.

Sections of some state highways in Boundary County will find themselves under weight and speed restrictions starting at 6 a.m. tomorrow as regional weather trends begin to warm ahead of spring.

Immediate impacts to commercial vehicles will be:

US-95 from the US-2 junction to Eastport (milepost 511 to 538.56)

Commercial vehicles 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating and greater will be restricted to 30 miles per hour with legal axle weight

US-2 from the US-95 junction to the Montana state line (milepost 64.35 to 80.18)

Commercial vehicles 10,000 GVWR and greater will be restricted to 30 miles per hour with legal axle weight

SH-1 from the US-95 junction to Porthill (milepost 0 to 11.19)

Commercial vehicles 10,000 GVWR and greater will be restricted to 30 miles per hour and 14,000 LB per axle, or legal axle weight whichever is less

State Highways 200 and 57 in Bonner County will likely also see similar restrictions in place starting next week.

As the season changes, additional sections of highways across the entire Idaho Panhandle may have load limits and speed restrictions in effect. These restrictions are communicated with red/green indicator flags on load limit signs. Red means restrictions are in effect and large vehicles must follow the reduced limits. When green flags are out it means all traffic can flow without restrictions as the road conditions are more stable.

ITD crews closely monitor both weather and road conditions and make determinations about restrictions being in effect, which is why drivers may see them intermittently on and off as conditions change.

“These restrictions are put in place when the highways start showing signs of stress from the winter freeze/thaw cycle,” Boundary Foreman George Shutes said.

As the frost and ice thaw, they turn into water underneath the road, making the ground soft and highly vulnerable to damage. Large vehicles, because of their weight, push that water as they drive, almost like a wave moving through the layers beneath the road. This causes serious damage to the highway’s base and pavement, leading to cracks, erosion, and ultimately, the road breaking down much faster.

Slowing those vehicles down, and in some cases, limiting the weight, significantly reduces the stress on the roadway and prevents unnecessary damage like severe potholes. This not only protects the road from costly repairs, but also extends its lifespan, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars and ensuring safer driving conditions for everyone.

While restrictions are in effect, state law does not require large vehicles to pull over or allow cars to pass. This means that there is the potential for delays with reduced speeds along highway corridors.

“The best thing people can do this time of year is give themselves a little extra time to get from point A to point B,” Idaho State Police Sergeant Ron Sutton said. “Too often we see people get impatient and take unnecessary risks, like attempting to pass when it’s not safe, and those decisions can lead to disaster.”

Load limit restriction information is largely targeted towards commercial drivers on the 511 system, however that information is available to everyone by adjusting program settings. Drivers can find up to the minute road restriction information both online and through the app by following the steps below.

Online users can select the ‘Restrictions’ option under ‘Trucker Information’ on the menu on the right side of the page. See the first example below.

Mobile users can select the driver view setting to toggle into ‘Trucker view’ mode to view restriction information. See the second example below.

Example 1

Example 2

ITD announces new incident response program for the I-90 corridor in North Idaho

UPDATE: This service will now be on duty Monday – Thursday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., after further coordination with law enforcement.

The Idaho Transportation Department is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new Incident Response Vehicle program, which will begin operation next week to assist drivers along key corridors in North Idaho. This initiative is designed to enhance safety by providing rapid response to disabled vehicles, minor crashes, and other roadside emergencies, allowing motorists to get safely off the highway with minimal delay or risk to other drivers.

The IVR will primarily patrol the I-90 corridor, focusing particularly on work zones where limited shoulders and a lack of space pose more risk for travelers experiencing difficulties. These high-priority areas include ongoing construction projects at the State Highway 41 Interchange and the upcoming four lane expansion between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Additionally, the truck will respond to incidents along the US-95 corridor stretching from the Spokane River Bridge to Lancaster Road through Coeur d’Alene.

The program will offer a wide range of services to assist drivers in need, including helping with flat tire changes, delivering small amounts of fuel for vehicles that have run out, jump-starting dead batteries, and even providing push or pull assistance for vehicles stuck in ditches following a crash or slide-off. The truck is fully equipped with the tools necessary to address minor maintenance issues and also has lights and signs to alert other drivers to a potential hazard while they work to clear the incident. Outside of keeping everyone safer, these free services are expected to save money by preventing costly congestion.

The new truck will be operated by a dedicated ITD operations employee and will be in service from Tuesday to Friday, between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The schedule was created based on data analysis of traffic volume and incident trends to maximize the program’s impact during peak hours and will be subject to change with the season.

“We are excited to bring this vital service to North Idaho,” said Ryan Crabtree, ITD Business Operations Manager. “By providing this dedicated vehicle, we are not only helping drivers get back on the road more quickly but also improving safety for everyone by reducing the risks associated with stopped vehicles in high-traffic areas.”

The new program builds on the success of a similar initiative in the Treasure Valley region of Southern Idaho, which has been operational since 1997. In fact, this initial vehicle was donated by ITD’s southern district. District One plans to add an additional incident response truck to its fleet later this summer

This new program also aims to support law enforcement agencies by helping to alleviate some of their non-emergency calls for traffic issues. With the addition of ITD’s Incident Response Truck, local law enforcement can focus on more complex and urgent matters, while ITD staff handle minor incidents and roadside assistance. For more critical traffic incidents that require police investigation, the IRV can help to provide additional traffic control to ensure the safety of first responders and other drivers on the road.

“We look forward to working closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated response to incidents,” Crabtree said. “This collaboration will help ensure that our highways are safer and that we are meeting the needs of the community.”

ITD encourages drivers to slow down and “move over” in accordance with Idaho law when emergency vehicles like this one are operating.

Anyone finding themselves in need of assistance, especially through the work zones or on busy roadways, should report emergencies to 911 or non-emergencies to local law enforcement.

Work on the I-90 bridges near Cataldo will begin to impact traffic

Aerial view of the I-90 bridges over the Coeur d'Alene river near Cataldo

Starting next week drivers will be required to slow down and merge into a single lane in both directions as work resumes to reconstruct the Interstate 90 bridges over the Coeur d’Alene River near Cataldo. These bridges were first built in 1964 and are ready for replacement.

As early as mid-March all traffic will be shifted on to the westbound side of the interstate to allow crews to demolish and reconstruct the eastbound bridge. Next year, the westbound bridge is scheduled for replacement with traffic shifted to the new eastbound bridge. Work will end in late 2026.

River and trail users will also experience impacts during the 2025 construction season.

River Impacts

Beginning April 1 recreational access and use of the river, including boating, kayaking, tubing, swimming and fishing will be restricted for 500 feet on both sides of the bridges Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boat launches outside of the work zone will remain available for use, though no one will be able to pass underneath the structure during working hours for safety reasons.

Construction will take scheduled breaks during the major summer holidays and access to the river will be available for recreation.

Signs will be posted locally at boat launches and access points that will update users of restrictions or changes throughout the construction process.

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes Impacts

During construction trail users should be aware that there may be intermittent closures of five or ten minutes as equipment and materials are transported across the trail during day to day operations. Flaggers will be present during these closures to ensure safe crossing for crew members, vehicles and trail users.

Trail users should exercise caution in areas adjacent to the work zone for the possibility of loose dirt or gravel on the trail surface.

In 2024 a temporary work bridge was constructed across the river to provide crews and equipment access. Crossover lanes were also constructed on both ends of the work zone to allow for vehicles to be shifted during construction to maintain the flow of traffic.

This project is one of several that will dot the I-90 corridor from the Washington state line to the Silver Valley in 2025, including expanding the freeway to four lanes between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, upgrading the I-90 State Highway 41 Interchange, and repaving from Wolf Lodge to Fourth of July Pass.

Drivers are encouraged to use the Idaho 511 system, either online, by phone or through the app, for updates on conditions and traffic impacts throughout the construction season.

Significant traffic changes ahead for construction on the I-90, SH-41 Interchange in Post Falls

Aerial view of the westbound I-90 SH-41 exit loop ramp

Starting Monday, March 3, the Idaho Transportation Department will be making several significant changes to traffic near the Interstate 90 and State Highway 41 Interchange. These changes are necessary to accommodate ongoing construction efforts as ITD nears a major milestone of the project with the completion of the new Single Point Urban Interchange.

I-90 westbound off ramp to get to SH-41

Closed March 3 through Fall 2025
Traffic will be detoured to the Seltice Way Interchange at Exit 6. Click here for detour map.
A temporary signal has been installed at Seltice Way to handle detoured traffic exiting the interstate

On ramp from SH-41 to get onto eastbound I-90

Closed overnight from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from March 3 through mid-March
Traffic will be detoured west on Seltice Way to the exit 6 eastbound on-ramp.

SH-41 under I-90

Closed March through mid-April
Traffic will be diverted to Greensferry Road while crews deconstruct the temporary bridge and work on utilities. Click here for detour map.

Central Avenue

Closed early March through Fall 2025
Click here for a map of available business accesses.

Overnight single lane closures on I-90 in both eastbound and westbound lanes throughout the work zone

8 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 3 through mid-April

Westbound on ramp for SH-41 traffic

Additional changes to the westbound on-ramp are coming later this spring. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.

“Reconstructing the westbound off-ramp and improving SH-41 is a key part of the project’s success,” said project manager Randy Durland. “We thank the public again for their patience during these closures as crews continue to make significant progress towards the finish line.”

Construction on the new ramp and SPUI is expected to be complete in 2026.

Drivers can use the Idaho 511 system for updated traffic conditions, detours and delays by dialing 511, visiting the website, or downloading the app to your smart device.

To learn more, visit the project website at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i90sh41ic, call 208-738-4190, or email info@i90corridor.com.

Open house Thursday, March 6, to share preliminary design plans to improve US-91

Drone photo of Siphon Road north of Chubbuck

The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting an open house on Thursday, March 6, to share information and gather community input about plans to improve U.S. Highway 91 between Siphon Road and Reservation Road to address increased growth.

The public is invited to view preliminary design plans in person from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Tyhee Elementary School at 12743 W. Tyhee Road in Chubbuck. Community members are encouraged to stop by to learn about the project and provide feedback. Project staff will be available to answer questions.

Preliminary design plans currently include:

Widening US-91 between Siphon Road and Tyhee Road to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane between Siphon Road and Tyhee Road.
Resurfacing US-91 between Tyhee Road and Reservation Road.
Improving residential access in the project area.

Those who are unable to attend in person are invited to view identical project information online and comment from March 6 to March 20 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us91-siphontoreservation.

“ITD recognizes how vital US-91 is to the Chubbuck area, and we want to be prepared as growth in the area continues,” Project Manager Bo Frasure said. “Input from the community will be essential as we move forward on this project.”

More information about the US-91 Siphon Road to Reservation Road project is available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us91-siphontoreservation.