Starting next week, crews will begin utilizing temporary traffic signals on State Highway 200. These signals will operate 24 hours a day and reduce the roadway to one lane on the east end of the work zone.
The temporary traffic signals are expected to be in place until for approximately two weeks as crews work to construct a new embankment along the south shoulder of the highway and create the space necessary to expand the highway to include a new center turn lane.
This work also includes milling down through the existing eastbound lane to tie the new and original roadway surfaces together. Available space for through traffic will be limited to a single lane warranting the use of temporary signals around the clock, even outside of working hours. Previously the roadway has only been reduced to one lane during working hours with traffic returned to its normal configuration during nights and weekends.
During this time drivers should continue to expect delays, especially during peak times of the morning and evening commute.
Crews remain mindful of congestion and will take all reasonable steps to minimize the amount of delay drivers experience.
The Idaho Transportation Department appreciates the ongoing patience of motorists throughout this process. The new roadway will deliver a significantly improved corridor to the Kootenai community later this fall.
Once this phase of work is complete both temporary signals will be removed; however, there may be a possibility for intermittent, short term flagging operations after the removal of the signals.
By mid-September motorists can expect notable improvement in the ease of mobility through the construction zone.
This project is on track for final completion of all phases by mid- to late-October.