Drivers traveling Interstate 90 between State Highway 41 in Post Falls and U.S. Highway 95 in Coeur d’Alene should prepare for several significant traffic changes over the coming weeks as the Idaho Transportation Department continues work to expand the interstate.
The changes will happen in stages as crews prepare for a major traffic shift that will move both westbound lanes to the south side of the interstate. This shift is currently targeted for around Oct. 20 and is expected to remain in place for a full year. The exact timing will depend on how work progresses in the weeks leading up to the shift, so drivers should watch for updates from ITD and check Idaho 511 before traveling.
MAJOR I-90 TRAFFIC SHIFT IN LATE OCTOBER
Once the necessary preparation is complete, both westbound I-90 lanes will be crossed over to the south side of the interstate, alongside eastbound traffic. This configuration will allow crews to reconstruct the new westbound lanes on the north side of the interstate while keeping two lanes of travel open in each direction during construction.
During the crossover, drivers can expect:
- Two lanes maintained in each direction, with narrow shoulders, separated by concrete barriers.
- The westbound rest area will be closed to all traffic, including commercial vehicles.
- The eastbound rest area will remain open.
The timing of some changes and impacts will depend on the completion of earlier phases, so ITD will provide more specific information in the future as dates become more certain.
This shift will require closures at the State Highway 41 Interchange, with impacts to the eastbound on-ramp before the shift and impacts to the westbound off-ramp after the shift.
NORTHEWST BOULEVARD CLOSURE EXTENDED UP TO TWO WEEKS
The on-ramp for Interstate 90 was originally expected to re-open Monday, but crews identified unforeseen issues with how the newly reconstructed ramp connects to the interstate. ITD evaluated several options for addressing the issue, including a shorter-term fix that would require more closures in the future. Instead, crews will use the existing closure to complete the work now and avoid additional disruption later. The ramp is now expected to reopen around Oct. 12.
“We know extending a closure is frustrating, but we believe it is the best way to keep traffic consistent for drivers and avoid having to close the ramp again in the future,” said Project Manager Zach Feist. “We’d rather be upfront about the inconvenience now and get this work completed during the closure that is already in place.”
STATE HIGHWAY 41
Eastbound on-ramp
As work progresses toward the larger traffic shift, drivers should also expect a temporary closure of the eastbound I-90 on-ramp from SH-41 for approximately one week to prepare for the upcoming I-90 shift of the westbound lanes.
During this time, drivers needing to enter eastbound I-90 from the SH-41 will have two primary options during the closure:
- Enter eastbound I-90 at Seltice Way, east of the SH-41 Interchange.
- Take Seltice Way east toward Coeur d’Alene and enter I-90 at the Northwest Boulevard Interchange.
Westbound off-ramp
ITD also tentatively expects nighttime closures of the westbound SH-41 off-ramp starting in late October as excavation and reconstruction of the westbound lanes begins. More information about those closures will be provided as the work gets closer.
HUETTER ROAD
After all interstate traffic is consolidated to the south side of the interstate around Oct. 20, Huetter Road will close beneath I-90 for up to two weeks while crews demolish the existing interstate bridges.
Drivers north of the interstate will use Mullan Avenue or Poleline/Hanley Avenue as alternate routes. Drivers south of the interstate will detour around the area using Seltice Way.
PLAN FOR MORE UPDATES
“We recognize that this is a lot of change for drivers to keep track of,” Feist said. “Some of these dates will depend on the work that happens before them, so they may shift. Our goal is to give people as much notice as possible about what is coming so they can plan ahead.”
ITD will continue sharing updates as the project moves through each phase. Drivers should slow down, stay alert and follow posted speed limits throughout the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to sign up for ITD email and text alerts and check Idaho 511 before traveling.
The I-90 widening project between SH-41 and US-95 is expected to continue through 2029 and will ultimately widen I-90 to four lanes in each direction.
The I-90 widening project is primarily funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation, or TECM funds, as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. The TECM program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build.
For more information about this and other ITD projects, visit ITD’s website. For the most up-to-date statewide traffic information, visit 511.idaho.gov or download the Idaho 511 app to your smart device.