Beginning April 28, routine maintenance will commence on several bridges across North Idaho as part of a scheduled infrastructure improvement effort. The Idaho Transportation Department will carry out essential maintenance work at seven locations over the next several months.
The first phase of work begins on Bunco Road over U.S. Highway 95, with additional work kicking off in early May at Northwest Boulevard and the Interstate 90 Veterans Memorial Bridge. Active construction will occur weekdays, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., with scheduled breaks surrounding major holidays and local events. Work is expected to span through spring and summer and will be completed by late fall.
The full list of locations includes:
- Bunco Road over US-95
- US-95 over Northwest Boulevard – (night work; expect traffic impacts on both US-95 and Northwest Blvd)
- Veterans Memorial Bridge on Interstate 90
- I-90 over Potlatch Hill Road
- Shiplett Road over I-90 (toward Silver Valley)
- I-90 eastbound on-ramp over South Fork Coeur d’Alene River
- I-90 westbound two-way ramp over South Fork Coeur d’Alene River
Traffic Impacts
Information about traffic impacts will be available to the public in advance through the 511 system and are expected to include:
- Lane reductions.
- Alternating one-lane travel in some areas.
- On- and off-ramps near project zones may experience temporary closures, especially the southbound US-95 off-ramp at Bunco Road.
- Efforts will be made to avoid construction over major holidays and peak travel periods.
- Flaggers for traffic control.
- Nighttime work at US-95 over Northwest Boulevard.
Attempts will be made to have no more than three of these locations under construction simultaneously to minimize overall impact for drivers, especially with several other unrelated projects underway across the region this year.
Bunco Road
One of the bridges included in this project—Bunco Road over US-95—was not originally scheduled for repair. However, following a bridge strike last year caused by a truck hauling an improperly secured load, the structure sustained damage that now requires attention.
This incident serves as a critical reminder to secure loads properly and observe over height signage. Bridge strikes not only pose safety risks but also lead to unnecessary repairs, traffic disruptions, and costs.
As part of the repair plan that begins in late April, the Bunco Road bridge will need to be “loaded”—a process that involves placing weight, likely in the form of heavy equipment, on the bridge to flex the girders and allow crews to make necessary adjustments. Community members may notice large vehicles or machinery parked on the bridge for extended periods. While it may seem unusual, this is a planned, essential step in the repair process, not an emergency, delay or lack of progress.
Veterans Memorial Bridge
Work on the Veterans Memorial Bridge will last the longest, extending into late fall. Work will include deck maintenance and pier crack repair, which may involve top-down methods that could require additional lane closures and impacts to traffic starting May 5.
US-95 over Northwest Boulevard
Night work at US-95 and Northwest Boulevard is planned to minimize daytime traffic disruptions. Coordination with the city of Coeur d’Alene will help mitigate impacts during local events. Specific nighttime work hours will be communicated via the Idaho 511 system once they are determined.
“These are routine but important upgrades to ensure our bridges stay safe and operational,” said Preston Sochovka, ITD’s project manager. “Coming right on the heels of National Work Zone Safety Week, it’s a timely reminder for drivers to secure their loads and use extra caution when traveling through active construction zones—for your safety and ours.”
