Category: North

 

Drivers in Kootenai County should expect various nighttime lane closures, detours, and shifting traffic patterns throughout August as the Idaho Transportation Department performs a series of small maintenance and pavement preservation projects.

Work will take place overnight, typically between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., to limit daytime traffic impacts. Crews will rotate between several locations to complete tasks like resurfacing, sealing cracks and restriping, among and other surface repairs.

“We’re taking advantage of the cooler nighttime hours to minimize disruptions while improving the condition and safety of our highways,” Foreman TJ Gibson said. “We really appreciate the public’s patience and engaged driving for the safety of our guys and gals out working on the roads.”

Upcoming work schedule

Schedules may shift depending on weather and progress.

Aug. 4: Lane shift on State Highway 53 near Greensferry Road to remove existing striping in preparation for new lines.

Aug. 6: On-ramp to westbound Interstate 90 from Beck Road closed, and one lane closed on I-90 near the Washington state line for resurfacing.

Aug. 7: Lane closures at Beck Road and Point Parkway for resurfacing.

Week of Aug. 11: Crack sealing on the Post Falls Business Loop which consists of Seltice Way from Bay Street to Spokane Street.

Aug. 14: Full overnight closure at the intersection of Spokane Street and Seltice Way for resurfacing. Detours will be posted in 511 and via local signage.

Aug. 19: Both southbound lanes closed on U.S. Highway 95 near Appleway Avenue; detours for the intersection will be in place.

Aug. 21: Both northbound lanes closed on US-95 near Appleway Avenue; detours for the intersection will be in place.

Week of Aug. 25: Crack sealing throughout the US-95 corridor through Coeur d’Alene.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, drive with caution through work zones, and use Idaho 511 online or through the app for the most up-to-date traffic impacts and detour routes.

 

Starting Monday the Idaho Transportation Department will begin paving a section of State Highway 3 between mileposts 55 and 58 near Clarkia. Work is expected to continue through August 14, weather permitting.

Traffic will be reduced to a single lane during the day, with a pilot car guiding vehicles through the work zone. Drivers—especially commercial and logging truck traffic—should plan for delays throughout the duration of the project.

This effort is a short-term fix aimed at improving the worst sections of pavement before a more comprehensive project takes place next year. In 2026, ITD plans to return to the area to complete a full-depth rehabilitation that will include milling and completely repaving the highway. You can read more about that upcoming project here.

“This isn’t the final product,” said Ross Farrell, regional Foreman.  “This overlay is meant to buy us time and provide a smoother, safer surface through winter until the full project can be completed next  year.”

The paving effort is being supported by crews from both North Idaho and the north-central part of the state, who are teaming up to help complete the work efficiently. The project site is located near the regional boundary, making this kind of inter-district support possible, and appreciated.

ITD encourages drivers to slow down in work zones and check 511.idaho.gov or the Idaho 511 app for real-time construction impacts and travel updates.

 

Drivers on State Highway 3 should plan for lane restrictions and delays starting today as crews begin replacing a nearly century-old bridge just north of the State Highway 6 Junction.

During construction:

• Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
• A temporary signal will control alternating traffic flow.
• A shoofly detour (a temporary bypass road) will guide vehicles around the work zone.

The bridge, originally built in 1934, is being replaced due to age and ongoing maintenance needs. The $2 million project will improve both safety and functionality along this stretch of SH-3:

• The new bridge will support heavier loads and increased traffic volumes.
• The road will be widened to include 5-foot shoulders for enhanced safety.
• Updated guardrail will be installed along the improved section.

“These updates are vital for ensuring the long-term safety and reliability of the route, especially for the freight and logging industries that rely on it every day,” said Project Manager Jacob Edlund.

This project is expected to be complete by late fall of this year.

Delays and lane restrictions are expected to last throughout the summer. Drivers are encouraged to check Idaho 511 for the latest updates on road conditions and travel impacts.

 

Starting Monday the Idaho Transportation Department will begin a 2-week, nighttime project to grind and repave the center of U.S. Highway 95 from Granite Loop Road to Blacktail Road north of Athol.

Work will begin at 7 p.m. every weeknight and wrap up by 5 a.m. the following morning, returning traffic to its normal pattern. Overnight flaggers will assist drivers through the work zone using a single, alternating lane of traffic to allow space for crews to work.

Drivers should expect the potential for delays, use Idaho 511 to plan ahead and drive with caution for the safety of drivers and crew members alike.

 

Drivers using Interstate 90 over the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Coeur d’Alene will start to see some weekend relief from lane closures as construction continues on one of Idaho’s most iconic and highly traveled bridges.

Earlier this summer, crews began working on the bridge as part of a larger project to repair and preserve several bridges across the Panhandle. Because I-90 is such a busy route, lane closures were needed to give workers and equipment a safe space to operate. The Veterans Memorial Bridge is a large structure, and repairs require specialized tools and setup. Up to now, full-time traffic control has been essential to keep crews safe.

Now that the project has reached a key milestone, crews are able to adjust how they manage traffic. Starting this weekend, ITD will begin reopening all four lanes—two in each direction—on weekends. Traffic control devices will be removed Friday through Sunday evenings, and the interstate will return to its regular configuration. Lane closures will go back into place during the week so crews can continue working.

Some drivers have asked why the bridge has been reduced to one lane in each direction even when it looks like no one is working. The reason is that much of the work is happening underneath the bridge. Workers are using scaffolding and equipment that hangs over the side of the bridge deck to access the areas that need repairs. So while you might not see people on top of the bridge, important work is still being done out of sight to improve the structure and keep it safe for years to come.

ITD expects the project to wrap up by the end of August. In the meantime, drivers are asked to watch for changing traffic patterns, be alert in work zones, and remain patient as crews complete this important work.

Traffic impact information is available using 511.idaho.gov.

Drivers traveling U.S. Highway 95 through Coeur d’Alene on Sunday should expect slower traffic and possible delays as crews with the Idaho Transportation Department paint the highway lines between Lancaster Road and the Spokane River Bridge.

Crews will begin work early around 6:30 a.m. and expect to finish by 4 p.m. This is a high-traffic area with many intersections and signals, so extra caution is needed.

To help keep everyone safe our partners at the Idaho State Police will assist with additional patrols in the area. Drivers should be patient, give the paint crew plenty of space, follow posted signs, and avoid crossing over wet paint lines.

 

Upcoming striping schedule (weather & conditions permitting):

July 21–28: Boundary County

• US-95
• SH-1
• US-2

July 29–31: SH-53 from the Washington state line to US-95

August 4–6: SH-41 from Mullan Ave to Rathdrum

August 6–18: US-95 from the Spokane River Bridge south to Sanders Road

Additional routes like SH-58 and SH-60 may be added to the schedule as time allows.

 

Why striping happens during the day

Many drivers ask why this work isn’t done at night to avoid traffic. The answer is simple: paint needs light and warmth to be applied safely and effectively. Striping requires clear visibility and vehicle lights aren’t enough for crews to paint accurate lines. Cooler nighttime temperatures in North Idaho can also prevent paint from drying properly, leading to poor adhesion and safety issues.

Some larger cities can stripe at night because of extensive street lighting, but those conditions don’t exist along most of our routes in North Idaho.

 

Sharing the road with striping crews

• Don’t pass striping crews or drive over fresh paint. This not only damages the lines but can also damage your vehicle.
• Watch for “wet paint” signs and pace cars. These guide the flow of traffic and help protect workers.

Be patient. Crews work as quickly and safely as possible to minimize disruptions while ensuring proper application of the paint and reflective beads.

ITD paints hundreds of miles of highway each year. The lines help guide drivers safely down the roadway and improve visibility, especially at night. Your cooperation helps us do this work safely—for you and our crews.

For updated information, visit 511.idaho.gov.

On Friday the Idaho Transportation Department will shift traffic from existing State Highway 54 to the new section of pavement between SH-41 and Ramsey Road.

Drivers will be routed onto this new section of roadway while crews begin rebuilding the existing lanes. During this time, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph and passing will not be allowed for the remainder of the construction season.

In the coming days and weeks, access to side streets and driveways in the area will be temporarily closed as crews work directly in front of them, but closures will be short and only in place as long as necessary – likely an hour or less. Drivers should pay attention to local signage for closures and detour routes as work rolls through the area.

This traffic shift marks a key milestone in the ongoing highway improvement project which is on track to be completed in 2026.

Drivers are urged to use caution in the area and watch for flaggers and signs.

Idaho 511 is available as a resource to provide updates on construction impacts and road conditions state-wide.

Anyone interested in following this project can register for email updates here.