Category: North

The ramp at Sherman Avenue to head west on Interstate 90 will close on Monday, July 13 to allow crews to replace the westbound bridge over Pennsylvania Avenue. The closure is expected to be in place for three months.

“We have finished the other bridge for eastbound travelers, and now it’s time to switch,” project manager Shannon Stein said. “After looking at the angles needed to merge traffic from the Sherman on-ramp and bring them over to the other side, we decided it was safest to close it.”

Motorists wishing to access westbound I-90 will be detoured to 15th Street. The current detour for the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue that sends drivers to Elm Street to cross underneath the interstate will remain in place.

For drivers traveling on I-90, the two lanes of traffic will be shifted from the westbound lanes to the eastbound lanes and the newly finished bridge. This shift will happen in stages on Friday morning and Monday morning.

Work began in March to ensure continued safe travel by replacing both bridges, which were built in 1960. Replacement of the final bridge is planned for completion in October.

The Idaho Transportation Department is asking for input on the just–released draft Idaho Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP). The 2021-2027 draft ITIP is a seven-year plan of the state’s transportation improvements, and all stakeholders are encouraged to participate.  

Projects can range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of a new guardrail. In all, the draft ITIP includes projects in all 44 counties and all modes of transportation. Projects were selected based on technical data, as well as input from local officials and residents. 

A complete breakdown of the draft plan can be found at  itd.idaho.gov/funding, as well as an interactive map that allows users to learn about projects by narrowing it down to specific categories and locations.

A few of the major projects in North Idaho include:
 

• – A study in 2021 to develop an environmental document to identify impacts for future I-90 expansion 
• – The addition of a third westbound lane on I-90 between Atlas Road and Government Way and on the Northwest Boulevard exit in 2027
• –A study in 2021 to identify optimal locations for wildlife crossings on US-95 between Grnaite Hill and Sandpoint
• – Several turn lanes on US-95 in 2027 at Mountain Meadows north of Naples, Kootenai Trail/Cabinet Mountain south of Bonners Ferry, West Elmira Road in Elmira and Conkling Road south of Worley
• – Turn lanes and lighting at Idaho Highway 41 and Spirit Bend in Spirit Lake in 2027

• – Flashing beacon at Idaho Highway 53 and Atlas Road east of Rathdrum in 2027

Comments will be taken from July 1-31 and can be e-mailed to ITDcommunication@itd.idaho.gov or mailed to:

ITIP – Comments
Attn: Aubrie Spence
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID  83707  

Paper copies of the ITIP will be provided upon request by contacting Aubrie at (208) 334-8119.  

All comments will be reviewed, incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate, and responses will be sent in August once the comment period has ended.

After approval by the Idaho Transportation Board in September, the ITIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in October. 

Work is now underway on a multi-year effort to improve and expand Idaho Highway 41 from two lanes to four lanes between Post Falls and Rathdrum.

“Expansion will better serve the drivers who use this route every day, which in some sections is nearly 20,000 motorists,” Resident Engineer Ryan Hawkins said. “The existing highway will essentially become the southbound lanes of the new highway, allowing much of the work to be constructed with minimal impact.”

Over the next three years, new lanes will be added to the east of the existing lanes, along with a wide path for bicyclists and pedestrians. Outside of city limits, the lanes will be divided by a grassy median.

An overpass will be built to carry traffic safely over the railroad tracks that cross the highway just north of Hayden Avenue. The other crossing south of Hayden Avenue will be removed. View a rendering of the overpass.

Construction of the overpass will be the first step in expanding the highway, with the northbound bridge completed in spring 2021 and the southbound bridge finished in spring 2022.

Utilities will be relocated or installed this year throughout the corridor to allow for the beginning of paving next spring. For information on staging, download this fact sheet.

“Traffic will continue to run on the current lanes while two new lanes and the railroad overpass are built to the east,” Hawkins said. “Once those lanes are finished, traffic will be moved onto that section while the old section is reconstructed.”

Crews with the primary contractor Scarcella Brothers, Inc. have already started necessary demolition efforts and are now fully mobilized. Email updates will be available throughout construction by signing up at itdprojects.org/id41corridor.

These changes were designed in cooperation with the cities of Rathdrum and Post Falls, and both cities are supporting expansion with funding.

Construction costs for expansion between Prairie Avenue and Boekel Road total $31.5 million, and the other portion between Mullan Avenue and Prairie Avenue will be bid this fall. Over the next seven years, ITD is investing more than $131 million to expand ID-41 between Post Falls and Rathdrum and upgrade the interchange at Interstate 90.

Crews will apply a sealcoat to the surface of US-95 north of Coeur d’Alene beginning Thursday (June 25). Work is expected to slow traffic as a nine-mile segment between Chilco and the county line is treated.

Traffic will be slowed to 35 mph and restricted to one lane on Thursday, Friday and Monday. Before quitting each day, crews will sweep up loose chips and open all lanes. The speed will still be reduced outside of working hours to prevent windshield damage.

This is part of a larger project to sealcoat 16 miles between Dakota Avenue in Hayden and the county line. The southern portion from Chilco to Dakota Avenue is scheduled to start after the Fourth of July holiday.

Sealcoating, also called chip sealing, protects the surface of the road and extends the lifespan of the pavement. A sticky slurry is sprayed on the road, rock chips are applied on top of the slurry and traffic compresses the chips into place for a long-lasting seal.

Reduced speeds are required on fresh chip seals to prevent loose rocks from flying up, causing potential damage to windshields and vehicles.

This work will be coordinated with construction at the Idaho Highway 53 intersection and various intersections in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden.

With a third construction project scheduled to start on I-90 east of Coeur d’Alene this Monday (June 22), drivers should expect delays on their way to access the river or head south on the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway. These projects will collectively repair several bridges and restore the interstate’s surface, improving safety and the driver experience.

Work to resurface the interstate from Blue Creek Bay to the bottom of the Fourth of July Pass will extend the existing work zone at the bridges over Blue Creek Bay. Include the replacement of the bridge over Pennsylvania Avenue on the edge of town and drivers will encounter miles of orange barrels as they head east.

“Once traffic is crossed over for the bridge repairs at Blue Creek Bay, drivers will stay on that side of the interstate until the end of the paving project at the bottom of the pass,” ITD Project Manager Kyle Schrader said.

Paving near Blue Creek Bay is expected to last for several weeks, and ramps at the Idaho Highway 97 junction will be closed as they are resurfaced. Once construction begins, the eastbound off-ramp will be closed for up to three days, and the eastbound on-ramp will be closed for up to nine days.

“The closest places to turn around will be the Mullan Trail interchange to the west and the interchange at the top of the pass to the east,” Schrader said. “For the smoothest travel plans this summer, drivers should check for construction delays or detours on the 511 app before heading out.”

Download the app by visiting 511.idaho.gov.

Construction on the westbound portion of the project will not begin until work on the Blue Creek Bay bridges switches from the eastbound bridge to the westbound bridge, which is expected in mid-August.

“We will then go through this process again, just in the opposite direction,” Schrader.

June 12

Since Governor Little lifted restrictions on restaurants as part of his economic recovery plan, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will discontinue the temporary permits for food trucks at Idaho rest areas, with the last day for food trucks set as June 12.

Food trucks have been stationed at rest areas since mid-April to offer hot meal services to essential travelers.

“More than 30 permits have been granted since we developed this provisional program,” said Nestor Fernandez, ITD’s Mobility Services Engineer. “Now that hot meals on the road will be easier to find, those permits will expire so that ITD may be in compliance with federal rules.”

In early April the Federal Highway Administration announced it would momentarily relax enforcement of rules that prohibit commercial activity on state-owned, federally-supported right of way like rest areas.

April 16

An emergency exemption by the Idaho Transportation Department will allow permitted food trucks to set up at rest areas and offer hot meals to truck drivers and other travelers.

“We heard truck drivers were having difficulties finding hot meals with the restrictions placed on nonessential businesses during the stay-at-home order,” said Nestor Fernandez, ITD’s Mobility Services Engineer. “Our goal is to support them as best as we can during this pandemic, especially long-haul drivers delivering goods across the U.S.”

ITD worked with the Idaho Trucking Association to identify opportune times for vendors to stage at rest areas as well as the Southern Idaho Food Truck Association to solicit appropriate vendors.

Food trucks will be permitted at rest areas around the state, with up to two vendors allowed at each site. They will not be permitted at rest areas that already offer these services and are under public-private management. Learn more about the temporary program.

“These temporary services are targeted at truck drivers and other essential travelers,” Fernandez said. “We don’t want to attract crowds and will advise permitted vendors to follow healthcare guidelines.”

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration announced it would temporarily relax enforcement of rules that prohibit commercial activity on state-owned, federally-supported right of way like rest areas.

Once the stay-at-home order is lifted in Idaho and restrictions on nonessential businesses are eased, food trucks will no longer be permitted at rest areas.

Drivers can expect delays at several signals on Northwest Boulevard/Ramsey Road as crews upgrade technology early next week.

Crews are expected on site from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. to replace controllers and detection devices. Work will start Monday night (June 8) and could take up to three nights.

The following intersections will receive upgrades: Lakewood Drive, Ironwood Drive, all ramps for Interstate 90 at Northwest Boulevard, Appleway Avenue and Golf Course Road.

Traffic will not be impacted during the day, but at night the signals will go into flash mode and should be treated as four-way stops. Lane closures will be in place at Ironwood Drive on Tuesday night as additional upgrades require that the signal be temporarily turned off.

Upgrades are funded by the city, ignite cda, and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).

“While the state-owned signals shared similar technology and thus were synchronized with each other, they were not compatible with other city-owned signals in the corridor that run on different technology,” City Engineer Chris Bosley said. “With this project, all of the signals will operate on the same technology and provide us with control from our signal shop. Eventually, we will have a coordinated traffic signal corridor from downtown to the prairie.”

Funding for this project came from an agreement that was finalized in 2019. As part of the agreement, the city assumes control of the six existing signals with $175,000 from ITD to upgrade them.

“ITD traditionally manages signals near freeways to ensure that they operate without interruption, but in this case, it made sense to partner with the city and improve traffic flow on the state and local system,” ITD Engineering Manager Marvin Fenn said.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites community input on updated design and construction plans for the Interstate 90 and Idaho Highway 41 interchange via an online meeting at itdprojects.org/i90idaho-41 from today (May 28) to June 18.

“Our two previous open houses drew in 300 people,” ITD Project Manager Shannon Stein said. “We’d like to see that same level of engagement even though it’s online.”

The online meeting features narrated presentations on the interchange project, which includes the nearby intersection at Mullan Avenue. More details on construction, access for those who walk or bike and even an animated video are also available on the site.

“All of the information is online, but we’d like to remind everyone that we are still available via other channels to discuss these changes as well,” Stein said. “This is likely the last time people will have a chance to comment before we go to construction in 2023.”

Comments may be submitted via the website, calling (855) 785-2499, emailing shannon.stein@itd.idaho.gov or sending mail to 600 West Prairie Avenue, CDA, ID 83814 at the attention of Shannon Stein.

Those who do not have the ability to engage online should use the contact information above, and a member of the project team will provide other resources to participate.

A similar online meeting is being held for Idaho Highway 53 near Rathdrum and Hauser until June 8, with information available at itdprojects.org/id53corridor.