US-95 paving north of Riggins underway

Picture of US-95 with a bright orange graphic sign that reads "Road Work Ahead."

Roadside milling and paving operations are underway on U.S. Highway 95 between Riggins and Race Creek Bridge. The paving is the final touch up work as part of the rockfall stabilization project last fall.

Travelers can expect flaggers and intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. During working hours the highway will be reduced to a single lane with alternating directions of travel. Slower speeds are encouraged for safety. Extra vigilance is advised as space may be limited in this river corridor. Construction is anticipated to complete this Friday.

The cost for the project is about $1.6 million.

Live traffic impacts across the region can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

US-95 highway improvement work resumes, slated to finish 2025

Construction on the new U.S. Highway 95 four-lane segment between Moscow and Thorn Creek Road will resume this week. Drivers can expect to have one lane in each direction and slow down to 45 miles per hour in work zones mainly near Reisenhauer Hill until construction of five miles on the north end of the project is ready to accept traffic this summer.

Last year crews constructed nearly five of the six miles. They will now focus on paving the new alignment, building two bridges over Thorn Creek and connecting the new roadway to existing US-95. Construction on Thorn Creek bridges will continue in the fall.

The existing US-95 roadway will temporarily close at Reisenauer Hill in the summer as ITD switches traffic over to the new alignment. At that time, Latah County will assume ownership of the old route and plans to use funds from the Thorn Creek project to repave and reopen it.

“We have been running on all cylinders to deliver this vital safety project for our region,” District Engineer Doral Hoff said. “M.A. DeAtley Construction, Inc. and their teams are also eager to transform US-95 to four lanes so motorists can experience increased capacity for mobility and improved geometry for safety. We are appreciative of the public’s patience during this construction effort.”

Portions of this project are funded as part of Idaho Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho transportation funding initiative. The Leading Idaho money allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to advance large projects that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy and positively impact communities across the state for years to come.

Travelers are reminded to check for live traffic impacts across the region including this one by visiting 511.idaho.gov, dialing 5-1-1 or downloading the app.

Click here to see a map of the construction.

Drivers urged to use US-95 Aht’Wy Interchange for safety

The Nez Perce Tribal Police, with the support of the Idaho State Police (ISP) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), are urging drivers to follow posted signage and use the Aht’Wy Interchange on U.S. Highway 95 near the Clearwater River Casino and Lodge. Motorists who disregard road closures and traffic signs create dangerous situations that could lead to serious crashes and fatalities.

Since the interchange was opened at the eastern entrance and access at the western entrance was modified, all agencies have observed unsafe behavior. Eastbound drivers on US-95 have been seen illegally crossing the unpaved median to turn left into the access near the Nez Perce Express gas station, rather than traveling a half mile further to use the interchange. Some have even waited in oncoming traffic to make the prohibited turn, risking head-on crashes.

In response, ITD has increased signage and added barriers to further deter travelers from making this movement while soliciting the support of law enforcement.

“Drivers must pay attention to posted signage and recognize that this is a change,” said Nez Perce Tribal Chief of Police Mark Bensen. “While adjustments take time, using the interchange correctly is essential for everyone’s safety. This solution is designed to be safer for all drivers and reduce the risk of serious crashes.”

The western access to Aht’Wy Plaza near the gas station is one way and does not allow left turns of any kind. Drivers looking to turn left into the plaza or to exit the gas station should use the interchange.

Proper Use of the Aht’Wy Interchange

Entering

Take the Nez Perce Drive exit off the highway.
Slow down and stop at the intersection.
Turn onto Nez Perce Drive to access Aht’Wy Plaza.

Exiting

Follow signs on Nez Perce Drive back toward the interchange.
Use the appropriate exit ramp for Lewiston or Orofino.
Accelerate down the ramp to highway level and safely merge with US-95 traffic.

ISP troopers continue to monitor compliance and emphasize that changes in driver behavior are necessary to prevent further incidents.

“Too many motorists are ignoring traffic control measures and creating serious risks to other drivers,” said ISP Lieutenant Ken Yount. “We will continue having a presence in the area to ensure compliance and improve safety.”

The interchange is part of a significant engineering initiative to enhance traffic safety and reduce collisions in an area historically prone to fatal accidents.

“This interchange was carefully designed and implemented to improve traffic flow and minimize conflict points, ultimately reducing the potential for severe crashes,” said ITD District 2 Engineer Doral Hoff. “These changes prioritize safety and efficiency for all drivers, and we strongly encourage motorists to use the interchange as intended to prevent further tragedies.”

A downloadable map is available to help drivers better understand the interchange and ensure safe travel.

For more information, please contact the Nez Perce Tribal Police, ISP, or ITD.

ITD to host open house on Jan. 29 for potential changes to US-95 near Riggins

The Idaho Transportation Department will host an open house to discuss and gather feedback on potential changes to U.S. Highway 95 between the Rapid River Bridge and Riggins. The review process aims to enhance safety and reduce crashes.

The in-person open house is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. MST at the Riggins Community Center at 121 Lodge Street. Community members are encouraged to drop by anytime to learn about the project, share input, and ask questions directly with ITD representatives and project team members.

For those unable to attend, ITD will also host an online meeting from Jan. 29 to Feb. 12 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/95-rapidrivertoriggins. The online meeting will include the same information shared at the open house and offer an opportunity to submit comments and questions.

“Community feedback is essential to ensuring this project meets local needs,” ITD Project Manager Jole Wells said. “By enhancing safety and reducing crashes, we aim to improve travel for everyone using this corridor.”

For more information, visit the project website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/95-rapidrivertoriggins.

US-95 rock scaling near Riggins is winding down

By January, motorists can expect rock scaling on U.S. Highway 95 between Riggins and the Time Zone Bridge to conclude. Work began in early October to remove loose rock and install anchors to stabilize the hillside above the highway.

Motorists can continue to expect delays up to 30 minutes for safety while work is conducted above the highway. However, work is on track to stop on December 22 to avoid delaying holiday travelers.

The contractor will be back to the project site for a few weeks in the spring to repave US-95 where it was damaged during scaling.

Live traffic impacts such as lane closures and other work can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 5-1-1 or download the app.

UPDATE January 2025: ITD will monitor a tension crack at milepost 189 throughout the winter. Read those most recent developments at this news article.

SH-64 now open after months of repairs following April landslides

View of State Highway 64 taken from above.

Repairs on State Highway 64 are complete, and the road between Nez Perce and Kamiah reopened this morning. The highway has remained closed since April 14 after a major storm event caused multiple washouts and structural damage.

“The Idaho Transportation Department and our consultant partners have been working hard to repair and reinforce the highway so that it could be safely reopened this year,” District Engineer Doral Hoff said. “I would like to thank the public for their understanding and patience during the construction.”

The emergency repairs included installation of retaining walls, rebuilding the road base, and paving. Approximately 12 slide locations between milepost 24 and 30 were rebuilt.

For more information, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us-64-emergency-repair-project.

US-95 Sheep Creek Rest Area closed due to debris

https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024126-US-95-Sheep-Creek-Rest-area-vehicle-fire-wreckage.jpg

The Idaho Transportation Department has closed the Sheep Creek Rest Area on U.S. Highway 95 south of Riggins due to debris and spilled materials from a vehicle fire last night.

The rest area will remain closed until specialists can be contracted to remove an estimated 60 to 80 gallons of oil and engine fluids, which could take up to several days.

“We are closing the rest area to keep traffic from tracking the spilled materials onto the highway and creating slick road conditions,” Engineering Manager Bob Schumacher said. “Our buildings appear undamaged. We will reopen the rest area after completing assessments.”

The closest rest area for southbound travelers would be near Council and for northbound travelers near Winchester. Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov for updates on this closure.

US-12 Clearwater Memorial Bridge fully opens

Picture of the finished deck on the Clearwater Memorial Bridge in Lewiston.

Starting Wednesday morning the Clearwater Memorial Bridge on U.S. Highway 12 will be fully open. The newly constructed west side of the bridge is now complete and ready to accept both traffic and pedestrians.

Travelers can now use wider travel lanes, shoulders, median and sidewalks. In addition, with the new bridge up to current standards, there are no longer reduced weight restrictions for heavy loads.

A deck seal and additional light construction is slated for early summer 2025 to finalize repairs to this 1951 structure.

Construction began in 2023 for an estimated cost of $38.3 million and was federally funded. For more information about the project please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us12memorialbridge.

New US-95 Aht’Wy Plaza Interchange opens

Picture of the Aht'Wy Plaza interchange from above looking towards the east.

Starting Saturday, motorists will officially be able to use the new interchange on U.S. Highway 95 to safely access Aht’Wy Plaza.

“This interchange is an outstanding solution for enhancing safety, and I am so excited to see it in action soon,” ITD Project Manager Zach Feist said. “I believe many Idahoans will not only feel safer but will experience improved mobility when traveling through the area.”

Work at the west entrance near the Nez Perce Express will continue. Starting this Saturday, that entrance will be fully closed with traffic on US-95 slowed to 45 mph and reduced to one lane in each direction. This closure will allow workers to modify the intersection to allow northbound travelers to turn right off the highway into the plaza. After that work is complete in mid-December, drivers will not be able to access US-95 from the western entrance at all and will need to use the new interchange to get back on the highway.

Construction started in May 2023.

To help motorists better understand how this interchange works, a map is available here for download.

US-95 new highway segment wraps up for winter, on track to finish in 2025

Work on the new four-lane segment of U.S. Highway 95 between Moscow and Thorn Creek Road will continue as planned into 2025, opening to traffic by the end of that year. Speed restrictions of 45 miles per hour remain in some areas on the existing US-95 as drivers travel near the project through the winter.

While crews have constructed 4.8 miles of the new six-mile highway project including two large bridges over Eid Road since work began in 2022, wetland bridge and retaining wall work is needed on the south end while pavement construction is planned on both connections next year.

The paving operation production rate of the contractor was good this summer but not to the extent ready to consider a partial opening for traffic use.

“Overall, I am impressed with M.A. DeAtley Construction, Inc. and their teams working with ITD on this safety project, helping to expedite restarting the work since we received our new Army Corps permit update in 2023,” District Engineer Doral Hoff said.

Travelers are reminded to check for live traffic impacts across the region including this one by visiting 511.idaho.gov, dialing 5-1-1 or downloading the app.