Category: North-Central

Idaho Transportation Department staff joined the Nez Perce Tribe on October 24 to celebrate the near completion of a new interchange at Aht’Wy Plaza on U.S. Highway 95/U.S. Highway 12 near Lewiston.

The interchange started construction in May of 2023 and is expected to open up to traffic later this month.

The tribe took the lead on organizing the event, which included Nez Perce drummers from Lighting Creek, a ceremonial demonstration of Nez Perce horsemanship across the overpass and a prayer from Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chaplain Mary Jane Miles. Transportation Board Member Gary Osborn, ITD District Engineer Doral Hoff and Design Construction Engineer Jesse Webb spoke at the event, along with several guests from the tribe and federal partners.

Many speakers referred to the extensive partnership on the project, which dated back to the 1990s when the tribe first began developing the parcel that now includes the Clearwater River Casino and Lodge, a gas station and RV park. Other improvements were built before the actual interchange, such as the installation of turn bays and lighting, but drivers continued to experience challenges safely accessing the highway from the plaza—seven people died in collisions at the entrances since 1997.

The project team, led by NPT Transportation Manager Mary Beth Clark, JUB Project Manager John Watson and former ITD planner Ken Helm, finished the design in 2019, opting for the diamond style to avoid environmental concerns that had slowed progress on the design for many years.

Construction was initially made possible in September 2020 by $19 million in BUILD grant funding but as ITD and the NPT worked to execute the agreement, again the project encountered challenges—this time in the form of rising costs for essential materials. By April 2022, the tribe and ITD had announced the joint project would be delayed while they applied for additional funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Department of Tribal Transportation Bridge Funding. That gap funding was approved in November 2022, and Knife River Corporation received the bid in spring of 2023 for $24.77 million.

“This project shows what collaboration and perseverance can accomplish,” Hoff said. “The single mindedness of all involved to see this through to its fruition goes to show that we had a solid team, and although there were many hurdles, there were none that couldn’t be overcome.”

The public and media are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Nez Perce Tribe on Thursday, October 24 to mark the completion of the Aht’wy Interchange project. The recently built interchange, located on U.S. Highway 95 adjacent to the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge, is a collaborative effort between various entities, including the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Northwest Region, Federal Highway Administration, and the U.S. Department of the Interior BIA – Division of Transportation.

The Aht’Wy Interchange, the first of its kind for Idaho’s north central region, will enhance safety by accommodating vehicles merging on, off, and across the highway without impeding the primary flow of traffic. The interchange features deceleration and acceleration ramps that connect Aht’Wy Plaza seamlessly to U.S. Highway 95.

“The completion of the Aht’Wy Interchange project has been long awaited to improve traffic safety on the highway in this area. The Nez Perce Tribe, ITD District 2, federal programs, and others can finally see the fruits of their labor after years of dedicated work and collaboration,” stated Mary Beth Clark, Nez Perce Tribe Transportation Manager.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, October 24
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: 17825 Nez Perce Road, Lewiston, ID
(Parking will be available at the Aht’Wy RV Park directly east of the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge. The ceremony will be held outdoors at the northernmost ramp of the interchange.)

The event will include Nez Perce drummers from Lighting Creek, a ceremonial demonstration of Nez Perce horsemanship across the overpass, and a prayer from Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chaplain Mary Jane Miles. Federal, state, county, and local officials associated with the project will then share remarks with the community. The event will close with a ribbon-cutting by project partners to commemorate this historical milestone.

“We appreciate support for this project from the state of Idaho, the Idaho Congressional Delegation, especially Senator Risch, and the communities in this area. Without their support and a commitment by the Tribe to address the safety concerns in this area, this project may not have been possible. We invite all to come be a part of the ribbon-cutting for the completion of this critical section of highway infrastructure in our region,” concluded Clark.

Starting October 15th motorists can expect to see crews at the bottom of the Lewiston Grade on U.S. Highway 95 as they make one of the runaway truck ramps safer.

Southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane for approximately 3 weeks. Commercial vehicles will need to take special note that Ramp 4 is closed. Notifications will be placed on the Lewiston Grade warning drivers of the ramp closure and to use the other 5 emergency escape ramps if necessary.

The entrance to the ramp will be repaved, and up to 1600 feet of new gravel will be placed to bring vehicles to a stop in emergency situations.

The cost for the project is $385,000.

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

Motorists should be advised that State Highway 11 is closed between Headquarters and Hollywood due to a structure fire near Cardiff.

There is no posted detour or estimated time of reopening. To follow and get continual updates about this instance please visit Idaho 511. Access it 24/7 on the web at 511.idaho.gov/, by downloading the free mobile app or by dialing 511 on your phone.