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The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host an open house next week in Post Falls to present two design alternatives for the Post Falls area as part of the I-90 corridor study. Preliminary design alternatives include options to increase capacity and mobility in the Post Falls area, while modernizing the interstate’s infrastructure that was originally built in the 1960s and 1970s.

Open House Details

Date: Thursday, October 5

Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center

405 N William St, Post Falls, ID 83854

“ITD received valuable feedback from the public and area stakeholders at our first open house last year. Our team has integrated that feedback into two modified alternative designs that use different approaches to improve congestion, mobility, and safety,” ITD Project Manager Erika Bowen said. “Our goal is to connect with the citizens of Post Falls to discuss these revised options and gather feedback on which alternative or features of the alternatives best improves travel for residents and businesses alike.”

The open house will feature two design alternatives adapted from the designs previously shared for public feedback in November 2022. Feedback collected in this round of public engagement will be used for an ongoing update to the master transportation plan for the city of Post Falls. Until additional funding is identified to complete the remaining analysis from Washington state line to State Highway 41, the corridor study through the Post Falls area will be on hold.

For those not able to attend the open house, an online option will share the same information and be available on October 5 at itdprojects.org/i90corridor. Comments submitted online before October 19 will be considered by the project team.

The I-90 corridor study is funded as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. The program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build. Preliminary estimates value the improvements needed for I-90 between Washington state line and Coeur d’Alene at nearly $1 billion, which includes design, right of way and construction costs.

To stay up to date on the I-90 corridor project, visit itdprojects.org/i90corridor and sign up for email updates.

Tree removal efforts will resume Monday on State Highway 55 between Banks and Horseshoe Bend to make it safer for drivers and improve overall forest health. Travelers should plan for 30-minute delays as crews cut down dead and dying trees on the highway between mileposts 72 and 79.

Crews will be on site each weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the next several weeks. No work will take place on Fridays or weekends.

This phase of tree removal has been contracted with Falling Timber Enterprise, LLC. Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) workers will provide traffic control and clean up the trees.

“We hope to cut down up to 100 trees on SH-55 with this phase,” Operations Field Manager Eric Copeland said. “Impacts will be very similar to the work we completed in this same area in July.”

ITD anticipates preparing another contract in the future to thin trees in the Smiths Ferry area.

Travelers are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for any delays before leaving.

Daytime lane closures are expected to start early Saturday morning on the Perrine Bridge while staff inspect the structure.

The routine inspection may take up to six days to complete, with crews on site each day between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. Only one lane will be closed in one direction at a time. Work will not affect the sidewalks.

“We are starting this work early and on the weekend when there’s less traffic,” Bridge Asset Management Engineer Alan Buehrig said. “We will be using a special truck to inspect areas underneath the bridge and will move back and forth between both sides, so motorists should be prepared for one less lane in either direction, depending where we’re working.”

Drivers should plan for delays by checking 511.idaho.gov as there is already active construction on the bridge. While the inspection will take less than a week, ongoing maintenance is planned through spring 2024.

LEWISTON – Construction on the Clearwater Memorial Bridge will begin on Monday, September 18, and will close two lanes, leaving just one lane open in each direction.

Work over the next two years will widen the lanes, shoulders and sidewalks. Repairs will also bring the bridge up to current weight-rating standards to allow vehicles with heavier and wider loads to safely cross the bridge.

Starting on Monday only the sidewalk on the east side of the bridge will remain open. In early October, both sidewalks on the bridge will then be closed for eight months.

While both sidewalks are closed, a 24/7 shuttle will be available to transport pedestrians and bicyclists from one end of the bridge to the other. Shuttle users can access services at Locomotive Park or Liberty Mart North.

Click here to download additional information on the shuttle.

Travelers are encouraged to use other routes or leave extra time in their commute when congestion may be at its highest.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we enter the construction phase,” Resident Engineer Curtis Arnzen said. “Having a wider, stronger bridge will enhance safety, functionality, and economic opportunity in the region.”

For more information about the project, please visit itdprojects.org/us12memorialbridge/.

Beginning Monday, crews plan to begin a two-week daytime paving operation on U.S. Highway 95 between Labrosse Rd and Eisenhower St in Bonners Ferry.

The most significant impacts are anticipated to be between Sept 18-28 when the continuous paving work will temporarily affect business and side road access while the asphalt mat is laid and cured in front of driveways. This process typically takes one to two hours and alternate access routes will need to be used during these times.

Throughout construction traffic will remain one lane in each direction with flaggers assisting to allow truck access.

This operation will be very dynamic and subject to change to accommodate unforeseen circumstances, but we are doing our best to stay on schedule and minimize traffic impacts. Significant closures, delays or changes will be broadcast via roadside electronic messaging boards staged throughout the work zone. Please pay attention to local signage or refer to Idaho 511 for real-time updates. You may also subscribe to updates on the project website page.

As always, we urge drivers to slow down through work zones and use caution for the safety of all. Drivers should also watch for large trucks entering or exiting the construction site.

We appreciate your patience through this project and look forward to delivering a newly improved roadway to the community with an anticipated construction completion date set for mid-October!