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The Idaho Transportation Department will host an open house next week in Coeur d’Alene to present designs to modernize I-90 between State Highway 41 and 15^th Street. Plans are funded by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative and include adding lanes to increase capacity on I-90 and modernizing infrastructure like interchanges that were originally built with the interstate in the 1960s and 1970s.

Details for the open house:

Date: Tuesday, August 22

Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn

506 West Appleway Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

The open house will feature designs from two projects: the overarching corridor study that will determine what the scope of improvements are between SH-41 and 15^th Street and the design for widening I-90 from SH-41 to U.S. Highway 95.

For those not able to attend the open house, an online option will share the same information and be available on August 22 at itdprojects.org/i90corridor. Comments submitted online before September 5 will be considered by the project team.

“Throughout the study, we have heard repeatedly that we need to make I-90 safer and more reliable by increasing capacity to address congestion,” Project Manager Erika Bowen said. “With a nearly 16-mile corridor to improve, we are moving forward with the study in the Coeur d’Alene area while simultaneously advancing the most congested section between SH-41 and US-95 to final design. This model of breaking the corridor into smaller projects will help to improve travel for residents where it is needed most, while we complete design plans and obtain funding for the rest of the corridor.”

The open house will feature both information on the larger corridor study and design plans to widen the most congested section between SH-41 and US-95. The design project is the first project to come out of the concurrent I-90 corridor study and is anticipated to begin construction in 2024.

The open house will not provide updates on other sections of the study, including the Post Falls area. With limited funding identified for the corridor, projects will be prioritized for design and construction based on traffic analysis and project readiness. Corridor-wide improvements are anticipated to take 10 to 20 years to build.

The I-90 corridor study is funded by 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.

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin a resurfacing project August 10 that will last through the end of September on Interstate 15/U.S. Highway 26 from Sunnyside Road to Lomax Street in Idaho Falls.

Crews will first mill or grind down the upper layer of the existing asphalt to remove any cracks, ruts, and imperfections. They will then place a layer of asphalt on top of the milled surface to fill any holes and make a smooth surface. This will help extend the lifespan of the road.

During construction traffic will always remain on a paved surface, and pedestrians will always be able to pass through the work zone.

Work will begin each night at 8 p.m. and last until 6 a.m. Lane restrictions will be in place along with flaggers during work hours. All signals may be off at times throughout construction. Drivers should follow directions from flaggers or treat a red flashing signal as an all-way stop.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin repaving on US Highway 20 through Island Park on August 14 and is expected to last until late September.

Repaving will take place on the 17.6 mile stretch of US-20 from Pine Haven Drive North to Island Park Lodge between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The roadway will be reduced to one lane in alternating shifts to allow traffic flow. During this time there will be flaggers on the road as well as a pilot car to lead traffic approximately two and a half miles each shift. This will continue until the project is completed in late September.

Repaving is important to maintaining the roadways. Heavy traffic takes a toll on both concrete and asphalt, producing ruts and surface generated cracks. Road resurfacing increases the safety of our roadways and contributes to longevity and clarity of road markings.

Drivers are encouraged to obey traffic laws, traffic signs, and construction signs while traveling through work zones.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

Repaving has been rescheduled to start next week due to equipment availability. Drivers should pay attention to road signage or check 511 for exact timing of impacts.

This week maintenance workers with the Idaho Transportation Department will resurface part of I-84 between Eisenman Road (Exit 59A) and Blacks Creek Road (Exit 64).

Crews will repave the worst sections of the slow lane heading eastbound. Once repairs begin tomorrow near Eisenman Road, the eastbound on-ramp and one lane on I-84 will be closed. The ramp closure is expected to last one day, though work will continue on I-84 for up to three days. Workers will time repairs to avoid morning and evening commutes.

Westbound travelers will not be affected. Access to the Blacks Creek Rest Area will remain mostly open, save for a few hours tomorrow.

Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.