Archives: News

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.

Next week there will be a short duration detour for the US-30, N 400 West to Parke Avenue construction project in Burley. This detour will be in place from Sunday (June 14) at 7 am to Monday (June 15) at 7 am.  During this time, access to Bedke Boulevard from US-30 will be closed to through traffic. Motorists will need to use Idaho Highway 27 while crews place new storm sewer lines in the area.

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.