SH-53 Pleasant View Interchange set to open MONDAY
Starting 9/28 the following changes will take effect:
- The new Pleasant View Interchange will fully open to traffic.
- Access between Prairie Avenue and SH-53 will permanently close.
- Access between McGuire Road and SH-53 will permanently close.
- The temporary traffic signal at Prairie Avenue and SH-53 will be removed.
- All traffic in the area will use the new interchange to access SH-53 or cross the highway and adjacent BNSF railroad tracks.
Overview
The State Highway 53 and Pleasant View Road Interchange project is designed to make the area safer and more efficient for drivers and freight. A new interchange will replace direct access from several nearby roads, helping to reduce crashes and make it easier to get on and off the highway. This change will also remove three railroad crossings, which means fewer delays and better emergency access.
Construction began in October 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027. The project was made possible through a grant awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration in 2023, with additional support from BNSF Railway and the Post Falls Highway District. This $30 million investment fulfills a long-term vision first identified in the 2006 Bridging the Valley Study to separate vehicle and rail traffic across the region for safety.
Project Plan
Improvements on SH-53 for the project include:
- Constructing a diamond interchange at SH-53 and Pleasant View Road
- Removing access to SH-53 from four side roads: Hauser Lake Road, Hollister Hills Road, Prairie Avenue, and McGuire Road
- Hauser Lake Road – a cul-de-sac will be constructed at the previous connection with SH-53 and tie into Hollister Hills Road at the north side of the new interchange
- Hollister Hills Road – the road will curve from previous connection with SH-53 to tie into the north side of the interchange
- Prairie Avenue – after the Prairie Avenue access to SH-53 is removed, the intersection with Beck Road will be scheduled for reconstruction into a smooth curve
- McGuire Road – a cul-de-sac will be constructed at the previous connection with SH-53
- Shifting SH-53 north to accommodate on- and off-ramps without interfering with the two existing railroad tracks
- Expanding Pleasant View Road to two lanes in each direction through the interchange
- Widening SH-53 to two lanes in each direction with a new center median through the project limits
By eliminating three railroad/vehicle crossings, streamlining access to SH-53, and increasing capacity on key routes, this project will result in several benefits locally and regionally for residents, travelers, businesses, and freight partners:
- Improved efficiency, reliability, and safety in moving freight and people
- Reduced impact of freight movements on the local community, including improved emergency access and reduced noise from railroad/vehicle crossings
Background and Timeline
The SH-53, Pleasant View Road Interchange project was first identified in 2006 as part of the Bridging the Valley Study. The BTV’s goal was to improve safety by separating vehicle and train traffic in the 42-mile corridor between Spokane, Washington, and Athol, Idaho.
The final design for this project was completed in 2015 with input from interested parties and the community. In mid-2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration awarded ITD a grant which made project construction possible now, rather than years in the future. The grant program was created to improve safety at rail crossings in communities across the country to save lives, time, and resources for American families. Additional financial contributions were made by ITD’s partnering organizations: BNSF Railway and Post Falls Highway District. The estimated construction cost of this project is $30 million.
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2006
Project identified through Bridging the Valley Study
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2012
Initial alternative designs shared for public input
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2014
Public hearing to gather feedback on preferred solution
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2015
Final design completed
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2020
Online open house for input on SH-53 corridor planned improvement projects
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2023
Construction funding secured
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2024
Construction began
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2027
Anticipated construction completion in spring
Stay informed!
ITD is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information for drivers to plan extra time to safely pass through the work zone.
Remember to:
Follow on-street signage for side street closures, detour routes, and other construction impacts.
Visit 511.idaho.gov or download the app for statewide traffic information
For questions or comments about this project, please contact the project team at info@sh53corridor.com or (208) 772-1200.
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Resources
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A quick project overview and fact sheet for the SH-53 Pleasant View Interchange project.