Projects

COMPLETE: SH-53 Rathdrum turn lanes

SH-53 in Rathdrum was widened with new turn lanes and sidewalks to improve safety and reduce congestion between City Park and SH-41.

COMPLETE: SH-53 Rathdrum turn lanes

SH-53 in Rathdrum was widened with new turn lanes and sidewalks to improve safety and reduce congestion between City Park and SH-41.

Overview

The State Highway 53 corridor has undergone significant improvements to enhance safety and traffic flow. In 2024, the highway was widened between Rathdrum City Park and Sylte Ranch Road, with new sidewalks, a continuous center-turn lane, and a designated right-turn lane at Bingham Street-all designed to reduce congestion and improve mobility for local drivers. Construction resumed in March 2025 near the SH-41 intersection to add a second northbound through lane. This addition will help ease traffic backups by allowing more vehicles to pass through during green lights, while maintaining a dedicated right-turn lane for bridge access.

Additional northbound through lane on SH-53 at SH-41

Map showing how the new additional turn lane on SH-53 will function.

The project included construction of an additional northbound through lane on SH-53 so that two lanes of traffic are able to move north through the intersection during green cycles. The additional lane is intended to help reduce the length of queued vehicles and improve mobility in the area. After construction, SH-53 will still have a dedicated right-turn lane for vehicles wishing to travel over the bridge.


Work on this section of the highway was completed in mid-May of 2025.

Corridor Plans

A series of upcoming projects will widen and reconstruct SH-53 between the state line and Rathdrum. The interchange at Pleasant View was planned to start construction in 2028 but with the awarding of a new grant started in fall 2024. A project to modify four miles between Bruss Road and Latah Street by adding a center turn lane is planned to start construction in 2029.

Widening the highway will improve safety for turning drivers. Corridor improvements total more than $40 million.

Community Involvement

A public meeting held in 2021 informed the community of several project designs along the SH-53 corridor between Rathdrum and the Washington state line.

Contact the project team

For questions or comments about this project, please contact the project team at info@sh53corridor.com or (208) 772-1200. 

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