Additional turn lanes and a reconstructed roadway base will improve safety and mobility.
UPDATE
This project was previously funded for construction in 2030. As a result of recent changes in transportation funding, this project is recommended to have its funding removed to prioritize other projects necessary to the operation and preservation of the transportation network.
Overview
The State Highway 53 Washington State Line to Hauser Lake Road project is one segment of a larger, long-term effort to improve safety and traffic operations along the SH-53 corridor between the Washington state line and Rathdrum.
This project focuses on upgrading this section of highway to align with the corridor's ultimate design: a continuous two-lane roadway with a center turn lane, along with targeted intersection improvements such as dedicated turn lanes, lighting, and other safety features based on crash history and traffic analysis.
Overall, SH-53 corridor improvements are planned to be constructed in phases, with the highway divided into manageable sections that can be built over time. Several segments have already been completed -such as Sylte Road to Latah Street through Rathdrum, and sections near the Pleasant View Interchange- while others, including this project, are planned for future construction. When finished, the full corridor will provide more consistent roadway design, improved access, and safer travel for all users.
Together, and shaped through input from previous public involvement efforts in 2020, these phased improvements represent an investment of more than $60 million to support safer and more efficient travel through the region.
Overview video from previous public outreach in 2020 for the overall SH-53 Corridor improvement plan.