The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is set to begin construction in late June to replace both the east and westbound bridges over the Coeur d’Alene River on Interstate 90 near milepost 40 in Cataldo.
This summer crews will build crossovers and a temporary bridge over the river to allow crews and equipment safe access to the work zone.
Drivers should expect lane reductions with I-90 being reduced to one lane in each direction. There will also be speed reductions and lane width restrictions throughout the work zone.
Traffic will remain separated by the median in 2024.
This 5-mile stretch experiences the highest traffic volumes and congestion of the I-90 corridor. The improvements will widen the interstate with two additional lanes in each direction, replace and widen bridges, realign adjacent pedestrian and bicycle paths and lengthen existing interchange ramps, ITD said in a press release.
“Getting these crossovers built by fall will allow us to hit the ground running next spring with demolition work and allow us to get one of the bridges fully reconstructed to have it open in time for winter,” said, Steve Nettleton, project manager in a press release announcing the construction.
This project will be completed in two phases over the course of three years, with one bridge being fully replaced in 2025 and in the other 2026. The current bridges were built in 1964 and have reached the end of their service lives.
Starting in spring of 2025 both lanes of traffic will be shifted onto the westbound bridge allowing for the demolition and reconstruction of the eastbound structure. All lanes on both bridges will be open for winter travel.
The following spring, in 2026, this process will be repeated. Traffic will shift onto the newly constructed eastbound bridge, allowing for the demolition and replacement of the westbound structure.
Source: Idaho Department of Transportation, Kxly.com
