McArthur Lake project in the home stretch

MCARTHUR LAKE — While construction on the McArthur Lake project is in the home stretch, it isn’t without a dose of pain for area drivers. 

On Monday, long delays from the U.S 95 construction backed northbound traffic to the Samuels store.  

Idaho Transportation Department officials said construction the two-year project is in the home stretch and is at a critical point where work connecting the existing highway with the new bridge is being done ahead of shifting traffic onto the new roadway. 

“Due to the limited width of the project area, recent work has impacted the northbound lane of travel, creating the need for temporary signals to alternate the traffic safely through the work zone.” said Heather McDaniel, ITD public information officer. On Monday, McDaniel said unexpected complications as crews initiated final steps of preparation for paving the new roadway made for extended delays.  

“Although plans were in place to conduct this work with minimal delays, unexpected complications arose that required our team to be flexible in managing impacts to traffic, while also balancing safety and the needs of the project,” McDaniel said. “Unfortunately, this resulted in unusually long delays.” 

Understanding the frustration caused to drivers, McDaniel said crews worked diligently to adjust and get traffic flowing more efficiently. 

“This response, in the face a dynamic situation, allowed the crews to remain on track to begin paving for the remainder of the week,” she added.  

Drivers caught in these delays both called ITD officials and took to social media to voice their frustrations. 

“Send your letters to ITD. An over hour wait is unacceptable,” Buddy Larsen said on a Facebook post.  

McDaniel said there will be an intermittent return of two-way traffic as often as work allows over the next two weeks as well as the removal of the temporary traffic signals at either end of the work zone in mid to late August. 

Scheduled for completion in late October, the project is expected to improve motorist safety and reduce wildlife collisions in the area. McDaniel said ITD officials would like to thank drivers for their understanding in light of Monday’s unexpected delays, and for their “ongoing commitment to the safety of our crews through safe and engaged driving within the work zone.”