Highway projects set to hit high gear

SANDPOINT — It will be hard to escape road construction as a pair of highway projects are both set to hit the next phase.

Work on both the Highway 200 project near Kootenai and the road resurfacing project on the Long Bridge is expected to begin soon. Temporary traffic signals on the Highway 200 project will begin next week and a resurfacing project on the U.S. 95 bridge across Lake Pend Oreille is expected to start by Aug. 19.

The temporary traffic signals will operate 24 hours a day and reduce the roadway to one lane on the project's east end, Heather McDaniel, Idaho Transportation Department public information officer, said.

"The temporary traffic signals are expected to be in place until for approximately two weeks as crews work to construct a new embankment along the south shoulder of the highway and create the space necessary to expand the highway to include a new center turn lane," she said.

The work includes milling down the existing eastbound lane to tie the two roadway surfaces together — the original and the new. Available space for through traffic will be limited to a single lane, warranting the use of temporary signals around the clock, even outside of working hours.

Previously, McDaniel said the roadway has only been reduced to one lane during working hours with traffic returned to its normal configuration during nights and weekends.

During this time drivers should continue to expect delays, especially during peak times of the morning and evening commute.

"Crews remain mindful of congestion and will take all reasonable steps to minimize the amount of delay drivers experience," McDaniel said.

ITD officials said they appreciate the community's support and motorists' patience throughout the process to add a turn-lane to the roadway. The end result will be a "significantly improved corridor to the Kootenai community later this fall," McDaniel said.

Once this phase of the project is complete, McDaniel said both temporary signals will be removed. However, she cautioned that there remains a possibility for intermittent, short-term flagging operations.

The project is on track for completion by mid- to late-October," McDaniel said.

"By mid-September motorists can expect notable improvement in the ease of mobility through the construction zone," she added.

The project is one of two major efforts to improve roadways in the greater Sandpoint area, ITD officials said. The second major project is the next phase of work to improve the Long Bridge's driving surface.

Work could begin as soon as Aug. 12 or as late as Aug. 19 as crews return to the area to continue a resurfacing project on the Long Bridge, McDaniel said.

"Because of the flexibility in the start date, it'd be great (for people to check) the Idaho 511 system where they can find more accurate and updated information on a day-to-day basis," McDaniel said.

The driving surface was ground down earlier this spring to increase traction and make it safer for travel, McDaniel said. The remaining work to resurface the bridge will take place overnight, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. The project is expected to be completed by mid-September.

During the construction, traffic will be reduced to a single, alternating lane with flaggers and pilot cars guiding motorists safely through the work zone.

"Drivers should expect nighttime delays throughout the month and plan ahead," McDaniel said.

ITD crews are expected to place portable digital messaging boards in advance of the start of the project to let drivers know that the work is imminent.

Idaho Transportation Department officials said previously that the work was needed to reinforce and protect the driving surface of the bridge. Crews ground down the existing roadway this spring and are returning to complete the work. When completed, the project will provide better traction and protect the bridge from the regular wear and tear from traffic and the weather, McDaniel said.

McDaniel reminded drivers to slow down in work zones and stay alert to ensure the safety of road construction crews.

Information: 511.idaho.gov