ITD targets local bridges for repair work

Like phases of the moon, construction crews being present on the various North Idaho roads and highways every summer is fairly predictable.

This summer in particular, Idaho Transportation Department Public Information Officer Megan Jahns says that Shoshone County (and the Fourth of July through Cataldo area) roads will mostly be spared this year from the department's work schedule. What is on the docket though is several of the community's bridges- specifically, ones crossing over Interstate 90.

With the first projects tentatively beginning this week, five bridges are slated for repair work which will involve redoing the driving surface and/or resealing it to keep them in service longer.

The local bridges and their expected delay information includes:

• Fourth of July: One lane closed with flaggers from June 4 to June 21 to get the deck sealed.

• Rose Lake: One lane closed with flaggers from June 14 to June 28 to get the deck sealed.

• Tamarack Ridge Road: One lane closed with temporary signals from June 3 to Aug. 4 to get the deck redone.

•Cataldo Mission: One lane closed with temporary signals from May 20 to July 15 to get the deck redone.

•Hill Top Road: Completely closed from May 21 to June 16 to get the deck redone.

Jahns stresses that these dates and closures could be subject to change, depending on certain circumstances.

"Razz Construction will be able to work on several bridges at a time at their own discretion," she said. "Each bridge will take anywhere from two weeks to a month to complete. Sealing treatments are generally quicker, and with the overlays, the concrete will take a few weeks to cure."

The only local in-town road work that is set for this summer is the completion of repairs to the retaining wall and guardrail between the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River and Front Street in Wallace.

In 2020, crews were able to replace the sidewalk and concrete guardrail, as well as make significant progress on the retaining wall.

"However, due to early winter weather, crews will need to return in July and August of 2021 to finish the work on the retaining wall," Jahns said. "The temporary pavement on Front Street will also be replaced with permanent pavement. We’re not sure on the impacts just yet, but likely the same as last year with one lane of alternating traffic."

Depending on any revenue increases given by the Idaho Legislature, there are a few projects scheduled for North Idaho that could get advanced if extra funding were made available. One of those projects could be the job currently programmed for 2024 to resurface I-90 between Wallace and Mullan. This would include mitigation for the rock fall area at MP 66.

Currently planned work on the bridges will cost approximately $3.2 million.

Check 511.idaho.gov for the most up-to-date information on road closures.