No time like the present… for road work
This photo shows the work that was completed on Kellogg's eastbound Division Street overpass during the 2022 construction season. The westbound half of the project has begun and will be completed this year. The speed limits through this construction area and another one just eight miles to the east have come under scrutiny by Shoshone County's leadership, but ITD officials will not be adjusting the speeds.
Photo courtesy of IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
KELLOGG — It’s never too early for road construction in North Idaho.
Last week, many local drivers may have noticed the reappearance of several speed signs on Interstate 90 spanning from just west of Kellogg all the way to Elk Creek.
On Monday morning, crews with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) began the first tasks associated with the second part of a two-year project to improve the I-90 overpasses at Division Street and Elizabeth Park.
According to ITD Communications Manager Megan Jahns, crews will first complete work to improve drainage throughout the work zone. After several weeks, crews will move on to replacing the westbound bridges, including full demolition and reconstruction. The final construction activities will include repaving both streets under the overpasses.
Just like much of 2022, traffic on I-90 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction at all times from now until October, as well as reduced speeds throughout the construction zone.
Local drivers should be aware that during the construction period, both lanes beneath the Division Street overpass will experience periodic closures, but will remain largely open.
On-street parking below the overpass will not be allowed, and the sidewalks will be closed — there will be a signed pedestrian detour.
For those using Elizabeth Park Road below the I-90 overpass, drivers can expect one-way alternating traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals.
In addition to the daily construction schedule, Elizabeth Park Road will be closed for several nights as crews complete work. Digital message boards will provide warnings at least one week prior to any road closures.
The first half of this project was completed during 2022 as both of the 60-year-old eastbound overpasses were demolished and rebuilt — widening the overpasses and making them safer for drivers.
For up-to-date information on this project, please visit itdprojects.org/i90divisionelizabeth.
Kellogg won’t be the only place where I-90 will be worked on this year — Jahns explained that projects will begin in the Osburn and Wallace areas later this spring.
“Over the next two years, ITD will resurface I-90 from the Big Creek Exit to West Wallace Exit,” Jahns said. “This year crews will replace concrete with asphalt between Osburn and Wallace, and next year they will work between Big Creek and Wallace. Drivers can expect one lane closure in each direction on I-90 at all times during each construction season.”
Travelers should check 511.idaho.gov to learn about traffic impacts.