Improvements to U.S. 95 begin Monday

SANDPOINT — Construction season is here.

For the next two- to- four days, drivers can expect to come across construction on U.S. 95 near the south end of the Long Bridge beginning on Monday.

Driving delays will be minimal, as two ways of traffic will still be open. But drivers will need to slow down and keep a watchful eye out for road workers.

According to information from Idaho Transportation Department communications officer Megan Jahns, the project is expected to last less than four days.

“This work is a follow up to the acceleration lanes that were added last season. This will be the last of construction for the first phase of that project,” Jahns said Friday.

Information on the next phase of the project will be released some time next week, according to Jahns.

“Altogether we’re looking at about four days of impact. But two of those days when we plan to stripe and paint the road, we will need to have good weather for it. Good weather being dry conditions and a certain temperature. So it probably won’t be four consecutive days.”

Crews will establish turn lanes with new striping on Lakeshore Drive, ITD officials said in 2021. In addition, the existing center turn lane on U.S. 95 will transition to a dedicated turn lane for northbound traffic turning left onto the side street.

The project was among those projects that received funding under House Bill 362. The legislation channeled $80 million in ongoing funding for transportation infrastructure projects statewide, allowing the state to bond for up to $1.6 billion. Idaho Governor Brad Little said previously that the amount is the single largest state investment in transportation infrastructure in the state's history.

Funding was achieved by redirecting a larger share of the existing sales tax to the funds that support transportation projects, state official said.

Further information on upcoming construction projects in the panhandle can be found on the Idaho Transportation Department website at itd.idaho,gov/d1