The Idaho Transportation Department announced that the eastbound Interstate 90 on-ramp from Highway 41 in Post Falls will close starting Friday at approximately 8 p.m. The ramp is scheduled to reopen on October 9.
ITD stated the closure is necessary to prepare the west side of the widening project for a shift that moves westbound lanes to the south side of the interstate. While the eastbound on-ramp closes, the westbound I-90 on-ramp and both off-ramps connected to State Highway 41 will remain open.
Eastbound drivers will face lane reductions from 8 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Saturday. Motorists are being diverted west on Seltice Way to access the neighboring eastbound I-90 on-ramp near the Seltice Way bridge during this period.
Paving and Trail Closures Follow
Following the ramp closure, ITD plans to close the Prairie Trail beneath I-90 starting October 12. The trail will be shut for one week to allow for demolition work on the westbound interstate bridge.
Tentative schedules indicate that paving operations on I-90 between U.S. Highway 95 and Northwest Boulevard will begin on October 16. During this phase, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in both directions, day and night, through October 18.
Long-Term Traffic Shifts
A major configuration change is targeted for October 20, when both lanes of westbound I-90 are scheduled to shift to the south side of the freeway. ITD expects this lane shift to remain in place for approximately one year.
The traffic shift will trigger additional closures. Huetter Road beneath the interstate is expected to close for up to two weeks following the October 20 change. Additionally, overnight closures of the westbound SH-41 off-ramp are required for several weeks after the traffic shift occurs.
Project Scope and Funding
The I-90 widening project spans the corridor between SH-41 and US-95. ITD projects the work will continue through 2029. The expansion aims to widen the interstate to four lanes in each direction.
The total cost of the project is projected at $200 million. Funding is primarily drawn from Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds. The initiative is part of Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho program.
Project Manager James Dorman acknowledged the disruptions caused by the construction schedule. “We know there’s a lot happening on I-90 right now, and we truly appreciate drivers’ patience and understanding as we make progress on this major expansion project,” Dorman said.
Dorman emphasized that adhering to the timeline is critical for fiscal responsibility and safety outcomes. “The widening project is moving quickly, and every step has a purpose. Staying on schedule is how we keep the project on time and on budget, and ultimately deliver a safer, more efficient interstate in the future.”