UPDATE: New hours for resurfacing on Idaho 55 near Cougar Mountain Lodge -- 7 a.m.

VALLEY COUNTY - Crews will work new hours for the remainder of the pavement rehabilitation project on Idaho 55 from Smiths Ferry to Round Valley, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.

The new hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to noon on Friday. No weekend or holiday work is expected. Truck lengths and/or widths will not be restricted.

In addition, work on the Rainbow Bridge, to repair two intermediate posts damaged by an overhanging load in July 2007, will take place starting at noon today (Monday, June 22) and are expected to finish by 7 p.m. Wednesday (June 24).

The extended hours are needed to complete the project on time. The project began June 8 and is expected to be complete by early August.

The project will extend the life of the roadway and create a smoother ride for motorists in this five-mile stretch (milepost 97-102).

The project starts about 500 feet south of Cougar Mountain Lodge. The roadway is a narrow, winding route, and the narrow shoulders and tight curves contribute to an accident rate one and one-half times higher than the statewide average. The project will not include any approaches or any realignment. The roadway travel surfaces on either end of the project have already been addressed.

Within a few days of the completion of this project, the project surface will be seal coated, along with the stretch of roadway north from Round Valley Creek Road to the Clear Creek Lodge which was resurfaced two years ago.

ITD, the Idaho State Police and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.