5/29/2009
Motorists can expect delays on Idaho 57 when paving project begins Monday (June 1)
COEUR d'ALENE -- Motorists likely will experience traffic delays on Idaho 57 beginning Monday (June 1) when crews begin a much-needed paving project at Priest River, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The project will rehabilitate 19 miles of the highway.
Contractors crews will begin at the junction of U.S 2/Idaho 57 and continue north. The old pavement surface will be removed, ground up, mixed with cement and recycled as a base for the highway. A chip seal will be applied over the newly-formed roadway base. A full-width asphalt overlay will finalize the paving operation later this summer.
Crews will work Mondays through Fridays, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes as traffic is reduced to one lane. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide traffic through the work zone area.
Interstate Concrete and Asphalt, of Coeur d'Alene, is the contractor for the $5.9 million project. Work is expected to be completed later this fall.
ITD and the Idaho State Police warn 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 construction information on the state highway or interstate system.