RATHDRUM, Idaho — Rathdrum drivers should prepare for a summer full of road construction projects and inevitable traffic delays.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is working on several road construction projects in the city of Rathdrum and along State Highway 53, including widening the highway and replacing existing sidewalks. The construction is expected to last through fall 2024 and will impact road conditions beginning next week.
“In the next week, we plan to stripe the temporary lanes we built on the north side earlier this spring and shift traffic onto them,” Project Manager Steven Bakker said. “This will mean we can keep one lane open in each direction this year. Our goal is to get it done before the rain this weekend, but if it doesn’t happen tomorrow it’ll happen early next week.”
According to ITD, a continuous center turn lane and a designated right turn lane will be added between Rathdrum City Park and Sylte Ranch Road. This will give drivers access to Bingham street, keep traffic moving and provide a safe space to turn.
Mill Street will also be closed for as long as four weeks as crews work to widen that section of SH-53, according to the department.
ITD said drivers should also expect the following conditions while construction is going on:
- One lane of traffic in each direction on SH-53 from early April through completion
- Pedestrian access maintained through the work zone
- Speed limit reduced to 25 mph
- Short-term closures of side streets
- Reduced parking along SH-53
- Narrowed lanes
“Our goal is to minimize impacts to local businesses and drivers,” Bakker said. “We are working to keep traffic flowing, while ultimately constructing a safer corridor for all users.”
Updates on the projects can be found here.
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