I-90 overpass construction will close lanes overnight

Construction of a new overpass on Interstate 90 in Post Falls is already causing traffic slowdowns because of lane restrictions last week.

This week, the contractor on the Greensferry overpass project will place girders for the bridge, which will force a complete closure of freeway lanes during overnight hours Tuesday and Wednesday.

The eastbound lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The westbound lanes will be closed during the same hours Wednesday night.

Drivers will have to use a detour route on Seltice Way from Spokane Street on the west to the Idaho Highway 41 interchange on the east.

Also, girder placement will force closure of the intersection of Greensferry Road and Schneidmiller Avenue from 6 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday.

The project, which began last fall, is placing a freeway overpass at Greensferry Road. The new overpass will include a center turn lane, bicycle lanes and sidewalks. The sidewalks will connect with the Centennial Trail of North Idaho.

Engineers for the project said the overpass will improve community connectivity and mobility and provide for faster emergency responses.

Funding for the $17 million project is from the East Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency. Ralph L. Wadsworth is the main contractor. Local property taxes are financing the project with $5 million in cash from taxes already collected and $12 million from a loan, including interest payments.

The Greensferry overpass is one of three street projects in the district. The others are a $1.7 million extension of Spencer Street to connect with the south side of Seltice Way and an improved bike and pedestrian trail on the east side of Highway 41 from Seltice Way to Mullan Avenue.

DOT wants input on LED markers

Last fall, the Washington state Department of Transportation installed more than 4,600 solar-powered diode lights to help illuminate shoulders, lane lines and barriers on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass.

The light-emitting diode markers are part of a pilot project to improve visibility and safety over the pass, the DOT said in a news release Friday.

Now, the agency wants drivers to tell them what they think about the new lighting system.

“We know we need something on the pass that can handle the harsh weather conditions that gives drivers the ability to see the lane stripes,” said Troy Suing, assistant regional administrator for the DOT.

Drivers are asked to fill out survey questions at surveymonkey.com/s/I90visibility2.

Expect I-90 delays east of Snoqualmie

Work on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass will cause some traffic delays this week, according to the DOT.

Shoulder areas in the construction zone along Keechelus Lake will be closed in both directions.

Crews also will enforce rolling slowdowns during daytime hours so construction workers can enter freeway lanes without the risk of being hit.

The state is in the midst of a multiyear effort to widen I-90 and improve its safety from Hyak on the west to the Cabin Creek interchange near the top of the Easton Hill.

So far, the state has budgeted $551 million for the work, but some of the later stages of construction are not yet funded.

To the east, lane closures are expected Wednesday and Thursday from mileposts 71 to 80.

Traffic, safety projects in Spokane

In Spokane, curb and sidewalk installations will force closure of parts of the intersection of Government Way and Fort George Wright Drive west of Spokane Falls Community College through April 30.

One eastbound lane on Fort George Wright Drive will be closed.

Projects to improve neighborhood traffic safety are occurring on Jackson Avenue from Perry to Columbus streets and on D Street from 17th to 19th avenues adjacent to a city park. A new high-intensity crossing light is being installed on Grand Boulevard at 18th Avenue to serve Manito Park.

Lane, road closures around the Valley

In Spokane Valley, Fourth Avenue from McDonald to Blake roads is closed through 5 p.m. today for pavement patching. The closure started last week.

Also, the intersection of Fourth and Blake will be closed today through 5 p.m. Wednesday for pavement patching. Sprague Avenue will provide a detour route.

Dishman-Mica Road at 29th Avenue will have a northbound lane closure from 1 to 3 p.m. today.

The 10400 block of East 28th Avenue will only have one lane open from 3 to 5 p.m. today.

University Road at Appleway continues to have a lane closure through Friday for work on the new Appleway Trail.

Also, 12th Avenue between Houk and Vercler roads will be closed to all but local traffic through 6 p.m. Wednesday.