I-90 Interchange Work To Alter Traffic Ramsey Road-Appleway Avenue Intersection To Close For A Month

Lake City residents soon will be forced to avoid a busy intersection as work begins on a new Interstate 90 interchange.

The Idaho Transportation Department will meet Tuesday with the contractor who will build the $10 million interchange for I-90 and Northwest Boulevard.

After Tuesday, the contractor’s first move will be to close the Ramsey RoadAppleway Avenue intersection for a month, said Barbara Babic, spokeswoman for the Transportation Department.

“Ramsey Road will be closed for about a month while they construct that intersection,” Babic said. “They want to get in and get it done so traffic can flow.”

Commuters who travel Ramsey will most likely use U.S. Highway 95 as an alternative, she said.

The state will also build an additional lane for eastbound drivers on I-90 to exit at U.S. Highway 95.

“That (additional off-ramp lane) will be free-flowing to Ironwood (Drive) to help motorists avoid the construction area,” Babic said.

Area roads, such as Northwest Boulevard, Seltice Way and Ironwood Drive, will remain open. However, commuters will see slowdowns and changes as the project continues.

Plans call for building a new seven-lane bridge. The existing structure will be used as crews build the first half of the new bridge. Traffic will then be routed over the new portion while crews demolish the old bridge and finish the new span.

Babic said the project remains on schedule for completion sometime in fall 2001.

Dan Yake, Coeur d’Alene growth services director, said the city is still pushing for the reconstruction of Northwest Boulevard from I-90 to Sherman Avenue.

Yake hopes that the projects can be built at the same time so commuters don’t have to contend with two consecutive traffic slowdowns.

That $5 million project, of which the state will pay half, will include landscaping and widening to beautify the most-used corridor to downtown.

Babic agrees with Coeur d’Alene leaders that it makes sense to construct the interchange and Northwest Boulevard at the same time.

“It would be better if they can dovetail into our traffic control plans,” Babic said. “I know the city is anxious to get that project completed.”