Initial Step Taken In Interstate Repair

Crews were expected to finish cracking the concrete surface of Interstate 90 early this morning, the first step in repairing rutted pavement between Coeur d’Alene and the Washington state line.

Work is being done Sundays through Fridays during the lighter traffic hours of 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. It’s under way in the eastbound lanes, moving east from the state line.

The concrete surface is being cracked every 18 to 24 inches, using a blunt-edged, guillotine-like blade. The noisy work is ahead of schedule, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. The cracking is followed by wedge milling, in which wedged-shaped pieces of concrete are cut out across the lane in preparation for paving. That creates a temporary bump in the road surface that will be backfilled with asphalt.

Wedge milling is expected to be completed tonight. On Wednesday night, a first layer of asphalt is scheduled to be laid to fill in deeply rutted areas.

Guard rails are being replaced as part of the process.

No work is scheduled this weekend. The speed limit will be restricted to 55 mph through the work zone. Two lanes of traffic, one eastbound and one westbound, will be open at all times.

Once work is completed on the eastbound lanes in July, work will begin on the westbound lanes. Acme Materials and Construction is expected to complete the $5.6 million project by October.