U.S. 95 project rounds corner

ATHOL - The U.S. 95 construction project from Garwood to Sagle north of Coeur d'Alene is about to change alignments, meaning the two-year project has rounded another corner.

Traffic between Chilco and Silverwood Theme Park south of Athol will change to a new alignment beginning Thursday, weather permitting, the Idaho Transportation Department announced on Tuesday.

"Crews are finishing roadway connections at both ends of the project area," a press release states.

The project expands and realigns U.S. 95 into a four-lane, divided highway, with interchanges at Chilco and Bunco Road near Silverwood. It is expected to increase traffic safety in the corridor.

Traffic will use the Pope Road frontage road during construction of the new segment.

In addition to the new alignment, motorists also will notice the following changes:

* Chilco Road west will be accessible from U.S. 95;

* the Corbin Hill/Old U.S. 95 access will be closed permanently;

* the Bunco interchange will be open and will be the access point for Corbin Hill and Old U.S. 95;

* the speed limit on U.S. 95 will be 55 mph through the construction area; and

* the speed limit on Pope Road will be 45 mph through the entire length of the new frontage road.

The Chilco interchange still is under construction and will remain closed.

The contractor for the $36 million project is Scarsella Brothers of Spokane. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2013.