Highway 41 interchange design surfaces
The future Interstate 90 interchange at Highway 41 in Post Falls will be shifted just to the west of its current location. Among the changes is that westbound offramp loop will be eliminated to improve safety and mobility. In addition, all freeway ramps will meet at a single point just north of the interstate. (Rendering courtesy of Idaho Transportation Department)
Stein
Sausser
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — The future Interstate 90 interchange at Highway 41 in Post Falls will be just west of its current location.
The Idaho Transportation Department on Thursday released the selected design of the estimated $39 million overhaul that aims to reduce deadly accidents and improve mobility at one of North Idaho's busiest interchanges.
The interchange, slated to be constructed starting in 2023 and completed in 2024, will be moved just to the west of the existing structure to allow more room for freeway ramps.
"This has been a high-accident interchange that's at capacity," said Shannon Stein, ITD's project manager. "With the projected growth, those issues will become even more pressing."
Major changes the new design features include:
- revising the westbound offramp so it runs parallel to the freeway and eliminates the tight loop that has caused traffic to back up onto I-90 at peak times;
- revising the eastbound offramp so it passes under the freeway and empties onto a future section of Highway 41 instead of Seltice Way;
- shifting the southern tip of Highway 41 at Seltice Way from Ross Point Road near Capone's Pub and Kentucky Fried Chicken to the west at Herborn Place near Verizon;
- having all freeway ramps meet at a single point just north of the interstate; and
- reducing the total signals at the interchange from three to two.
By using one signal rather than two in the heart of the interchange, mobility should be improved, Stein said.
The project also separates traffic on Seltice with that of I-90 and Highway 41.
The design combines elements of two other project proposals that were estimated to cost $31 million and $65 million.
Stein said the selected hybrid was based on feedback from property owners who voiced concerns about impacts to businesses, continued safety hurdles and cost with the other designs. A public open house on the project was held in November and another will be held later this year on a date to be determined.
Stein said it's possible that no businesses or homeowners will be forced to relocate as a result of the project, but there will still be impacts. With the interchange shifting west, for example, it will be closer to a strip of homes on the north side of I-90.
"We've done as much as we can to mitigate the impacts," said Stein, adding that ITD has had meetings with the property owners and will continue to involve them in the project.
According to ITD, there were 297 crashes between 2012 and 2017 on or near the interchange. There were two fatalities and nine people suffered serious injuries.
It's too early say whether I-90 will need to be raised to allow for the eastbound offramp, Highway 41 and the eastbound onramp to run underneath it.
Megan Sausser, ITD spokeswoman, said the interchange is being built for future expansion per the Federal Highway Administration's request.
After construction, the Centennial Trail will likely pass under the interstate. A connection to the neighborhood south of Seltice is also planned.
ITD is collaborating with the city of Post Falls and FHWA on the project.
Federal funding will pay for most of the project, with ITD providing a 7.34 percent match.
Highway 41 from Post Falls to Rathdrum will be widened starting next year and finishing in 2021.
For more information on the interchange project, visit: https://bit.ly/2BbsoIY
You can also contact Stein at 208-772-8013 or: shannon.stein@itd.idaho.gov