Coeur d'Alene River access impacted by work on I-90 bridges near Cataldo

Construction crews are set to begin work on the Interstate 90 bridges near Cataldo, and outdoor recreation along the Coeur d’Alene River will be affected.  

Crews are installing a temporary bridge across the river. As such, river access will be restricted for 500 feet on both sides. Passage on the river will be closed entirely Monday-Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the remainder of the 2024 construction season. 

“All marine traffic will be directed to the east side of the river until safe passage beneath the temporary bridge is established,” an Idaho Transportation Department press release reads. 

The closures will be lifted in late fall but will be reinstated April to November for 2025 and 2026, after which the project will be complete. Restrictions are also scheduled to be lifted during major summer holidays.  

The project will likely impact businesses in the area, especially those that rely on the river and outdoor recreation. 

Lawrence Sowell, the proprietor of CDA River RV located along the riverfront in Cataldo, said, “The state has done a good job working to satisfy us for about a year.” 

Sowell described the construction as “a double-edged sword” as he expects the bridge project to help his business in the long run despite the temporary disruption.  

“If the bridges need work, then we obviously want [them] to be redone,” Sowell said. 

Though noise from the nearby construction may be less than ideal for visitors, river access near CDA River RV will not be closed. 

ITD will post signs that will alert users to restrictions and changes throughout the construction process.