Work on the I-90 bridges near Cataldo to begin as early as next week

CATALDO — Starting next week, drivers will be required to slow down and merge into a single lane in each direction as work resumes to reconstruct the Interstate 90 bridges over the Coeur d’Alene River. 

These bridges were first built in 1964 and are ready for replacement after reaching the end of their service life, according to a press release from the Idaho Transportation Department.

All traffic will be shifted to the westbound side of the interstate to allow crews to demolish and reconstruct the eastbound bridge as early as Mid-March. 

Next year, the westbound bridge is scheduled for replacement with traffic shifted to the new eastbound bridge. Work is expected to be completed in late 2026.

River and Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes users will also experience impacts during the 2025 construction season.

Beginning April 1, recreational access and use of the river, including boating, kayaking, tubing, swimming and fishing will be restricted for 500 feet on both sides of the bridges, Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. These restrictions will be in place through June. 

Boat launches outside the work zone will remain available for use, though no one will be able to pass beneath the structure during working hours for safety reasons.

Restrictions are subject to change, or may be lifted, depending on overhead work being done. People can register for email updates or visit the project website for updates about the schedule for river closures.  

Construction will take scheduled breaks during the major summer holidays and access to the river will be available for recreation.

Signs will be posted locally at boat launches and access points that will update users of restrictions or changes throughout the construction process.

During construction Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes users should be aware that there may be intermittent closures as equipment and materials are transported across the trail during day-to-day operations. Flaggers will be present during these closures to ensure safe crossing for crew members, vehicles and trail users. 

Trail users should exercise caution in areas adjacent to the work zone for the possibility of loose dirt or gravel on the trail surface.

This project is one of several that will dot the I-90 corridor from the Washington state line to the Silver Valley in 2025, including expanding the freeway to four lanes between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, upgrading the I-90 State Highway 41 Interchange and repaving from Wolf Lodge to Fourth of July Pass.