The Idaho Transportation Department has launched its first full season of construction on a four-year, $78 million project at the Interstate 90-state Route 41 interchange in Post Falls.

Bridge construction will be the main focus of the project this year, says ITD project manager Shannon Stein. Crews will work on a temporary bridge on I-90 over SR 41 to maintain traffic flow during construction as well as three permanent structures for eastbound I-90.

Construction will begin later this year on three permanent bridges for westbound I-90, Stein says.

Work also will shift this year to the Seltice Way-state Route 41 intersection south of the freeway and near Central Avenue to include work on a future pedestrian underpass, she adds.

Kent, Washington-based heavy civil contractor Scarsella Bros. Inc. is the contractor on the project.

During construction this year, Stein says, two lanes will be open during the day with reduced shoulders on I-90. Intermittent lane restrictions will be in place on I-90 for some nighttime work.

The interchange project follows a multiyear, $59 million project in which 6.5 miles of state Route 41 was improved between Post Falls and Rathdrum. 

A partial season of construction for the interchange project began in August. Work included placing temporary pavement and barriers to shift traffic, constructing a portion of the new eastbound offramp, and other improvements.

The interchange project is to be completed in the summer of 2025.