The state highway landscape in North Idaho is taking on a different look with projects continuing this fall.

Two U.S. 95 projects from Garwood to Sagle will widen the highway from two lanes to four.

"(Both) segments are expected to be complete by fall 2013," said Barbara Babic, Idaho Transportation Department spokeswoman.

The $35.9 million, 6.5-mile widening project from Chilco to Silverwood Theme Park will also add interchanges at Chilco and Bunco roads, a frontage road on the east side of U.S. 95 in the entire stretch and 1.5 miles of frontage road on the west side.

All the current work is focused on the east frontage road. Clearing crews have completed work up to Bunco Road.

The $21 million, 5-mile widening project in the Athol and Granite areas will include an interchange at Highway 54 in Athol. Trees have been cleared at the south end of the Athol interchange structure location, and utility work is under way.

A third U.S. 95 project north of Hayden, which costs $2.5 million, creates a frontage road from Boekel to Ohio Match roads.

Sub-grade work between Wyoming Avenue and Highway 53 is done and the section between Garwood and Ohio Match roads is nearing completion for the sub-grade portion.

Babic said all of the new frontage roads in the corridor will be permanent roads.

"Access to 95 will be via interchanges," she said. "The frontage roads will connect and provide access to the interchanges for local traffic."

Ron Harvey of ITD said the state has acquired all of the right of way necessary for construction to continue in the entire corridor. However, mediation talks regarding some parcels in the Athol area involving developer Hughes Investments are ongoing.

"Very rarely does it go to jury trial," said Harvey, adding that has only happened once in North Idaho in the past 20 years.

Meanwhile, two other major state highway projects in North Idaho - the $98 million Sand Creek Byway at Sandpoint and the $23 million Dover Bridge replacement on U.S. 2 - continue.

"We should be able to place traffic on the byway alignment by the end of next month if the weather cooperates," Babic said.

Work is complete for the structures with the exception of the expansion joints. Paving on the south end is complete and has been striped. The rest of the project is being paved as weather permits.

Three contractors have visited the Dover Bridge to provide estimates for the rock slope stabilization. Paving operations will resume after base material is placed, pending weather and temperature conditions. Completion is expected for fall 2012.