Wallace School District students who bus to school from the Prichard area are no longer traveling over Dobson Pass.

It was reopened to public travel Aug. 31 after being close due to spring flood damage, but the district's decision to go down the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and onto Interstate 90 didn't have to do with the construction.

The round-trip bus ride takes just about three hours going through Kingston, which is 20 minutes less than it takes to drive Dobson Pass. The bus averages about 36 miles per hour now, and before, just 17 miles per hour.

"When you look at our time, the ability to drive at the speed on the freeway and up the river, it was better time efficiency-wise to go around," said Wallace Superintendent Bob Ranells.

Transportation Director Greg Zupan said the change saves about 10 gallons per day. Increasing maintenance on the buses has increased miles per gallon from about 6.7 to nearly 10.

He said school buses are the safest modes of transportation for the children.

"My bus drivers are very conscientious and professional," Zupan said. "Our load's not replaceable. Our load's precious."

There are four students who make the daily bus ride, and none of them are from Murray this year.