POST FALLS - Speed limits were reduced on a stretch of Interstate 90 near the Greensferry overpass project one day after a man died in an accident there.

The Idaho Transportation Department issued a press release Friday announcing a new 55 mph speed limit in eastbound lanes of I-90 between the Pleasantview exit and the construction zone.

The Idaho State Police is also expected to step up patrols and cite speeders in the area.

ITD began closing one lane of the freeway this week to install a new weigh-in-motion system just east of the Greensferry project, which is being constructed by the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency.

"We had signs posted to slow down 2 miles out," said Reed Hollinshead, a public information officer for ITD. "But people just wouldn't slow down.

"They were coming up to the project at 70 miles per hour and trying to sync up with the slower traffic."

That is what promoted the district engineer to issue a temporary speed limit of 55 mph, while ITD completes its weigh-in-motion project on May 8, Hollinshead said.

It's uncertain if the speed limit will remain at 55 mph through the duration of the Greensferry project.

The slowdown came one day after a fatal motorcycle accident took the life of Ryan Tachell, 18, of Elk, Wash. According to Idaho State Police, Tachell was eastbound on I-90 approaching the construction site, where traffic was thick.

He reportedly lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the median barrier near the Spokane Street exit. He died from his injuries on Friday.

Hours later ITD issued the speed reduction. According to Hollinshead, there have been a total of four accidents related to backed-up traffic in the construction zone.

Some of those occurred prior to ITD's project due to the construction of the overpass.

Hollinshead said the overpass project is not ITD's, and his agency has received no request from the project sponsors to reduce speed limits on I-90.

"That would have to come from the sponsor or J-U-B Engineering, and we have had no requests from either of them," Hollinshead said, adding the project must have an approved traffic control plan.

Brad Marshall, from J-U-B Engineering, said the project does have an improved traffic control plan, but it does not have a requirement to reduce the speed limits in the construction zone.

However, it does have two days of complete closures on I-90 from the Highway 41 exit to the Spokane Street exit coming up next week.

The eastbound lanes of I-90 will be completely closed from 9 p.m. Tuesday night through 6 a.m. Wednesday morning to install bridge girders on the overpass.

The westbound lanes will be closed Wednesday night at 9 p.m. through 6 a.m. Thursday to install the girders on that side of the overpass.

Marshall said the work will be done at night to minimize the impact on traffic. During those times, freeway traffic will be detoured onto Seltice Way between the Highway 41 exit and the Spokane Street exit.

On Thursday the intersection of Greensferry Road and Schneidmiller Avenue will be closed from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. for the placement of girders over Schneidmiller Avenue.

Marshall said he doesn't foresee any more I-90 closures due to the overpass project yet.

The Greensferry overpass is expected to open sometime this fall, he said.