Two closures of major Rathdrum Prairie roads will result in traffic impacts next week.

The Post Falls Highway District is having resurface work done on Prairie Avenue from Highway 41 to Meyer and on Lancaster Road from Highway 41 to Meyer. The 24-hour closures of the roads will start at 5 a.m. on Monday and last until Saturday, Aug. 1.

Traffic will be limited to those who live in those areas. Hayden Avenue will be the detour for both projects being performed by Poe Asphalt.

"Hayden will be busier than normal, but it can handle it," said Lynn Humphreys, highway district chairman.

The Prairie Avenue project is not part of ongoing efforts to widen the busy road, but to resurface it so it can handle heavy traffic.

"We're still in the process to obtain federal funding to widen that portion to five lanes," Humphreys said. "We're trying to make it so there's no load restrictions on Prairie during spring breakup time. The thick overlay will be able to handle truck traffic year-round. In the past, we've had to have restrictions during certain times of the year. This will allow the road to not be restricted at all."

The highway district is partnering with the city of Post Falls on the Prairie Avenue project since it's in the area of city impact. Earlier, the city of Rathdrum had a portion of Lancaster improved in its area of city impact.

The combined cost of both projects is $210,000 with Post Falls paying $55,000 for its share of the Prairie project. The Prairie project is about a mile long, while the Lancaster project is about a half-mile.

Humphreys said the highway district realizes the projects will present inconveniences to motorists, but it hopes drivers will be patient, safe and realize the long-term benefits.

"This is one week of inconvenience for the traveling public that will benefit it in the long run," he said.

Other road improvement projects

Poe Asphalt will be chip-sealing some Post Falls streets from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through July 30, weather permitting.

Here is the tentative schedule:

* Monday - Poleline from Chase to Spokane and from Spokane to Idaho; Seltice Way from McGuire to Chase

* Tuesday - Stagecoach from Poleline to Pioneer Ridge; 17th from Spokane to Compton; Catherine from 17th to 19th; Lucas and 23rd from 21st to Henry

* Wednesday, July 29 - Second from Scott to Greensferry; First from Scott to Greensferry; Park from Scott to Greensferry; Plaza from Handy to Greensferry

* Thursday, July 30 - Riverside Harbor Drive

Meanwhile, a 6-mile section of U.S. 95 through Athol in the Garwood-to-Sagle corridor will be chip-sealed from Wednesday, July 29 through Friday, Aug. 31.

Work from mileposts 447 to 453 will occur in the northbound lanes first, then crews will switch to the southbound lanes. Speeds will be reduced to 45 mph through the work zone, with flaggers and pilot cars on hand to guide traffic.

Crews also will seal coat a 1.5-mile stretch of Highway 54 from just west of the Blair Castle Road intersection to the intersection of Howard Road and Highway 54. Work will progress from eastbound to westbound.