Two highway projects in North Idaho are among 27 statewide passed by the Idaho Transportation Board and funded by recent tax and fee increases.

One project is an estimated $10.68 million reconstruction of a 3.9-mile stretch of U.S. 95 in Benewah County near Plummer between the Smith Creek and Sheep Creek crossings.

The other is a $1.12 million estimated sum for deck life extension projects on three bridges on U.S. 2 in Bonner County.

"These were advanced because they are primary routes, they need significant improvements to roadway/bridge deficiencies and were ready to advertise now," said Jerry Wilson, a project development engineer for the Idaho Transportation Department.

"Neither project will have roadway construction activities begin until spring 2016 because by the time they are advertised, bid and awarded, there wouldn't be enough time to complete the construction before winter shutdown."

The projects are both single-season projects.

"We don't want the highway work zones to go through the winter if we don't have to," Wilson said.

The third North Idaho project in the running to be funded - improving Highway 3 from the Coeur d'Alene River bridge to Interstate 90 - will also be constructed next spring but will not be advertised until this winter when regular 2016 state funds are available.

The Benewah County project will improve roadway curvature, sight distance and shoulder areas for a 60 mph design. It consists of widening, slope and ditch work, culvert replacements and installation of new guardrails.

The bridges to be improved on U.S. 2 in Bonner County include one over the Priest River near milepost 7, one over Johnson Creek near milepost 18 and one over the BNSF Railway at Dover.

The 27 projects passed statewide total $46.8 million, including $2.8 million for bridge restoration, $13.8 million for bridge preservation, $21.1 million for pavement restoration and $9.1 million for pavement preservation.

"We are now accelerating critical projects more rapidly from the long list of needs," said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Jerry Whitehead. "This is an important beginning to preserve our system by replacing and preserving our bridges, as well as our pavements, and keeping Idaho's economy and citizens moving."

Project selection was based on project readiness, bridge restoration or preservation and pavement rehabilitation or preservation. The projects were accelerated from those listed in future years of ITD's five-year Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP).

"We commend ITD engineers and staff for the quick response on making these projects ready for construction," said ITD Director Brian Ness. "Organizational changes have made possible the advancement of these critical projects."