NAPLES — The Idaho Transportation Department completed final patch repairs on a section of U.S. 95 near McArthur Lake on Tuesday.

This patch is a final touch up following the major reconstruction efforts which were completed in 2024. The patch is intended to ensure the long-term integrity of the roadway and improve safety and surface conditions through the corridor.

The project realigned a mile stretch of U.S. 95 near McArthur Lake, softening the curves and replacing the small box bridge with a longer bridge. While the north end of the bridge remained in position, the south end of the bridge was shifted to the east about 50 feet and crews removed dirt and other material from underneath the bridge to provide better clearance for wildlife passage.

Additionally, more than a half mile on each side of the highway was fenced to help funnel wildlife to the bridge for a safe crossing within the project limits.

“In this half-mile stretch of highway, 51 wildlife mortalities have been documented in the past decade, with many more going unreported,” Norm Merz, regional wildlife habitat manager with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said previously. “The replacement of the box culvert with a bridge and funnel fencing will allow wildlife to access habitat on both sides of the highway while reducing the risk of auto-wildlife collisions.”

Safety improvements to U.S. 95 near McArthur Lake were identified for redesign in the early 2000s due to the number of crashes in the region, both due to collisions with wildlife as well as icy conditions. However, the project was removed from the program due to high costs, allowing ITD to address other needs in the area.

Although construction funding was never identified, ITD officials said the transportation department worked with partners to implement other available options while addressing different safety needs. ITD officials worked with Idaho Fish and Game to remove brush, improving drivers’ ability to see wildlife near the road and a new turn lane was also striped for those turning left onto McArthur Lake Road.

However, following a fatal crash in 2016, funding for this area was identified and design began again. An open house was held in 2019 and archeological excavation took place in summer 2021.

Following approval of the design of the 300-foot bridge in 2020, construction on the bridge began in 2023.