CATALDO — Drivers on Interstate 90 near Cataldo can expect a major change next week as crews prepare to shift one lane of eastbound traffic onto the newly constructed eastbound bridge. 

“At this point, we have made enough progress on the new eastbound bridge to plan for a single lane of eastbound traffic to be shifted to the new bridge as early as Wednesday,” Idaho Transportation Department Public Information Officer Heather McDaniel said. 

Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction while crews finish guardrail installation and restriping, but officials anticipate restoring two lanes in both directions before winter. Eastbound traffic will stay on the new bridge, and work to demolish and rebuild the westbound bridge will begin next spring. 

McDaniel noted that weather remains a concern.  

“Ideally, we are hoping the weather (snow) holds until all work is completed, but we do have a plan for snow removal in the current traffic configuration should the need arise,” she said.  

Because lane widths are currently too narrow for full-size plows, ITD has retrofitted equipment with smaller blades to clear the highway if necessary. 

The project faced delays earlier this year due to a late-summer labor strike, raising concerns about completing the eastbound bridge before winter.  

“Initially, we were worried that we wouldn’t have enough time to complete the eastbound bridge before weather issues intervened and put a stop to work, but the contractor has really stepped up both during the strike to keep as much work as possible moving forward, and afterwards with making up for lost time,” McDaniel said. “Here we are now able to get this bridge open before winter.” 

The Cataldo Bridge reconstruction began in March after crews resumed work following winter shutdowns. The full project, including the westbound bridge replacement, is expected to continue into next year.