$31M Fourth of July Pass project beginning
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 6 days, 5 hours AGO
The Idaho Transportation Department is resuming construction on I-90 over 4th of July Pass, kicking off the final season of a major repaving and barrier replacement effort on the pass. Courtesy of ITD
CATALDO — The Idaho Transportation Department will resume construction on Interstate 90 over Fourth of July Pass this week, marking the final season of a multi-year repaving and barrier replacement project.
Work is set to begin on a two-mile stretch of the interstate between mileposts 30 and 32 near the eastern base of the pass.
Starting in April, crews will expand operations to additional sections west of the pass, with multiple work zones active at the same time in an effort to recover from delays during the 2025 construction season and keep the project on track for completion by the end of 2026.
Once traffic control is in place, drivers can expect a single lane of travel in each direction, separated from the work zone by concrete barriers. That configuration will remain in place around the clock — including weekends and holidays — for the duration of the construction season.
Motorists traveling through the corridor during peak holiday weekends should plan for congestion and delays.
The speed limit through the work zone will be reduced to 45 mph, and restrictions for oversized loads will be in effect at all times.
“We know this is going to be a challenging summer for drivers over the pass with all this work happening. Delays will be inevitable and we appreciate the community bearing with us,” said Project Manager Tom Trutter. “Working multiple sections simultaneously this year is our best shot at keeping the project on track and making sure we’re not coming back for a third season.”
The $31.5 million project spans eight miles of I-90 between Wolf Lodge and the east side of Fourth of July Pass. Improvements include full-depth asphalt replacement, new concrete barriers, drainage upgrades and new lighting at ramps near the summit. The updated barriers will also feature embedded reflectors designed to improve nighttime visibility and overall safety.
Construction began in 2025 but was slowed by issues with asphalt materials that failed to meet quality standards, as well as a regional labor strike. Officials say those challenges have since been resolved.
With the Fourth of July Pass project and ongoing work on the Coeur d’Alene River bridges in Cataldo both expected to wrap up this year, transportation officials say drivers in the Silver Valley could see fewer travel disruptions in the coming seasons.