CASCADE — Work to repave Idaho Highway 55 near Smiths Ferry will begin Thursday, May 9th and continue until the end of June, according to Idaho Transportation Department officials.
“The project area spans from milepost 91 to milepost 97, a stretch just south of the Cougar Mountain Lodge on Highway 55. Crews will remove the old, worn pavement, repair the road base, and lay down fresh asphalt,” ITD spokesman Jake Melder explained.
“This area was breaking up quickly and really took a beating this winter,” added Jayme Coonce, the ITD engineer overseeing the project. “The repaving will bring the road back into a great condition for the many drivers that use it, particularly ahead of the bulk of summer recreation season.”
During the work, traffic will be reduced to a single lane, controlled by flaggers and a pilot car. Motorists should plan for delays of up to thirty minutes. Work will not be done after 12 noon Fridays through the weekends.
“Both lanes will be open to traffic during the weekend,” Melder said.
(photo courtesy: Idaho Transportation Dept.)
