COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — I-90 drivers navigating through Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene face significant delays this weekend and into next week as construction crews began repaving the freeway Friday morning.
The project has reduced a critical stretch of I-90 between Northwest Boulevard and Highway 95 to just one lane, creating bottlenecks during peak travel times. The closure will remain in effect until Wednesday, October 21.
Commuters report the delays are substantial. Many drivers say they’re adding 20 to 30 minutes to their usual travel time as they navigate the reduced capacity. The congestion doesn’t stop at the freeway’s edge—it spills onto local roads as drivers attempt to find alternate routes through Coeur d’Alene’s arterial streets.
“There’s just so much traffic where there usually isn’t,” said Elizabeth Galvan, who regularly drives I-90. “There’s new road closures, different road closures, freeway closures. And you have to go around town and then to go around town you run into more construction and it’s crazy.”
The construction work is forcing some commuters to get creative. Brian Tilley, who can see the freeway from the Centennial Trail, has turned to his e-bike to beat the gridlock. “The highway is right next to you, and you can just see it at a full stop,” he said. “I’m actually ahead of some people that leave Post Falls on the highway. I can get to Coeur d’Alene faster than they can.”
The delays are affecting everyone passing through the area, even out of town visitors.
“We’re here for a wedding tonight. We did get backed up,” said Mike Schwarz, while he was exploring downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Finley Carpenter commutes on I-90 regularly. “With only one lane open, it was really backed up. So, it took about like, 25 minutes,” she said.
Despite the frustration, some drivers recognize the necessity of the work. This repaving project is part of a much larger I-90 expansion initiative aimed at reducing congestion and supporting the region’s continued growth.
“You also have to consider they only have like certain times of year to work. So it’s kind of hard. You have to be a little bit understanding. But it is frustrating,” Galvan said.
Transportation officials are encouraging drivers to use alternate routes during the closure. Many commuters report success taking Seltice Way instead of the freeway, which has helped some avoid the worst of the I-90 congestion.
Drivers should plan accordingly for the remainder of the week and into next week, as the single-lane configuration will remain in place through Wednesday Oct 21.
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