Bridge demolition closes Atlas Road and pedestrian path through Friday

A stretch of Atlas Road and the adjacent pedestrian path in Coeur d'Alene was taken out of service on Jan. 13 as crews continued demolition work on the Interstate 90 bridge, a move that the Idaho Transportation Department said would remain in effect through Friday while demolition continued. The closure affects vehicle access and nonmotorized travel on the corridor immediately adjacent to the I-90 work zone.

Drivers, except for local traffic, were asked to use an alternate route that directs motorists to turn left onto Kathleen Avenue and travel southbound on Northwest Boulevard. Pedestrians and bicyclists who normally use the path beside Atlas Road are also cut off from that connection until crews reopen the area, reducing safe walking options in the immediate neighborhood for the duration of demolition activities.

The Idaho Transportation Department is overseeing the larger I-90 Widening Project under which this demolition is taking place. The work is part of a multi-phase effort to modernize the interstate through Kootenai County, and temporary local closures are scheduled as crews remove older bridge components and prepare for reconstruction. Short-term lane and path closures are a predictable but disruptive part of such projects; the timing and coordination of these closures influence commute times, transit schedules, and access to nearby businesses and residences.

For residents, the immediate impacts are practical: drivers unfamiliar with the detour will face redirected travel across local collectors, and people who walk or bike in the area will need to reroute for a few days. Local traffic exemptions allow residents living on or immediately adjacent to Atlas Road to access their properties, but through traffic is expected to shift onto Northwest Boulevard and other surface streets, increasing congestion pressure on those corridors during peak hours.

Beyond commute disruption, temporary closures highlight the importance of public communication and coordination among the Idaho Transportation Department, city and county officials, and emergency service providers. Planned closures for major projects can affect response times, freight routing, and neighborhood access if detours are not clearly signed and enforced. Keeping up-to-date information available helps residents plan around short-term impacts and raises questions about how well long-term construction scheduling balances progress with community disruption.

The takeaway? Build a few extra minutes into your drive for the next several days, follow the Kathleen Avenue to Northwest Boulevard detour if you are not local traffic, and check the Idaho Transportation Department's I-90 Widening Project page for the latest closure notices and reopening updates. Our two cents? If this work affects your daily route, let county officials and the project team know so planners can improve communication and minimize repeated interruptions.