Widening four miles of US-12 will increase safety on this narrow, winding route.
Shoulders of the highway will be widened to two feet.
Read MoreShoulders will be widened to two feet, requiring the use of gabion baskets to form retaining walls along the edge of the river. Guardrail, signage and drainage culverts will be replaced.
Access to Weir Hot Springs will be improved, and the parking area will be paved.
The travel lanes of the highway will be repaved in a larger project scheduled for 2023.
ITD is evaluating the effect of proposed changes on wetlands, wildlife, archaeological sites and more. Given the highway’s designation as a scenic byway along a Wild and Scenic River, ITD has been working closely with the U.S. Forest Service.
Proposed improvements will be designed to blend in with the natural scenery. For example, road signs will be painted brown on the back, and new retaining walls will be covered with vegetation so that they will not be visible to river users.
A study has been completed to catalog and identify any areas that may be of cultural concern to the Nez Perce Tribe.
ITD has worked with the tribe to avoid any areas and to mitigate any adverse effects.
ITD plans to widen the shoulders of US-12 from the Syringa area to Warm Springs (60 miles). Most projects are in design.
Other similar projects include 10 miles in 2023 between Lochsa Ranger Station and Holly Creek and 9 miles in 2028 from Tumble Creek to the Lochsa Ranger Station.
For a complete list of projects, visit itd.idaho.gov/funding.