Work started Wednesday on a 10-mile repaving project of state Highway 75 between Ketchum and Hailey.
Knife River Corp., the Boise company contracted for the work, began laying a 1-inch asphalt layer on a 3.25-mile stretch of highway between Timber Way north of East Fork Road and the bridge across the Big Wood River south of Elkhorn Road. The Idaho Transportation Department reported late Tuesday that Knife River will follow up next week with a seal coat over the same stretch of highway.
Lighted signs on either side of the construction zone advised Wednesday that northbound traffic will be diverted onto Broadway Run today, Aug. 26, through Monday.
The portion of the highway now being worked is the same stretch that will be widened in 2013 as part of a partially funded state Highway 75 expansion project.
Starting as soon as Sept. 8, other sections of the highway between Ketchum and Hailey will be milled away and a new road bed will be put in place. The resurfacing project is expected to last through September.
ITD advises motorists to be mindful of lane restrictions and speed limit reductions through construction zones.
By contract, Knife River is not allowed to begin work before 9 a.m. each day. There are no restrictions for afternoon rush-hour traffic. ITD announced that traffic will not be detoured after dark.
ITD further announced that work will be suspended Sept. 2-4 for the Labor Day weekend.
Knife River is also repaving a 28-mile stretch of state Highway 75 north of Ketchum between Frenchman Creek and Stanley.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com