Heavy loads required to reduce speeds on U.S. 95, U.S. 2

BONNERS FERRY —With roads alternatively freezing and thawing this spring, the Idaho Transportation Department has placed speed restrictions on heavy loads on U.S. 95 and U.S. 2 to protect the pavement.

Heavier trucks must slow down on U.S. 95 north of Bonners Ferry to the Canadian border, U.S. 2 from the U.S. 95 junction to the Montana border and the entirety of Idaho Highway 1. Details on exact limits are found on the drivers’ version of 511.idaho.gov.

“If you find yourself stuck behind trucks moving at 30 mph, this is why,” Foreman George Shutes said. “I know it’s frustrating, but these restrictions help keep the road together and save taxpayer dollars in the long run.”

When the frozen bases of highways thaw and temperatures increase, water saturates the base and creates a weaker section below the pavement that can lead to potholes and cracks. Reducing the speed at which heavier loads travel helps avoid excessive and unnecessary damage.

“This is something we do every year to prevent accelerated deterioration on highways,” Shutes said. “If we didn’t limit the damage through speed reductions, we’d never be able to fix it with our current resources.”

Spring breakup limits are enforced only as long as necessary to limit inconvenience to other drivers.