COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Residents of Kootenai County can look forward to significant improvements on a major Coeur d’Alene roadway, with $1.3 million allocated for upgrades to Ramsey Road.
Safety is a primary concern for locals, especially with the holidays approaching and travel on the rise. Neighbors like Roxanne Martwick have expressed their relief about the upcoming changes.
“I mean it’s just getting busier and busier,” said Martwick.
Martwick, who lives near the intersection of Ramsey and Wilbur, described the current situation as “kind of horrible.” She explained how crossing the street to access her favorite walking trail can be a challenge.
“It sometimes takes 5 to 10 minutes for traffic to slow down enough to get across the Ramsey to go on the walking trail across the street. I’d like to be able to walk in that, and if there was a light it would be easier,” Martwick said.
The planned upgrades for Ramsey Road, between Dalton Avenue and Prairie Avenue, include vehicle detection, ADA improvements, and improved coordination between traffic signals. A new traffic light at Wilbur is among the most anticipated changes.
These improvements will be funded by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council and city funds. City Engineer Chris Bosley emphasized the timeliness of the grant money.
“We know it’s needed and this grant money came along just in time for us to take advantage of that,” Bosley said.
The Coeur d’Alene General Services and Public Works Committee unanimously approved an agreement with J-U-B Engineers Inc. to design the upgrades. Work is slated to begin in 2027.
“We don’t know if this is going to be enough money to do it all, but we’re going to do as much as we can even if we have to put in some of our own, maybe it’ll be worth it but we will definitely be coming back to you at that time,” added Bosley.
Bosley noted that coordinating traffic signals is a top priority to improve traffic flow on the busy road. Martwick hopes these changes will make the area more pedestrian-friendly.
“Sometimes people will stop but it’s very far and few in between,” Martwick stated.
Both Bosley and Martwick agree that the new light signal at Wilbur will be crucial in creating a safer roadway.
