Bonner County commissioners have unanimously authorized the Road and Bridge Department to begin construction on a safety improvement project aimed at addressing one of the region’s deadliest roadway hazards.
The Spirit Lake Cutoff Road realignment project will reshape a particularly treacherous curve near Beare Road that has been the site of three fatal accidents over the past seven years. The work includes realigning the roadway to match the posted 45 mph speed limit, a critical step after years of roadway departure crashes at the location.
Curve Realignment and Safety Upgrades
The project encompasses more than simple curve correction. Crews will install guardrails along the outer edge of corners and add improved “curve ahead” warning signs throughout the affected area. Chevron signage—the reflective diamond-shaped markers—will be placed around all corners to guide drivers through the turn geometry.
One particularly sharp corner features a 90-degree angle where the posted speed limit of 45 mph far exceeds the safe advisory speed of 15 mph, creating a dangerous mismatch between posted and practical speeds.
Matt Mulder, the project engineer, explained the impetus for the work: “This is a grant-funded project that the county pursues back in 2022 and was awarded based on fatalities and the number of severe accidents that we have on Spirit Lake Cutoff Road.”, as first reported by the Bonner County Daily Bee
Funding and Timeline
The county approved a final match payment of $116,017 to advance the project into the construction phase. The Local Highway Safety Improvement Program safety grant will cover the remaining project costs. The overall safety grant includes $1.5 million in funding, with Bonner County having pursued the award in 2022.
Commissioner Brian Domke gave the green light for construction to begin, with commissioners moving unanimously to authorize the Road and Bridge Department to proceed.
What Comes Next
Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks as weather and scheduling permit. Drivers should anticipate potential lane closures and work activity in the Spirit Lake Cutoff area during daylight hours. The county has not yet announced a projected completion date, but the safety improvements are expected to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents at the location.
The project represents a significant investment in North Idaho roadway safety and addresses a documented pattern of crashes that has claimed lives and prompted regional concern about the corridor’s hazards.