Paving begins Monday on SH-54 between Farragut State Park and Bayview

BAYVIEW - Drivers traveling State Highway 54 between Farragut State Park and Bayview will encounter construction beginning Sept. 21 as crews repave nearly three miles of the highway between the traffic circle and the top of the hill above Bayview. This work will provide a smoother, more durable roadway for drivers.

Through traffic on SH-54 will be maintained during most of the paving work and drivers should expect reduced speeds, lane reductions and shifting traffic patterns. However, the traffic circle will close for several days, likely in early October, requiring a short-term detour from SH-54 to E. Howard Road, then Perimeter Road to Bayview Road. Drivers should pay attention to roadside digital message boards for updates and use the Idaho 511 system in the coming weeks to help plan their commutes.

Construction is scheduled during daylight hours, generally from 6 a.m. until dusk, Monday through Friday. Some Saturday work may be necessary depending on paving operations and equipment availability. Work to repave this section of highway is expected to last through late October.

Repaving this section of SH-54 was not previously planned. Funding was approved earlier this spring by the Idaho Transportation Department Board in response to public feedback, followed by the design and bidding process needed to prepare the project for construction. Because of these steps, the paving work could not be completed during the Brig Road underpass closure earlier this year.

"We've known this stretch of SH-54 needed attention, and we appreciate the board recognizing that need and supporting the funding to make repaving possible," Project Manager Alan Kyaw said. "We're glad that support is allowing us to move this project forward and deliver a much better roadway to the community in 2026, especially heading into winter."

This project follows on the heels of major construction completed in July at Farragut State Park where a pedestrian underpass was constructed beneath SH-54 at Brig Road. That project was planned by Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and required a full closure of SH-54 through the park starting in February and lasting through mid-summer.

Always stay alert and drive safely through work zones. For current traffic impacts and road conditions drivers should visit 511.idaho.gov or download the Idaho 511 app.