LEWISTON - Motorists headed down the Lewiston Hill on U.S. 95 are being met with a little shake, rattle and roll, and it has nothing to do with what's on their radios. But it does have some motorists concerned about safety.

We first told you about this about a month ago. And it's just gotten worse since then.

If you've taken the southbound trip lately it's no surprise that winter took its toll on the road this year, especially the right lane. Idaho Transportation Department Engineer Joe Schacher said Thursday it's not so much winter wear, but old age to blame. He said the road had its last overhaul in 1999, and they only expected it to last about eight years.

ITD is in the process of opening up bids for construction on the project.

"We're trying to get it done as quick as we can, and we understand it's a concern, and we're trying to get our part done," said Schacher.

Beyond being an annoyance, some are concerned about being bumped around in the ruts and potholes. But Idaho State Police says they've done their homework, and if you go downhill at the posted 55 miles per hour, you should be okay.

"We've traveled the road ourselves so that we could get a feel for what's going on, see if the speed limit is safe to travel,” said Capt. Lonnie Richardson. “What we've determined is that if you drive the speed limit, then those ruts you may encounter would be safe to drive upon."

KLEW News went on a ride-along down the hill with Lt. Allen Oswald of ISP.

"We've had lots of people complain that it's rough, but we haven't responded to anything as far a collision based on the rutting of the road," said Oswald.

Officials say it's taken awhile to get contracts together, and bids are set to open on June 3rd.

"It usually takes between 15 to 30 days to get the contractor out there,” said Schacher. “I expect by the end of June or the first part of July we should have a contractor out there."

Earlier this spring ITD was predicting it could be fall before the work was done.

In the meantime, ISP offers a simple solution, and does some myth busting when it comes to the left lane.

"Driving in the left lane is not illegal on a four lane road as long as you are traveling the speed limit,” said Richardson. “If you don't feel comfortable traveling the speed limit, then you need to be driving in the right lane."

Another development on U.S. 95 means that motorists can now put the pedal a little closer to the metal from the top of the Lewiston Hill north.

In what is the most recently completed phase of construction on highway 95, from the top of the hill to Thorn Creek Road, the Idaho Transportation Department has upped the speed limit from 60 to 65.

The final decision to speed things up was made by a policy group within ITD, with some input from Idaho State Police. Law enforcement officials say they are fine with the change.

"The road is a nice four lane now,” said Richardson. “They've straightened out some curves that could have caused some trouble with a vehicle above the 60 that they originally had posted. It's a very safe road. 65 is appropriate for that kind of road in that area."

The speed limit southbound on the Lewiston grade will remain at 55 miles per hour. Richardson says that's because of the slow truck travel and difficulty of stopping downhill.