Sand Creek Byway welcomed traffic today (July 27)

Long-awaited and highly anticipated, the Sand Creek Byway officially opened to traffic this morning (July 27), bringing to a conclusion more than a half-century of discussion, planning and recent construction.

Crews prepared the road and removed barriers early this morning for northbound traffic; about an hour later, the byway was opened to vehicles traveling in both directions.

After traffic began flowing, crews turned their attention to the bike and pedestrian trail along Sand Creek. Everything was expected to be open for use by mid-afternoon today.

The byway, in conjunction with other important roadway improvements, will maximize mobility and provide a safe, long-term solution to traffic-congestion problems in the Sandpoint area, including a non-stop, through-town corridor for commercial truck traffic.

The public was extensively involved in the ultimate shape of the community's new byway, which eases congestion, improves safety for commercial and passenger vehicles and enhances economic opportunity Those are key components of ITD's Strategic Plan. The project also will draw bicycle riders and pedestrians to the new trail that was built as part of the byway.

The contractor for this $106 million project is Parsons RCI, of Sumner, Wash. Construction started in 2008.

Published 7-27-2012