7/10/2008
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals sets an expedited schedule for hearing on U.S. 95, Sand Creek Byway
COEUR DALENE - The Ninth Circuit Court has set an expedited schedule for a full hearing on a motion affecting the U.S. 95 Sand Creek Byway project, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
In a split decision, the court granted an emergency injunction pending a hearing, which could cause a delay in the department's anticipated start of construction this summer.
The United States District Court denied a motion from the North Idaho Community Action Network to stop the project in March. The group appealed the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court.
A hearing will be scheduled for the week of Aug. 25, in Seattle.
The Idaho Transportation Board authorized award of the $98 million construction contract to Parsons RCI, but the contract has not yet been fully executed. It will take four construction seasons to complete the project.
The transportation department remains committed to delivering the byway project, Pamela Lowe, director of the department said.