2/24/2010
Excavation work and placement of lightweight fill to begin later this week for Sand Creek Byway project
COEUR D'ALENE - Contractors crews will begin
major excavation work for the Sand Creek Byway, in preparation for the
placement of lightweight fill material between Bridge Street and the Cedar Street
Bridge, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The back entrance to the Cedar Street
Bridge will be closed until mid-May.
Excavation will be done in a stair-step fashion,
down to the level of the streambed. This will accommodate the footing for pre-cast panels that will be erected
along Sand Creek, below the Burlington Northern Depot. Lightweight fill material will then be
placed behind the panels.
To accommodate the work, the existing temporary
pedestrian crossing will be closed. The crossing was put into place at the start of the Sand Creek Byway
project for emergency access only. The contractor has held coordination meetings with the Bridge owners and
Sandpoint Fire Chief Robert Tyler to provide an emergency access until mid-May
for after-hours functions on the Bridge.
Prior to beginning the excavation work,
additional environmental protections, known as Best Management Practices (BMPs)
will be constructed along the Sand Creek shoreline.
The contractor for this $98 million project is Parsons RCI, of Sumner, Washington.
ITD
and the Idaho State Police caution motorists to slow down and pay
attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines
and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and
dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway
or interstate system.