7/25/2012
Sand Creek Byway to open Friday morning (July 27)
COEUR D’ALENE – The long-awaited and highly anticipated opening of the Sand Creek Byway is set for Friday morning (July 27), the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Crews will prepare the road and remove barriers for northbound traffic on the roadway by about 8:30 Friday morning. By 9 a.m., north- and southbound lanes of traffic are expected to be open.
Crews will then turn attention to the bike and pedestrian trail along Sand Creek. Everything is expected to be open for use by mid-afternoon.
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 Byway will also provide a local opportunity to enjoy and use a modern bike and pedestrian trail.
The contractor for this $106 million project is Parsons RCI, of Sumner, Wash. Construction started in 2008.
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MEDIA ADVISORY – the following timeline will help facilitate your opportunity to take photos/video of the opening:
Crews will start breaking down barriers, etc., at 8 a.m., starting with the northbound lane. Please arrive no later than 8:15 a.m., to set up in the southbound lanes for photo ops.
Crews will then work at the north end of the project to release southbound traffic at approximately 9 a.m.
Pilot cars will be used to get traffic moving onto the highway.
Work to open the bike/ped trail will begin about 10:30 a.m. Best viewing is from Bridge Street.