Bypass route is unmistakable

PONDERAY — The alignment of the U.S. Highway 95 bypass is growing more and more unmistakable as mass excavation continues east of the Y interchange.

Mass excavation is also ongoing on the mainline alignment north of Larch Street, according to Sand Creek Byway contractor Parsons and the Idaho Transportation Department. Sheet and H piles are also being installed in the vicinity of the railroad trestle on Sand Creek.

At the south end of the project, the second stage of retaining wall construction for the new southbound lane accessing the Long Bridge is under way. The placement of surcharge material along the rail line embankment is pending.

Phase 1 construction for the realigned bike/pedestrian bath is done, although paving isn’t expected to commence until the spring. Traffic in this area has been temporarily shifted to the east side of U.S. 95 just north of the Long Bridge.

Moving north to the former snow storage area, piers 1, 2 and 3 of the mainline bridge are complete. The forms on the Pier 2 cap are slated for removal and the sheet pile and backfill around Pier 3 will be done at a later date.

At the former Lakeside Inn site, production pile driving for Pier 4 is ongoing and footing concrete pour for Pier 2 of the southbound off-ramp is done. Installation of permanent sheet and H piles for the abutment and mainline south of the Bridge Street Bridge is pending. Construction of the retaining wall will follow.

Between the Bridge and Cedar street bridges, excavation for the mainline roadway is under way.

Weekly construction updates are held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Transportation Information Office, located at 202 North Second Avenue. Updates are also posted on the Web (itd.idaho.gov/projects/d1).