Bypass work focuses on southern piers
SANDPOINT - Construction crews are forecasted to continue their focus on laying the groundwork for piers to support the southern end of the U.S. Highway 95 bypass.
Excavation and the installation of crane pads for the project's southernmost piers is already under way and crews are slated to begin building a temporary access pad next week so workers can commence work on the next set of piers in Sand Creek. Sheet pile will be driven into the creek bed to create a coffer dam so the next set of piers can eventually be installed.
The temporary access pad will extend from the former site of the Lakeside Inn.
People can expect to hear the noise of pile driving from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Pile also continues to be driven at the former Idaho Transportation Department snow-storage site at the north end of the Long Bridge.
Also on tap for next week is the start of demolition of the pedestrian walkway at the east end of the Cedar Street Bridge. The work will thwart pedestrian access between that end of the bridge and the grade of Railroad Avenue, although steps will ultimately be built to restore pedestrian access from the east side of the creek to the bridge. The staircase, however, is at least two years away from being built.
The Sandpoint Depot will not be affected, but motorists will have to use Bridge Street to get to and from the train station now and in the future. Trucks will be using Bridge Street this winter to access construction sites on the Sand Creek peninsula.
The demolition work will coincide with the removal of vegetation and trees between the Cedar and Bridge street bridges. The work between the bridges will accommodate a shoreline extension
Sheet pile driving north of Bridge Street is scheduled to commence on the week of Jan. 26.
n Weekly project update meetings are held at 11 a.m. at the Transportation Information Office at 202 North Second Avenue. Project updates can also be viewed on ITD's Web site (www.itd.idaho.gov/Projects/D1). For project questions, call 265-0897 or e-mail tio@sandpoint.net.