Cedar St. Bridge boardwalk options mulled
News editor
SANDPOINT - Reports of the death of the boardwalk at the end of Cedar Street Bridge boardwalk have been greatly exaggerated.
Most of the boardwalk, which connects the east end of the bridge to the grade of Railroad Avenue, was slated for demolition this month, but remains untouched for the time being to ensure people on the bridge can safely escape in the event of a structure fire.
The boardwalk will remain in place until U.S. Highway 95 bypass contractor Parsons RCI develops short- and long-term answers to the fire-safety questions raised by the walkway’s removal.
“We’ve looked at some options and alternatives,” Tim Davis, senior project engineer for Parsons, said on Thursday.
The boardwalk’s removal would essentially seal off that end of the covered bridge housing retail and office space. The bridge has fire-suppression sprinklers and fire alarms, but the only way in or out would be at the west end if the boardwalk is removed.
Ultimately, the east end of the bridge will be served by steps and a ramp down to the creek.
Davis said it’s too soon to discuss what alternatives are being contemplated. They had yet to be presented to the Idaho Transportation Department or the bridge’s owners.
“We have to provide something that meets the requirements,” he said, referring to American with Disabilities Act and fire access standards.
The options could ripen for discussion by the time of the Feb. 5 bypass construction update meeting, Davis said.
“I’ve been working with Parsons and ITD to come up with a two-tier plan for exit egress on the east side of Cedar Street Bridge which allows the bridge to maintain its current occupancy load and limit the business interruption,” Sandpoint Fire Chief Robert Tyler said on Friday.
Tyler said one potential short-term access option would be to install a temporary walkway, which would allow Sand Creek Byway construction work to continue beneath that end of the bridge while still providing emergency passage.
Other bypass work anticipated for the next several weeks includes:
n The driving of sheet pile for a shoreline extension on the east side of Sand Creek between the Bridge and Cedar street bridges is expected to continue.
n Test piling at ITD’s former snow storage sight is awaiting a final re-strike test on Feb. 17. Preparations are under way to begin the installation of production pile and the construction of a temporary access bridge across Sand Creek. Production pile driving could start later this month or in early March.
n Work is done on a temporary access pad and construction has started for more piers to support the south end of the byway. Coffer dams are being created so the piers can be installed. The setting of bridge beams is planned for this fall. Trucks will continue to use Bridge Street Bridge during winter construction operations.
n Vibration monitoring and routine surveying of the Sandpoint Depot is being planned to ensure the historic train station is not damaged during construction operations.
“Once we meet critical limits, we can make decisions on how to proceed so we don’t damage the building,” Davis said.
• Construction update meetings are held on Thursdays at 11 a.m. in the Transportation Information Office located at 202 North Second Avenue. Updates are also posted on ITD’s Web site (itd.idaho.gov/projects/d1). For additional project information, call 265-0897 or send an e-mail to tio@sandpoint.net.