Bypass work idles for holiday

SANDPOINT — If traffic becomes a plodding snarl of steel, chrome and rubber on the Fourth of July weekend, it won’t be because of U.S. Highway 95 bypass construction.

Sand Creek Byway contractor Parsons RCI will idle construction activities on Friday and Saturday, the Idaho Transportation Department has announced. The weekly construction update meeting on Thursday is also canceled.

Those who plan to park near the east end of Cedar Street Bridge or use the pedestrian walkway there for the Fourth of July fireworks display at City Beach are advised to make alternative arrangements. There is no parking allowed on that side of the bridge because of construction and the walkway at that end of the bridge remains off-limits to pedestrians.

The Sandpoint Depot, however, remains accessible via Bridge Street.

Production pile driving for pier four of the mainline bridge at the former Lakeside Inn site is still ongoing, so there will be noise on days there is work. Trucks will be using Bridge Street and First Avenue during these operations, although flaggers will be on hand to help guide traffic.

Sheet and H piles are also being installed in that area.

At the north end of the project in Ponderay, mass excavation on either side of Highway 200 continues. Trucks will be accessing the highway in this area and flaggers will be utilized.