Pile driving work continues at site
SANDPOINT — Pile driving for a temporary work trestle across Sand Creek is under way as construction of the U.S. Highway 95 bypass continues.
Decking for the work trestle is being installed and the project’s production pile is being driven based on the analysis of test pile data to date, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.
The pile driving is being done in the state’s former snow-storage site at the north end of the Long Bridge. Trucks will be accessing the site from U.S. 95 and pile driving noise is to be expected Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On the southwest side of the highway, opposite the snow-storage site, preparations are complete for the construction of a retaining wall that will support the future southbound lane of the Sand Creek Byway. Brushing and grubbing is also completed and the creation of an access haul road is slated to begin this week, ITD said.
At the former site of the Lakeside Inn and the adjacent shoreline, foundation excavation inside coffer dams is ongoing. Test piles will be driven once the excavation is complete and production pile driving is anticipated to commence in two or three weeks.
Construction of a test embankment is set to begin this week and the insertion of wick drains is under way.
Wick drains are subterranean artificial drainage paths which decrease soil consolidation times from years to months.
Wick drains are also to be installed this week on the shoreline extension on the east side of the creek, between the Bridge and Cedar street bridges, transportation officials say. In about three weeks, the drains will be embedded north of Cedar Street Bridge.
Demolition of the east end of the Cedar Street Bridge pedestrian walkway is planned to begin in two weeks, followed by the installation of a temporary emergency evacuation walkway. There will be no pedestrian access on that side of the bridge until the new walkway is placed.
Weekly construction updates are held on Thursdays at 11 a.m. at the Transportation Information Office at 202 North Second Avenue. Those with questions about the project can call 265-0897 or send a message to tio@sandpoint.net