Mass excavation starting on bypass project

PONDERAY — Mass excavation is slated to start this week for the U.S. Highway 95 bypass’ northwest interchange.

The work is concentrated on either side of Highway 200 east of the U.S. 95 turnoff. It’s being done in conjunction with the ongoing construction of a haul road on the east side of Sand Creek.

The haul road will allow bypass contractor Parsons RCI to gain access to the project from the north, eliminating the need for trucks to continue using Bridge Street in Sandpoint.

Sandpoint Mayor Gretchen Hellar allowed Parsons to continue using Bridge Street until June 15 so the pace of construction does not slacken.

“I can’t go beyond June 15 without getting lynched,” Hellar half-jokingly warned Parsons and Idaho Transportation Department officials on Thursday.

The stormwater retention pond is done and an attendant treatment system, both of which are located in the northwest interchange area, is up and running. Major excavation on both sides of Highway 200 east of the U.S. 95 turnoff is ongoing and Parsons expects to install a culvert under 200 in about two weeks.

Traffic controls and flaggers will be used to aid traffic flow in that area.

At the south end of the project, construction of a retaining wall continues for a southbound causeway traffic will ultimately use to get from downtown Sandpoint to the Long Bridge.

Production pile driving for the mainline bridge over Sand Creek is still under way, as is the removal of sheet piling for a pier which will support the southbound off-ramp motorists will eventually use to access downtown from the bypass.

Decking of the temporary work trestle across the creek near Sandpoint Marina is also continuing. The trestle will extend from the west side of the creek, but will not extend all the way across the creek.

“A section of section will be pulled out for summer so boats can get in and out,” said Parsons project Engineer Shane Webley.

The removable section will be over the deepest part of the creek and is expected to be taken out by June.

Comprehensive construction updates are available on the Web (itd.idaho.gov/projects/d1) and weekly work update meetings are held at 11 a.m. on Thursdays in the Transportation Information Office at 202 North Second.