Bypass work expected to cause traffic delays

SANDPOINT — Motorists: Start your planning.

Traffic on the Long Bridge will be funneled to one lane for six-hour periods Monday through Thursday so stormwater drains can be installed across U.S. Highway 95, the Idaho Transportation Department and bypass contractor Parsons RCI said on Thursday.

The work will be concentrated at the north end of the bridge and the lane restrictions will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on those four days.

State highway officials plan to install variable-message signs at key highway junctions in the Panhandle to advise motorists of the work and potential detours.

For liability reasons, ITD can only reroute traffic to other state highways, according to department spokeswoman Barbara Babic.

However, there is nothing to stop motorists with knowledge of local roads from finding their own alternate routes to avoid construction on the Long Bridge.

Parsons Engineer Shane Webley said the two drainpipes, which are adjacent to one another, will be installed in fourths. Workers will close one lane of traffic to install sections of pipe on one side of the highway, shift traffic over and install the remaining sections on the other side of U.S. 95.

Delays on the bridge are forecasted to be at least within 10- to 15-minute range. Both lanes will close briefly when equipment is relocated from one side of the highway to the other, which will create additional delays.