Bypass work to crimp traffic flow

SANDPOINT — Traffic on the north end of the Long Bridge will be constricted to one lane for several days next week as work on the U.S. Highway 95 bypass continues.

Safety rail is being installed on the Sand Creek Byway, as are stay-in-place decking and overhang brackets, which will be used to hold the forms for roadway construction.

The traffic revision is slated to start on Monday, Jan. 24, according to the Idaho Transportation Department and project contractor Parsons RCI. Traffic will be reduced to one lane from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for two to three days.

Construction and installation of the welded-wire baskets for future vegetation on the west side of the mainline retaining wall south of Bridge Street is continuing, though remains weather-dependent.

Rebar installation for the pre-cast wall footing on the Bridge Street overpass is under way. The footing concrete pour will follow. Temporary riprap on the shoreline extension between the Bridge and Cedar street bridges and final grading are complete. A permanent erosion-control blanket has also been installed in that area.

The setting of wall forms for the cast-in-place wall near the Sandpoint Depot is ongoing, as are concrete pours.

Test pile driving for the Cedar Street Bridge pedestrian structure is imminent, according to ITD and Parsons.

Stage-two settlement of the mainline wall on the Sand Creek peninsula is complete, clearing the way for storm drain/manhole installation.

Maintenance of the pathway habitat enhancements on the east side of the creek is ongoing. The new cycling and pedestrian path along the creek remains closed to the public until the bypass is completed.

Construction updates during winter operations are held on the first Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. in the Transportation Information Office at 202 North Second Ave.