Input sought on U.S. 2 bypass

SANDPOINT — City officials hope to follow the public’s lead as they begin planning a bypass project that will yield a more pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Scheduled for Wednesday, April 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., a public workshop will help planners shape their objectives as they begin the first stages of planning for the U.S. Highway 2 bypass.

“We are starting this meeting with a clean slate,” Sandpoint Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk said. “We don’t have any preconceived notions about what this project needs to look like.”

Known as “the Curve,” the Highway 2 bypass project is a high priority project for Sandpoint based on the specifications of the Urban Area Transport Plan. The construction will divert highway traffic from downtown using a connector situated between Fifth Avenue and Pine Street. That construction will put downtown streets back in city control, allowing a safer and more pleasant experience for pedestrians.

“I think the main problem boils down to the fact that downtown Sandpoint has become a much less friendly place due to the heavy truck traffic,” Van Dyk said.

Although the bypass project is still in its infancy, planners have placed it in the fast lane for implementation. Van Dyk said the first stage of design should be finished by early fall with construction occurring around 2013.

The bypass also has plenty of other factors in its favor for speedy completion. Representatives of the Idaho Transportation Department are optimistic about funding sources, and the right of way is already purchased.

“That usually takes a lot of time to procure, but in this case it’s already taken care of,” Van Dyk said.

Although the city will offer regular opportunities for public commentary throughout the project’s life span, Van Dyk hopes that the April 6 meeting will provide a solid foundation for early design.

“I hope to get as much feedback as possible,” he said. “It’s important to get people’s input. This will be happening fairly soon if the stars align correctly.”