Curve, contracts occupy city's attention

by Cameron Rasmusson Staff Writer
| April 17, 2013 7:00 AM

SANDPOINT — Emergency response contracts, insurance policies and the U.S. 2 Curve project will occupy city officials’ attentions this week.

Council members will supplement a sparse agenda at the regular meeting tonight with a special workshop Thursday morning, during which they will meet with Idaho Transportation Department officials to talk about the U.S. 2 Curve construction project.

The workshop, which is scheduled set for 8 a.m. Thursday in the council chambers, will likely center around the characteristics that Sandpoint officials hope to see in the transportation project.

Scheduled for construction next year, the Curve is the final infrastructure improvement required before the city is allowed to reclaim its downtown streets.

Because the highway extension will have a dramatic impact on traffic circulation, pedestrian and bicyclist activity and other considerations, council members have taken a keen interest in the project. The city hired consulting firm David Evans and Associates to develop concepts for the project, providing a foundation for future commentary.

When ITD engineers debuted their initial concepts for the Curve, however, city officials identified a few worrisome details, which primarily centered around pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations, as well as some other points regarding traffic function and aesthetic design. The council summarized these wishes across 40 points in a letter delivered in March to ITD officials.

“In general, design for an urban, complete street environment,” city officials wrote in their letter. “Take into account all users of the right of way, (including) pedestrians, bicyclists, businesses, freight and through-traffic.”

As for the regular council meeting at 5:30 p.m. tonight in the council chambers, it will likely be another quick one. Aside from the consent calendar, members will take a look at a local government grant agreement, city employee health and life insurance policies and a Long Bridge emergency response contract with ITD.