ITD seeks input on U.S. 2 curve designs
SANDPOINT — Local residents have a chance to weigh in on an upcoming project that will permanently change the face of the town.
The first public meeting for the final design of the U.S. 2 Curve extension is coming up from 3-6 p.m. this Thursday at the Panhandle State Bank community room, 414 Church Street. An improvement that will divert traffic on U.S. 2 away from the downtown core and onto Fifth Avenue, the U.S. 2 is the final necessary puzzle piece before Idaho Transportation Department relinquishes control of downtown streets back into city officials’ hands.
As an open house-style meeting, residents can feel free to drop by any time between those hours. No official presentations are scheduled for the afternoon, so attendees can visit at any point without worrying about missing anything. Idaho Transportation Department officials will be on hand to guide attendees through plans for the Curve and to answer any questions. Those wishing to put their opinion on the official record for the project can either give their testimony to a hearing officer or submit their thoughts in written form.
Idaho Transportation Department officials want to make sure the public input process is thorough for a project of the Curve’s importance. Since the Curve is a major construction project that will occur in well-traveled business and residential areas. Furthermore, once it’s finished, it will have a huge impact on the way residents navigate Sandpoint.
The department originally parceled out funding for the Curve last summer after Sandpoint officials established the foundation for the project by hiring engineering firm David Evans and Associates to handle the conceptual work. In October, the project was assigned to an official design team from WHPacific.