Getting there: Road projects move ahead in Idaho

At least three major road projects in North Idaho are going to take their next steps starting this week.

The Seltice Way revitalization project in Coeur d’Alene is moving into a new phase starting Friday.

Traffic will switch to the south side of the street. The change will be done in steps so that the project team can assess driver safety in the new configuration.

The south side of the road is now paved.

Eastbound traffic will be moved to the new pavement first, followed by westbound traffic.

A new roundabout at Atlas Road will be open and striped for one lane.

The roundabout at Grand Mill Lane will be partly open.

Access to businesses on the north side will remain open.

According to a news release from the city, “The $5.44 million project will provide for a new streetscape, roundabouts … bike lanes, shared-use paths as well as upgraded water and wastewater utilities between Huetter Road and Northwest Boulevard. The project is projected to last into the first quarter of 2018 and work is weather dependent.”

I-90 roadwork planned

Farther to the east on Interstate 90, all four lanes will be getting a new seal coat from Pinehurst to the west side of Kellogg starting on Monday.

Interchange ramps at Pinehurst and Bunker Hill Road will also get the coatings in the 7.5-mile project.

The job is being undertaken during daytime hours.

“Drivers can anticipate minor delays, with I-90 reduced to one lane in each direction,” Reed Hollinshead, a spokesman for the Idaho Transportation Department, said in a news release.

“To avoid windshield and paint damage, drivers should increase the distance between themselves and other vehicles and reduce speed.”

He said the seal coating will add years of life to the pavement and provide greater traction for motorists.

Intermountain Slurry Seal, of North Salt Lake, Utah, is the contractor on the $834,000 project.

Two Idaho bridges to be replaced

Also in Idaho, two bridges on state Highway 3 at St. Maries will be replaced starting after Labor Day.

The bridges span the St. Maries Railroad Co. and the St. Joe River.

The job is a joint venture of RSCI Inc. and J-U-B Engineers.

“Both bridges will be removed and replaced with structures that include one lane in each direction with a shoulder/bike lane and sidewalk on each side,” Hollinshead, the ITD spokesman, said in another news release.

“Work also will include resurfacing the roadway, replacing guardrails and signs in several locations, enhancing pedestrian facilities to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and realigning the intersections.”

For more information, visit itd.idaho.gov/d1/ under “Projects.”

State to count bikes, pedestrians

The state of Washington is seeking volunteers to help count walkers and bike riders.

About 400 volunteers are needed for a three-day survey starting Sept. 26.

A similar effort last year counted 78,000 walkers and bike riders.

“Data from this survey helps state and local governments plan and evaluate improved connections for Washingtonians who walk and bike, in a similar way we plan for other modes of travel,” the state’s Active Transportation Division Director Barb Chamberlain said in a news release.

“Volunteers make the collection process possible – we couldn’t do this work without them.”

To volunteer, go to http://wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Count.htm.

Highways and interstates

On state highways, a new roundabout is under construction on U.S. Highway 2 for the Spokane Tribe’s new casino on the west end of Airway Heights.

The speed limit is 35 mph. Delays are possible, officials said.

Paving continues on Division Street north of Francis Avenue to the “Y.”

Paving is also continuing on I-90 from Fishtrap to Sprague Lake.

Back in Spokane, the I-90 westbound off-ramp for Lincoln Street will be reduced to a single lane for work.

On U.S. Highway 195, new passing lanes are under construction at Spangle.

Paving and bridge repair continue on Trent Avenue from Mission Avenue to Sullivan Road.

In the city

On Spokane city streets, northbound Monroe Street will have one lane closed on Monday for the combined sewer overflow project there.

Phase four of the $5.9 million Division Street gateway project begins on the west sides of Division and Browne streets from Sprague to Third avenues.

T.J. Meenach Drive from Northwest Boulevard to Pettet Drive remains closed for a sewer holding tank in an $8 million project.