Easy access to Ironman event, despite closed roads

Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene organizers fibbed – getting downtown to watch the triathletes cross the finish line isn’t a grueling challenge.

Organizers admit they were overcautious during last year’s inaugural event when they warned people about parking problems, delays and detours.

Those first-year jitters are gone, and downtown Coeur d’Alene businesses are inviting everyone to join the June 27 festivities. And they promise parking will be easy, as will navigating around the various closed streets, such as Sherman Avenue and Northwest Boulevard. Yet they still caution people to plan ahead and stay aware of street closures on numerous roads along the route that stretches from Higgens Point to Liberty Lake.

“Last year, I think a lot of people didn’t come because we were saying the parking would be bad,” said Janet Flerchinger, Coeur d’Alene’s project coordinator for Ironman. “It’s just not an issue like we thought it would be.”

A few changes in this year’s course, especially moving the finish line to Sherman Avenue so Front Street remains open, will give drivers even more access to downtown, where the hub of Ironman activity is located. Because Front Street is open, people can park in the Fourth Street parking lot and use the Third Street boat launch.

Because parking isn’t expected to be a problem, the city isn’t offering a shuttle service. Last year, the buses got little use, and the schedule was confusing.

The world-class triathlon is expected to draw 30,000 spectators, which is similar to the number of people who pack downtown Coeur d’Alene for the Fourth of July.

The 2.5 mile swim kicks off the event at 7 a.m. Swimmers do two laps in front of Independence Point and City Beach. After stripping off their wetsuits in the City Park transition area, the athletes jump on their bikes for the 112-mile ride. Then they transition again at City Park and start the 26.2 mile run.

The winning Ironman is expected to cross the finish line on Sherman Avenue, between First and Second streets, around 3 p.m., just eight hours after the starting gun fires.

The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association is encouraging businesses to stay open and create a festive atmosphere. The association will pass out cowbells to ring at the finish line to spark the excitement. Cricket’s Steakhouse will have a beer garden and several restaurants will offer street seating.

“It’s a very inspirational experience,” said Carrie Cook, the association’s manager. “These people have worked very hard to accomplish this huge goal, and it’s fun to cheer them on.”

And it’s also expected to boost sales for downtown businesses. The Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce estimates last year’s event brought $5 million to $7 million to the local economy.

Post Falls isn’t organizing any official viewing parties. Last year, the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce had a festival at the Greyhound Park and Events Center, where cyclists loop around the former dog track, but attendance was low. The park manager didn’t return phone calls, but the chamber said it wasn’t sponsoring any events even though the race is still using the track.

To get to downtown Coeur d’Alene, drivers are advised to use 15th Street as the main north-south route. Third and Fourth streets also will be open to Coeur d’Alene Avenue.

Portions of Sherman, Coeur d’Alene and Lakeside avenues will be closed from 7 a.m. to midnight.

Northwest Boulevard also will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as will the Four Corners intersection of Northwest Boulevard and Government Way. The intersection was open to Fort Sherman residents last year, but too many drivers wanted to cross, and it created a hazard for cyclists cruising down Northwest Boulevard, Flerchinger said. Once the intersection reopens around 5:30 p.m., drivers can park at North Idaho College.

This year, Fort Sherman residents will be routed through Stimson Lumber to Hubbard Avenue, similar to how traffic is routed on July 4. Then they will have limited access to the southbound lane of Northwest Boulevard. Residents must have a pass issued by the city to use the route, no exception, Flerchinger said.

Ironman officials have already started notifying property owners along the route and will post signs along the affected roads and streets warning drivers of closures, detours and delays.

Although there will be reduced lanes on U.S. Highway 95, from the Northwest Boulevard overpass to the turnoff for East Riverview Drive, the Blackwell Boat launch will remain open.

East Riverview Drive and Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive will be open only to local traffic.

In Post Falls, the bike race will reduce the lanes on Poleline Road from Compton Street to Huetter Road.

Post Falls Police Chief Cliff Hayes said the state Highway 41 intersection at Poleline is the biggest concern. The intersection will remain open, with flaggers directing traffic. Long delays are expected, and Hayes said drivers should opt for alternative routes.

He suggested that drivers coming from the north trying to get to Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Spokane use Highway 53 or take Prairie Avenue and go east or west to avoid Highway 41.

Hayes said the congestion was most problematic last year when churches near Poleline let out. He hopes drivers are more aware of the closures and delays this year.

Huetter Road from Poleline Road to Seltice Way will be closed, except to residents, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Seltice Way from Huetter Road to Northwest Boulevard also will be closed.

Hayes is grateful that the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway gave Ironman permission to route the bike race over the railroad bridge above Seltice Way. That allows Post Falls to keep Seltice Way open so at least one main street in town isn’t affected by the race. Seltice Way is closed farther east, where it intersects with Huetter.

“It’s the only way to get in and out of Post Falls,” Hayes said. “If (Seltice) wasn’t open, we would have a mess.”

Sections of the Centennial Trail from Liberty Lake to Post Falls Greyhound Park and Events Center also will be closed because cyclists are using the path.

The race with about 2,000 competitors is one of 17 qualifying events to gain entry to the 2004 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Eighty people from the Coeur d’Alene event will qualify to enter that race.

For more information about road closures and parking, call Janet Flerchinger at 769-2215.