Idaho Transportation Department

U.S. 95 - Sand Creek Byway

Project Facts

Project No.: DHP-NH-IR-CM-F-5116
Key Number: 1729

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) proposes to construct 2.1 miles of a new alignment connecting U.S. 95, from the northern end of the Long Bridge, directly to Idaho 200 and U.S. 95 north of Sandpoint. The project includes six bridges, 24 retaining walls, and a pedestrian/bike pathway.

Project Background

Building an alternate route on U.S. 95 on the eastern side of Sandpoint, Idaho has been a topic of local interest since the 1940’s. Several ideas have been talked about in the community over the years, but those ideas didn’t progress beyond the drawing board. That changed in 1990 when the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) began studying the U.S. 95 North/South Alternative Route.

As part of the U.S. 95 North/South study, ITD performed a complete environmental analysis from Sagle to Ponderay as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed in 1999 and the Federal Highway Administration issued a Record of Decision (ROD) approving the EIS in 2000.

Project Description

The U.S. 95 Sand Creek Byway is a segment of the U.S. 95 North/South Alternate Route. Washington Group International and CH2M Hill worked with ITD to complete the preliminary and final design of the project. The design team faced a number of challenges based on the expectations of the community and the regulatory agencies involved. To address these challenges, ITD and the design team engaged the public and agencies early in the process.

ITD also established its first office dedicated solely to public involvement in downtown Sandpoint. The office continues to be the key to communicating with the public, agencies, and other entities involved in the project. The office continues to serve as a liaison with such groups as the Citizens Design Advisory Committee, Bonner County Economic Development Corporation, Cities of Sandpoint & Ponderay, Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, North Idaho Bikeways Committee, Downtown Sandpoint Business Association, Ponderay Community Development Corporation, Bonner County Commissioners, Bonner County Association of Realtors, Downtown Revitalization Committee, and the Sagle Business Owners Association, as well as the general public.

The project team also worked closely with several agencies including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Idaho Dept. of Lands, Idaho Fish & Game, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the Kalispell Tribe of Idaho, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF).

Design enhancements, suggested by the public and agencies, required the completion of an Environmental Assessment (EA). A public hearing on the EA was held June 3, 2004 at the Bonner Mall in Sandpoint. 479 people attended the hearing. A total of 448 written and oral hearing comments were submitted to ITD within the 21-day comment period. ITD prepared responses to the comments and submitted the EA to FHWA. The agency issued a ROD, approving the project, in 2005.

When will construction begin?

A construction date has not been determined. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2006. The design team is currently finalizing a number of environmental issues, including an environmental re-evaluation, which will ensure that scientific data on the Byway and the other three segments comprising the North/South project are current with all environmental regulations and policies. Work is also being finalized on right of way acquisition, permits and cultural resources investigation.

Contacts

Idaho Transportation Department,
District 1 - Public Affairs
Barbara Babic
Barbara.Babic@itd.idaho.gov
(208) 772-1288

Sand Creek Byway Project Office
202 N. 2nd Suite B
Sandpoint, ID 83864
tio@sandpoint.net
(208) 265-0897

Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is committed to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related regulations and directives. ITD assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any ITD service, program, or activity. The department also assures that every effort will be made to prevent discrimination through the impacts of its programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations. In addition, the department will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for persons with Limited English Proficiency.