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

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is constructing 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, 65 retaining walls, and a pedestrian/bike pathway.

Building an alternate route on U.S. 95 on the eastern side of Sandpoint has been a topic of local interest since the 1940s and has generated considerable debate among supporters and opponents. Several ideas have been discussed in the community over the years, but those ideas didn’t progress beyond the drawing board until 1990 when ITD began considering the U.S. 95 North/South Alternative Route.

As part of the U.S. 95 North/South study, ITD completed environmental analysis of U.S. 95 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 environmental document in 2000.

The 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.

ITD also established its first office dedicated solely to public involvement in downtown Sandpoint in an attempt to distribute project information and answer questions. The office will continue to be a key component in the public information plan used to communicate and update the public during construction.

The contractor for this $98 million project is Parsons RCI, of Sumner, Washington.

Construction will continue into 2012 and represents one of the largest single projects in Idaho transportation history.

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.