SANDPOINT — The U.S. Highway 95 bypass’ close proximity to a densely populated area is keeping daily construction work from starting earlier or finishing later, according to Idaho Transportation Department officials.

Parsons RCI’s contract with ITD allows Sand Creek Byway work to be done from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Work on the rerouting project has been causing significant traffic delays for morning commuters and raised the question of starting sooner or extending work further into the evening.

But ITD officials said the current work hours are unlikely to change because most of the project is being built in an urbanized area.

“That’s the commitment we’ve made,” ITD Project Engineer Ken Sorensen said.

There is speculation that city ordinance and contractors’ aversion to overtime had influenced the rigid work window.

However, city law permits nuisance noise between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. Additionally, Parsons has expressed interest in extending the work day past 7 p.m., Sorensen said.

Parsons has not made a formal request to work later and Sorensen said such a request would likely be denied.

“Most of this job is in urban areas, so it would have to be a pretty critical request or criteria in order to work nights,” he said.

Although the area at the north end of the project is less densely populated, Sorensen said there are no plans to amend construction work hours.

“The only thing that’s set up to be night work in this job is to set up girders at the south end,” he said.

The noise of pile driving has generated complaints from those who live or work near the creek since construction began.

The driving of production pile for the byway’s mainline bridge is still ongoing.

Major excavation on both sides of Highway 200 east of the U.S. 95 turnoff is ongoing. Traffic controls and flaggers will be used to help keep traffic flowing, according to ITD.

Detailed construction updates can be found on the Web (itd.idaho.gov/Projects/D1).