POST FALLS - An Interstate 90 overpass at Greensferry Road has a flicker of new life.

Providing the spark is citizen comments.

"The strategic plan process has brought this back up, so let's take a look at it," Post Falls City Council member Skip Hissong said.

The city is currently surveying citizens on their priorities and how the local government should spend its money in future years. There has been so much support for a Greensferry overpass aimed at improving mobility and economic development that the City Council will hold a workshop tonight at 5 at City Hall to discuss whether the project should be re-examined.

The Federal Highway Administration recently determined that just an overpass, not a full interchange, would be justified.

The workshop comes about a year after the council voted 3-2 to not extend the life of the East Post Falls Urban Renewal District, which would have helped fund an improvement but some didn't believe local money should help fund a federal project. The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency last month distributed nearly $3.3 million in surplus tax-increment funds from the URD to eight taxing districts.

But Post Falls' Gary Johnson is among those pleased an overpass is getting another look.

"It's something that's really needed to get from the south side of the city to the north side, especially as Post Falls grows," he said.

Supporting the project, which has been in the works for 11 years, is one thing, but how to pay for it is another.

Local officials say there is little hope for any federal funding in the foreseeable future, which means floating a bond to local voters may be discussed if the project catches momentum. Remaining funds from the URD, set to expire in 2015, may be another possibility.

"It makes sense to bring it back for discussion because there's been so much interest," council member Ron Jacobson said.

An earlier cost estimate for an overpass was $20 million.

Meanwhile, construction has started on the I-90 interchange at Beck Road near Cabela's and is expected to be completed around Thanksgiving.

The interchange, estimated to cost $35 million, is the first project in Idaho to utilize the State Tax Anticipated Revenue (STAR) legislation approved in 2007. The legislation allows private developers to initially fund projects before being reimbursed through sales tax revenue from the project.

A pedestrian trail along Highway 41 from Seltice Way to Mullan Avenue, which would utilize urban renewal funds, is on hold, pending a tour by the City Council and urban renewal agency to see if the project should proceed.

The regular City Council meeting starts at 6 tonight.

City Administrator Eric Keck will give a presentation on the recent citizen survey results, while Parks and Recreation Director Dave Fair will give an update on the progress of the revised master parks plan.

There are no public hearings.