POST FALLS — It’s full speed ahead toward rebuilding Avista’s 108-year-old South Channel Dam at Post Falls.

Crews on Friday began blasting to widen the trail to the dam so equipment can reach the structure.

Construction on the $13.5 million project on the Spokane River is slated to end in December. Final road work and landscaping will be completed in spring 2015.

“We’re working hard to minimize the impact to the park and on residents, but it’s still a construction zone,” said Debbie Simock, Avista spokeswoman. “There will be traffic and noise. We appreciate people’s patience during the work.”

Simock said the construction work days will be Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but daily morning meetings and shutdown routines will tighten that window in terms of noise.

Blasting on the trail will be intermittent for about two weeks.

Q’emiln Park, including the boat launch, swim area, trail system and pavilion, are expected to be open as normal this summer with limited exceptions.

“But those enjoying the park need to be aware that there will be more traffic due to construction vehicles entering and leaving,” Simock said.

Simock said the project is on schedule, but the biggest factor will be when the spring runoff runs its course.

“That’s when we’ll be able to close the gates and start building the temporary dam,” she said. The temporary dam is needed in order to perform upgrades on the permanent structure.

Simock said if construction falls behind in late summer or fall, there’s a chance crews could work seven days a week to meet the December deadline.

In addition to replacing manual equipment, the project includes removing the original 1906 concrete gate frames and adding new concrete and spillway gates.

The dam is one of three that Avista owns at Post Falls. The North Channel Dam was upgraded in 2004 and the Middle Channel Dam was upgraded in 2012.

For more information on the project, visit www.avistautilities.com/postfalls. There, customers and the public can sign up to receive an e-newsletter from Avista with project updates.