POST FALLS - After 20 years of planning, it's finally time to fire up the construction equipment for the Greensferry overpass along Interstate 90 at Post Falls.

Amid the sound of freeway traffic whizzing by, about 100 people attended Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony in blustery conditions for the long-awaited $15 million project between the Highway 41 interchange and the Seltice Way overpass.

"Today is Thanksgiving in advance," said former Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin, who advocated for the project for several years. "This will be a major historical point for Post Falls. We'll finally have another north-south connector. It's been a major effort."

The project, which is being funded by local taxpayer funds generated through the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency, is scheduled to be completed late next summer or early next fall.

"I look forward to driving or walking across it this time next year," said Jerry Baltzell, urban renewal chairman.

The project, which will include two lanes in each direction, bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides, is intended to improve connectivity, traffic mobility and emergency response time between the business districts and residential areas north and south of the interstate. Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction of Draper, Utah, is the general contractor.

Auto dealers Eve Knudtsen of Knudtsen Chevrolet and Mike White of Parker Volkswagon/Subaru attended the ceremony, as their businesses are along Greensferry Road on the north side of the freeway. Both said they support the project and believe it will help business and mobility.

"Whenever you can redirect traffic by a business, it's good for business," White said.

Knudtsen said her company will have to move three signs to make way for the structure, but it will be well worth it. She said she was aware that the overpass would be a strong possibility when the dealership moved to Post Falls from Coeur d'Alene several years ago, so it wasn't a surprise.

"What this will do to help Highway 41 (congestion) will be amazing," she said.

Joe Rosen, a Realtor with Keller Williams, said he expects the project to spark new businesses.

"This will open a lot of economic potential on both sides of the freeway," he said.

At one point, a full interchange was considered, but federal approval couldn't be obtained.

"The overpass was the best alternative," Baltzell said.

Citizens with questions or concerns regarding the project are urged to contact Brad Marshall at JUB Engineers at 755-1862 or bmarshall@jub.com.