Let's get this straight
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 7 years, 10 months AGO
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
HAYDEN — Those dicey days of negotiating the tight curves and old narrow bridge on Highway 53 just west of U.S. 95 are eventually going to get straightened out — literally.
Construction on the bridge replacement and road realignment project is expected to start in spring 2019 and take about a year to complete.
"Highway 53 is a primary east-west corridor for local residents and trucks through a rapidly developing area of North Idaho," said Joey Sprague, Idaho Transportation Department project manager.
"The main purpose of this project is to replace the narrow and structurally deficient railroad bridge, but ITD is also planning for future growth and enhancing traffic flow and safety in the area by realigning the roadway, adding bike facilities and planning for a future interchange."
The project will include replacing the existing 1936 bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad with a new one just south of the current structure, realigning Highway 53 to eliminate two tight corners, adding a center turn lane and extending the bike facilities from Ramsey Road to the trail east of U.S. 95. Currently there are no bike lanes along Highway 53 just west of U.S. 95.
An open house on the project will be on Tuesday, March 14, at the ITD, 600 W. Prairie Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m.
The construction cost is expected to be about $12 million. The total cost, which also includes right-of-way acquisition and design, is expected to be about $15 million. The project will be funded through the Federal Highway Administration.
The final design is expected to be finished by this fall. The project will go to bid in fall 2018.
"This project has been an idea for several years, but the funding wasn't there," said Rusty Leahy, an engineer with David Evans and Associates. "Then the rating on the bridge fell to where it needed replaced, and that's what drove the project forward."
Leahy said the existing bridge is falling into disrepair and has no shoulders.
"It's a narrow road, so it's hazardous for motorists and cyclists," Leahy said.
The new bridge will feature 6-foot shoulders on both sides.
Highway 53 will be realigned so it's at a 90-degree angle to U.S. 95 instead of 45 degrees. As a result, the speed limit will be 45 mph instead of 25.
"This road will be much wider with shoulders and a better guardrail so there should be a reduction in slideoffs," Leahy said.
Visibility will also be improved as a result, making the stretch safer. Some motorists use Old Highway 95 near Garwood as an alternative to access Highway 53 instead of taking the existing curvy and narrow route, but the improvements should make accessing Highway 53 directly from U.S. 95 more inviting, Leahy said.
There have been 70 accidents in the corridor in the past five years, according to ITD. An average of about 5,000 vehicles per day travel the stretch. The volume is projected to reach 8,000 in 20 years.
Leahy said there should be minimal impacts to motorists during construction because the existing roadway will be kept open while the new one is built. Leahy said a bigger challenge may be working around rail traffic during the bridge removal and construction.
The second phase of the project will be to construct an interchange at Highway 53 and U.S. 95. ITD has no timeline or funding for that phase. The interchange has been conceptually designed as an extension of the bridge replacement and realignment project.
Citizens can ask questions or learn more about the project via email at gpuddy@langdongroupinc.com or by calling 292-8515.
Highway 53 project open house
An open house on the Highway 53 bridge replacement and realignment project will be held next Tuesday, March 14, at the Idaho Transportation Department, 600 W. Prairie Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m. The event will be an opportunity to meet the project team, learn about the impacts, ask questions and provide input. No formal presentation will be made. Light refreshments will be provided. Citizens can ask questions or learn more about the project via email at gpuddy@langdongroupinc.com or calling 292-8515.