POST FALLS — Post Falls is in step with pedestrian improvements in the central part of the city.

The city received a state grant for $460,659 to construct a sidewalk on the north side of Seltice Way from Idaho Street to Bay Street.

The half-mile stretch is well-used by pedestrians — as evidenced by narrow dirt paths on both sides of the busy road — and has been suggested for improvements by citizens for years, city engineer Bill Melvin said.

"We believe that this will be a tremendous benefit for the community," Melvin said. "There is a complete lack of adequate pedestrian facilities in that portion of the community. Through the years we've heard requests from residents to try to complete this.

"The project seemed to fit the goals of the grant so this grand opportunity came up."

Construction of the pathway will be in 2019.

The city will be responsible for a grant match of 7.34 percent ($36,491), making the total estimated project cost $497,150.

The sidewalk will connect with existing sidewalks at both ends of the project along with the sidewalk over Interstate 90.

The improvement will run from the 7-Eleven gas station on Idaho to Yoke's grocery store at the intersection of Bay and Seltice.

Melvin said in the future, the city will explore building a paved pathway on the south side of Seltice in the same stretch.

The grant is administered by by the state's Transportation Alternatives program.

- Meanwhile, with another pedestrian improvement project, the city will continue working this spring on connecting the Centennial Trail from Lincoln to the community garden. The trail currently goes onto the right of way along Third Street in that stretch, so the project will create a safer route that's also straight.

The project was made possible through a land swap between the city and Idaho Veneer last year. Grading began last fall.

"The idea is to extend the trail so people don't have to go onto Third," said Russ Connole, Post Falls public services director.