PRIEST RIVER — The street configuration of Fourth and Wisconsin currently results in an offset intersection at Highway 2.

While in the early planning stages, the project to reconstruct and realign a portion of Wisconsin Street will ultimately line up the two streets across Highway 2.

"The overall goal is safety at that intersection," said Matt Gillis of Welch Comer Engineers, the city's contractor for the project. "Any time that we can take a nonstandard intersection, which is what we have here, and make it standard, we reduce uncertainty of drivers, and that drives up safety."

The project, which focuses on the portion of Wisconsin between High Street and Highway 2, also aims to improve pedestrian access. Though it has yet to be designed, Gillis said it will, at a minimum, include sidewalks on both sides of the street. It could potentially include on-street parking. However, Gillis said, parking is one of the things engineers and city officials would like to hear public comment on during upcoming outreach efforts. The first public meeting is scheduled for Aug. 23 as the city and engineers seek to garner input prior to designing the project.

The project is estimated at $1,217,000, said Laurel Thomas, city clerk and treasurer. The majority of cost is covered by a federal grant administered through the Local Highway Transportation Assistance Council. The federal funds of $1,127,673 cover 92.66 percent of the estimated cost, Thomas said, leaving the city with a 7.34 percent match of $89,327.

Gillis said it could be up to three years before construction begins, in part because they have to follow strict protocol as a federally funded project

The project will also dovetail the city's downtown revitalization project, for which Welch Comer is the contractor as well. Some of the improvements include colorful foliage and updated lighting, expanding the sidewalks, putting utility lines underground, and improving stormwater runoff.

The Aug. 23 public meeting will be held in an open house format, and the public is encouraged to stop by anytime between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Priest River City Hall, 552 High St. The purpose of the meeting is to solicit public comments and answer questions regarding the Wisconsin improvement project.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.