By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — Fifty years after the Greensferry bridge over the Spokane River at Post Falls closed, building another structure at the same location is being explored.

"(The Post Falls Highway District) is in the very preliminary stages of looking at the possibility of building a bridge at Greensferry," said Kelly Brownsberger, the district’s road supervisor. "The district engineer is evaluating the site to make sure a bridge will fit in the existing right of way."

The bridge is among 26 projects listed on the district’s draft project list that will be open for public comments during an open house on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the district office at 5629 E. Seltice Way.

The cost for the bridge is estimated at $8.5 million, but a construction date has not been determined as the district is only exploring the possibility at this point.

"One of the biggest hurdles we’re facing is funding," Brownsberger said. "Currently there is no federal or state grants available to build a new bridge. We are looking into the possibility of passing a bond for construction, but everything is very preliminary right now."

The old bridge was closed in September 1967 because it was in poor condition. It was dismantled in 1971.

Proponents of building another bridge there say it would improve mobility in that area as the only way to access south side of the river from Post Falls is the Spokane Street bridge. The Greensferry bridge would also improve emergency response and delivery of goods and services.

If the bridge were to become reality, motorists could travel from the south side of the river to the Rathdrum Prairie in a straight shot with the Greensferry overpass that was constructed over Intestate 90 two years ago.

A high-profile project the district is embarking on is a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Pleasantview Road and Prairie Avenue, a spot notorious for serious accidents and fatalities in recent years.

At one point, there were 14 accidents at the intersection in 10 months.

"Design of the roundabout is just getting started with construction scheduled in 2020," Brownsberger said, adding that the cost is estimated at $1.2 million.

Right of way will be purchased as part of the project, Brownsberger said.

"The district did an evaluation of possible improvements at the intersection, including a traffic signal," Brownsberger said. "We went with a roundabout because of the proven reduction in crashes that a roundabout provides. A traffic signal does not prevent the high-speed angle crashes that have been happening in the intersection.

"Also, with all the overhead clutter from all the power lines along with rail crossings in the area, it would be very easy to miss a traffic signal."

The roundabout will be designed to accommodate large trucks, Brownsberger said.

"There is currently a lot of truck traffic on Pleasantview from Highway 53 to Interstate 90 and the district commissioners have insisted that the roundabout be designed to handle large trucks," he said.

The highway district earlier made a series of improvements at the intersection to reduce accidents, including adding rumble strips, flashing lights, additional signage, larger-than-normal stop signs and surface leveling.

Another roundabout on Prairie Avenue — at Chase Road — was slated for construction last year but was bumped when the bids were twice the engineer’s estimate. Brownsberger said the district has applied for state funding for the $1 million project and, if approved, it is expected to be built starting late spring.

"This will have a major impact on traffic because the intersection will be closed during construction,” he said. "We are going to keep the closure as short as possible, but it could be closed for up to 60 days."

Another project planned for this year is a $400,000 widening and overlay of Huetter Road from Prairie to Mullan Avenue.

"This will cause some short-term traffic delays," Brownsberger said.

At the open house, residents will be able to review all of the projects and comment on how they’re rated by the district.