SANDPOINT — The city will begin a paving maintenance project on the seven-block stretch of Pine Street between Division Street and North Boyer Avenue on Monday.

The project will consist of milling two inches of existing asphalt and replacing it with a two-inch overlay, as well as several quality-of-life improvements including bringing the curb ramps up to American with Disability Act’s standards. 

The staff report notes that construction will vary depending on the weather, but lists an expected completion target as mid-November. Sandpoint’s Urban Forester Erik Bush said that the construction Monday will primarily be concrete work, focused on improving the curb ramps.  

"The intention would be to start concrete work, and that work is less affected by weather,” Bush said. “We’ll be looking for that window in early November, about a week, three to five days likely, to get the asphalt removed and replaced. If the weather turns and we don’t get that window, the asphalt will remain as it is for the fall.” 

The contract between the city and Interstate Concrete and Asphalt was unanimously approved at Wednesday’s city council meeting. The staff report states that the project will cost the city $287,596, funded by the resort city tax.  

The staff report said that access to private property on Pine Street will be maintained at all times and residents of the area should receive notice prior to construction beginning. 

At the meeting, Councilor Pam Duquette asked Public Works Director Holly Ellis if there were plans to add any traffic calming initiatives to the street. Ellis said that the city measured the street and that there is adequate space for parking on both sides of Pine Street, which should slow traffic speeds. 

"After this project is done, our crews are going to go out and mark with Ls and Ts, similar to downtown, actually mark out parking stalls,” Ellis said. “That’s going to provide narrower travel lanes which will be traffic calming.” 

Duquette also asked about bringing back "No Truck Route" signs off of Division and Boyer returning. Ellis said that the city is planning on doing signage inventory soon and that it’s something that staff could look into for the future. 

Bush said this project was identified as a high priority for the city in its pavement condition study, which was completed in 2020. He said that its key for the city to maintain the road’s current condition because of its role as an arterial street in Sandpoint. 

Bush said that the project will increase the life span of the asphalt on Pine Street by around 15 to 20 years.