Briefs March 1, 2011
U.S. 95-Lancaster work delayed
COEUR d'ALENE - The scheduled median closure at U.S. 95 and Lancaster Road has been delayed one week due to weather and material availability.
All left turns will be restricted at the intersection beginning March 9, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The median crossing at the intersection will be closed while crews assemble and put up structures for a traffic signal.
Work requiring the left-turn restrictions is expected to take about one week to complete. When the span over the median is in place, the median will be reopened. Daily closures will occur as work progresses to install the U.S. 95 spans. The median will reopen at night.
Avalanche danger closes Snoqualmie Pass on Monday
Snoqualmie Pass was closed for several hours Monday due to heavy snowfall, high winds, and poor visibility.
The Washington State Department of Transportation closed I-90 from North Bend to Ellensburg late Monday morning when an avalanche about 10 feet deep covered all three westbound lanes of I-90, just west of the summit.
The high risk of avalanche danger, in addition to the spun-out blocking vehicles, forced the shutdown of both directions of traffic, said Todd Trepanier, WSDOT South Central Region Maintenance Engineer.
Eastbound lanes reopened about 5:30 p.m., with chains required on all vehicles except all-wheel drive. Westbound lanes opened around 8 p.m.
The forecast called for continued heavy snowfall through most of today, WSDOT reported that "travel over any Cascade mountain pass will be very challenging."
For updates on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass road conditions visit the website or call 511.
Public hearing on Hayden Lake resort canceled
A public hearing in front of the Kootenai County commissioners over a proposed Hayden Lake private resort has been canceled.
The county will reschedule the March 3 hearing over Nielson Ventures' request for a conditional use permit to build a private, family-owned lakeside resort on 51 acres south of East Henry Point Road, on the northeast shores of Hayden Lake.
Sandy Young of E2 Planning and Design, representing Nielson Ventures, requested the postponement in writing, without providing a reason.
The Nielsons' ancestors claimed the shoreline property on Hayden Lake in 1946 and invested in a large parcel. Descendants have lived and vacationed at Henry Point ever since.
Nielson Ventures LLC, managed by Jeff Nielson, has proposed building up to 28 new homes and cabins in the area over the next 30 years.
Documentary to be shown Wednesday
A citizen education watchdog group is sponsoring a free screening of the documentary film, "Waiting for 'Superman,'" on Wednesday at Coeur d'Alene Public Library.
The film will be shown at 6 p.m. in the library's community room. Viewing is free and open to the public.
In "Waiting for 'Superman,'" filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, who won an Oscar for "An Inconvenient Truth," explores the plight of the American public education system, and some of the ways he believes it is failing children.
The film is sponsored by Idaho Citizens for Better Education, a group comprised of area residents who say they are "concerned about the state of local public education, and ensuring quality education for our children and value to the taxpayers."