PF overpass to stay on front burner

Remaining urban renewal funds, a voter-approved bond, state transportation funds and grants could be used to pay for the multimillion dollar project over I-90.

POST FALLS — The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday night pledged its support to seek ways to make an Interstate 90 overpass at Greensferry Road a reality.

The council requested that a transportation summit involving stakeholders be held at a date to be determined.

The council last year decided to not extend the life of the East Post Falls Urban Renewal District, which would have helped fund an improvement at the location. Council members against the extension said they didn't believe local tax dollars should be spent on a project on federal property.

However, recent citizen surveys indicate that the project should be a priority, which has given it new life.

The Federal Highway Administration recently decided that only an overpass, not a full interchange at the location, would be appropriate.

An overpass was recently estimated to cost between $10 million and $13 million, contingent upon the design.

Remaining funds generated from the urban renewal district, floating a general obligation bond to voters, state transportation funds and grants are among the possible ways the project could be funded.

The project has been explored for about 12 years.