Input sought on Greensferry overpass
POST FALLS - If you have input about the future Greensferry overpass in Post Falls, now is your chance to hop on board.
An open house on the project, expected to cost between $17 million and $19 million, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 4-6 p.m. at the Post Falls Police Department, 1717 E. Polston Ave.
Construction is expected to begin in 2014 and take six to nine months to build.
"We need to allow the citizens the opportunity to know more about the process and timing of the project," said Tom Lien, Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency executive director. "If they have concerns after knowing more, then we want them to know that we value their input.
"Also, we would like to have input relative to what form and amount of communications they would like to see as the project goes along. We get a lot of questions from folks because this is a big project for the community with a lot of benefit. It is great to see their interest and support."
Open house attendees can stop by any time during the event as no formal presentations will be held.
The Interstate 90 overpass on Greensferry Road between the Highway 41 interchange and the Seltice Way off-ramp will be built to improve mobility between the north and south sides of the city and emergency response. It has been in the works for about 15 years.
The overpass will likely include pedestrian lanes.
"(The project) should prove to be a positive addition to the economy and vitality of Post Falls," Lien said, adding that it will connect two business districts
Comments about the project can also be sent to greensferry@jub.com or by calling 755-1862. Comments will be accepted through Oct. 10.
The project is being funded through the URA.
The East Post Falls District has about $5 million in the bank to jumpstart the project. The URA earlier received a commitment for a $13 million loan from Washington Trust Bank.
The Post Falls City Council last December extended the life of the East Post Falls Urban Renewal District from 2015 to 2022. The overpass site is in the URD.
With urban renewal districts, incremental taxes that are paid based on the higher assessed values after development are remitted to the urban renewal agency and are, in turn, paid to the proponent for the cost of the infrastructure to improve the district.
The URA in July tapped JUB Engineers to perform a feasibility report, preliminary engineering, utility agreements and public involvement coordination to formally kick off the project.
As the owner's representative for the project, JUB will also assist this winter in finding a builder for the project and work on the early stages of right of way acquisition. JUB will determine the criteria for the builder to meet.
It is believed that right of way on both sides of the freeway will need to be acquired, but that won't be finalized until preliminary engineering is complete.