Dike Road work is nearly complete

The city of Coeur d'Alene announced Tuesday that transformation of the levee along what is commonly known as Dike Road on the North Idaho College campus is nearing completion.

On Tuesday, crews began hydroseeding the bank leading to Lake Coeur d'Alene and an irrigation system was recently installed, according to a press release.

While the hydroseed establishes itself, the public is asked to use the designated trails and stay off the newly seeded areas. According to the release, the bank will be watered five times a day over the course of several weeks and visitors should be aware that the sprinkler systems will be activated often.

The levee rehabilitation project required the removal of trees to stabilize the bank, which according to the release also provided for more public space, improved access to the water and enhanced views of the water.

"Once the grass is established, the area will be much more user-friendly to people who want to go down there to enjoy themselves," Kim Harrington, assistant project manager, said in the release.

The rehabilitation project was necessary, the release adds, to conform with levee recertification regulation imposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.