Drivers should plan for Ironman twists

Various roads and streets stretching from Coeur d’Alene to Liberty Lake will be closed Sunday because they are part of the Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene race course.

To get to downtown Coeur d’Alene, the hub of Ironman activity, drivers are advised to use 15th Street as the main north-south route. Third and Fourth streets also will be open to Coeur d’Alene Avenue.

Portions of Sherman, Coeur d’Alene and Lakeside avenues will be closed from 7 a.m. to midnight.

Northwest Boulevard also will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as will the Four Corners intersection of Northwest Boulevard and Government Way.

There will be reduced lanes on U.S. Highway 95, from the Northwest Boulevard overpass to the turnoff for East Riverview Drive. The Blackwell Boat launch will remain open.

East Riverview Drive and Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive will be open only to local traffic.

In Post Falls, the bike race will reduce the lanes on Poleline Road from Compton Street to Huetter Road.

Post Falls police Chief Cliff Hayes said the state Highway 41 intersection at Poleline is the biggest concern. The intersection will remain open, with flaggers directing traffic. Long delays are expected, and Hayes said drivers should opt for alternative routes.

He suggested that drivers coming from the north trying to get to Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Spokane use Highway 53 or take Prairie Avenue and go east or west to avoid Highway 41. The recently opened Pleasantview Road stretching between Seltice Way and Highway 53 is another alternative to Highway 41.

Huetter Road from Poleline Road to Seltice Way will be closed, except to residents, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Seltice Way from Huetter Road to Northwest Boulevard also will be closed. Seltice Way west of Huetter Road will remain open and is the only main street in Post Falls not affected by the Ironman route. Sections of the Centennial Trail from Liberty Lake to Post Falls Greyhound Park and Events Center also will be closed because cyclists are using the path.

Parking isn’t expected to be a problem this year. Organizers moved the finish line to Sherman Avenue so Front Street remains open, giving drivers even more access to downtown. Because Front Street is open, people can park in the Fourth Street parking lot and use the Third Street boat launch.

Coeur d’Alene isn’t offering a shuttle service this year.