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Drivers will need route of their own

A cyclist bypasses Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d''Alene Friday afternoon as the finish line bleachers forced commuters to one of several detours for the Ironman race this Sunday. (Brian Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
From staff reports
A cyclist bypasses Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d''Alene Friday afternoon as the finish line bleachers forced commuters to one of several detours for the Ironman race this Sunday. (Brian Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

Parking is plentiful and navigating around the closed streets shouldn’t keep people from watching the Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene triathlon Sunday, organizers say.

Yet they caution people to plan ahead and stay cautious.

The course stretches from Higgens Point to Liberty Lake with the finish line on Sherman Avenue. The nearly 2,000 athletes swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and then run 26.2 miles.

Front Street will remain open, giving drivers access to downtown. People can park in the Fourth Street parking lot and use the Third Street boat launch.

The 7 a.m. event kicks off downtown at City Beach, and the winning Ironman competitor is expected to cross the finish line about 3 p.m.

To get to downtown Coeur d’Alene on race day, 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.

Motorists are urged to park in residential areas north of Coeur d’Alene Avenue and east of Northwest Boulevard.

Portions of Sherman, Coeur d’Alene and Lakeside avenues will be closed from 4 a.m. to midnight. Northwest Boulevard will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., as will the Four Corners intersection of Northwest Boulevard and Government Way.

Once the intersection reopens about 5:30 p.m., drivers can park at North Idaho College.

Although 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.

State Highway 41 intersection at Poleline is the biggest concern. The intersection will remain open, with flaggers directing traffic.

Long delays are expected and drivers should opt for alternate routes.

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

Sections of the Centennial Trail from Liberty Lake to the Post Falls Greyhound Park and Events Center also will be closed because cyclists are using the path.