Cda Gets State Funds To Redo Northwest Blvd.

State transportation officials Wednesday presented Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Judy a $2.5 million check for half of the cost to reconstruct Northwest Boulevard.

John McHugh, who represents North Idaho on the state transportation board, and Scott Stokes, the state’s area engineer, both presented the check to Judy.

Judy praised the state for finding the money quickly. The city will pay for the other half of the $5 million project that will improve the entrance to Coeur d’Alene.

With funding in place, the project remains on track to be finished about the same time as the new Interstate 90 interchange with Northwest Boulevard, Judy said.

The plan calls for the complete reconstruction of Northwest Boulevard from the I-90 interchange to Sherman Avenue.

The project would split the street with a median and include trees planted along the edges and, at some points, in the middle of the boulevard.

Utility lines would be relocated underground. New signs would give better directions to North Idaho College. And a light would be installed and improvements would be made at Lincoln Way, creating a new entrance to the college campus.