Government Way span to open by Saturday

The Government Way Bridge may be open this morning and will definitely be open by Saturday.

Construction crews were trying to complete the bridge over Interstate 90 by 8 p.m. Thursday, said Idaho Transportation Department spokeswoman Barbara Babic.

The span has been closed for about a year during construction to replace a bridge built in 1958.

The deteriorating bridge was too narrow and too low, causing oversize trucks to hit it on I-90 below.

The new four-lane bridge cost $2.6 million.

Nearby business owners will celebrate the opening with a caravan across the bridge at 2 p.m. today, said Klassic Kuts owner Jeanette Delia.

On Saturday, the businesses will host a free street fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a magic act, popcorn, face-painting and more at the Northwind Plaza, 2415 N. Government Way.

– Amy Cannata

Cash offered for tips on tacks on roads

Secret Witness of Kootenai County is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who placed tacks on roadways Aug. 5, injuring athletes and damaging bicycles during the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon.

Victims reported that the tacks were on the bicycle route of the course on Mullan Trail Road, Sunnyside Road, Bonnell Road, Borley Road and Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive. Competitors suffered flat tires on their bicycles as a result of punctures from the tacks. At least one bicyclist was injured when her front tire suddenly deflated and she was thrown over the handlebars.

A large, double-sided, green-and-white Coeur d’Alene Triathlon sign belonging to the Chamber of Commerce and describing the race route was stolen from the intersection of Mullan Trail Road and Interstate 90.

Anyone with any information on the crimes is asked to call (208) 667-2111 or (866) 667-2111. Callers are asked to use a code name or number and do not have to give their own name to be eligible for a cash reward.

– Staff reports

Bonners Ferry

Meeting planned to discuss flooding

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting Sept. 6 in Bonners Ferry to review June floods that topped levies and threatened to flood the city.

Record temperatures, rapid snowmelt and significant rain contributed to flooding in the Kootenai Valley in June. The Kootenai River reached more than 2 1/2 feet over flood stage at Bonners Ferry.

The corps will meet with local government officials and others who have a stake in the river and its management. Representatives of the Northwest River Forecast Center, National Weather Service, NOAA Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will attend.

The meeting will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Kootenai River Inn, 7169 Plaza St.

For information, call Nola Leyde, with Army Corps of Engineers public affairs, at (206) 764-6896.

– Staff reports