Mullan expansion starts soon
POST FALLS – Now is the time to start looking for an alternate route.
Construction crews have begun preparation work on a Post Falls project to improve Mullan Avenue from Idaho Street to Highway 41, and heavy-duty work will be under way by the end of the month.
The $3 million project will repave Mullan Avenue between Idaho Street and Greensferry Road and expand Mullan Avenue from three lanes to five lanes from Greensferry to Highway 41. Of that cost, about $1.1 million was spent on engineering, design and right-of-way acquisition. Part of the project is being funded by the Idaho Transportation Department.
“The asphalt plants won’t open until April, but there is some prep work they can do in March,” said Post Falls City Engineer Bill Melvin.
The city last week sent neighboring property owners letters informing them about the upcoming work. Crews are surveying the roadway to determine where fences and trees will have to be moved or removed. They are also preparing to relocate some utilities.
Access will be maintained to homes and businesses along Mullan Avenue throughout the project, but drivers may experience some delays, said Jason Johnson, project manager for contractor Knife River.
When asked if he expected any complications, Johnson said the only challenge he anticipates is keeping traffic moving in and out of the busy Wal-Mart parking lot.
Drivers make about 14,000 trips a day on Mullan Avenue near its intersection with Highway 41, said Post Falls Assistant City Engineer Robert Palus. About 10,000 to 12,000 trips per day are made on the western end of the project at Idaho Street.
“We do anticipate traffic to continue to grow,” Palus said, adding that the improvements will accommodate that growth for the next 20 years.
Mullan Avenue is one of Post Falls’ key east-west routes. Through traffic not bound for any destination along Mullan Avenue might find a faster route during construction by moving to another east-west arterial, such as 12th Avenue or Seltice Way, Palus said.
“When it’s done it will be better for all the traffic in the area,” Johnson said.
Knife River has until the end of September to finish the project.