Sandpoint byway set to open Friday morning

The Sand Creek Byway in Sandpoint will open to traffic Friday morning, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. Crews will prepare the road and remove barriers for northbound traffic on the roadway by about 8:30 a.m. By 9 a.m., both northbound and southbound lanes are expected to be open. Crews then will turn their attention to the bike and pedestrian trail along Sand Creek. Everything is expected to be open for use by mid-afternoon, the agency said. The new route for U.S. Highway 95 cost $106.5 million to build. It’s the most expensive state highway project ever in Idaho. The two-mile shortcut around Sandpoint is aimed at relieving downtown of traffic congestion, especially from trucks. Construction began in late 2008. The contractor is Parsons RCI of Sumner, Wash.