A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the construction of a controversial U.S. Highway 95 bypass in the north Idaho resort town of Sandpoint.
A three judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced its decision Wednesday, just two days after hearing arguments in the case. A group of environmental and community activists had asked the judges to reinstate their challenge of the $98 million project, claiming the new Sand Creek Bypass on U.S. 95 would blight the town’s scenic waterfront and destroy the creek that flows through town.
The judges issued only a brief order saying construction could begin, and that a full decision explaining their reasoning would follow “in due course.” (AP)