This updated website reflects the current status of the project and provides information about the project and its development.
See the Latest Project Newsletter for an update on the project status.
Latest Article (The Spokesman-Review): On the Road to improvement, Lake project runs ahead of schedule
Project Background
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in partnership with the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (IPNF), the East Side Highway District (ESHD), and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) proposes to reconstruct or resurface 17.2 km (10.7 mi) of Fernan Lake Road.
Idaho Forest Highway 80 (ID PFH 80), commonly known as Fernan Lake Road, is a two-lane paved road between the City of Coeur d'Alene and Fernan Saddle in the IPNF. Fernan Lake Road is the most heavily used road on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District. ITD records show it has a much higher accident rate than similar roads statewide. ESHD reports it has the poorest conditions of all the roads it maintains. The road was constructed in the 1930s and has been improved over the years, but lacks stormwater treatment to protect the water quality of Fernan Lake and Creek.
Public Purpose
The overall purpose of the project is to improve, reasonably and cost effectively, the safety of Fernan Lake Road, while minimizing adverse impacts to sensitive environmental resources. The three primary reasons to construct the build alternative are:
- To maintain an efficient transportation link between the City of Coeur d'Alene and IPNF at Fernan Saddle that safely accommodates traffic projected through 2026.
- To upgrade stormwater treatment along Fernan Lake Road to protect water quality in Fernan Creek and Fernan Lake.
- To provide a roadway that can be reasonably maintained in a sustainable manner by ESHD.
Project Decision
The Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) of the FHWA issued a Record of Decision in August of 2005 selecting Alternative G as described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Fernan Lake Road Safety Improvement Project in Kootenai County, Idaho. The decision was based on the results of environmental and socioeconomic analysis, and consideration of input from the public and other agencies. The project also required developing a Memorandum of Agreement between FHWA and Idaho State Historic Preservation Office for cultural and historic resource impacts, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurrence with the Biological Assessment for the project for impacts to Endangered Species. Implementation of the selected Alternative will also require a number of state and federal permits.
Alternative G closely follows the existing road and includes a curved bridge at Lilypad Bay. From the beginning of the road to Milepost 2.2, along the north shore of Fernan Lake, the sharp curves will be straightened and a consistent width obtained with hillside cuts to minimize lakeside impacts, though the eroding lake edge will be armored where necessary. From Milepost 2.2 to Milepost 5.0, along the west side of lower Fernan Creek, the road, consistent width and roadway improvements will be implemented with an alignment that minimizes impacts to Fernan Creek and adjacent wetlands. The rest of the road up to Milepost 10.7, along upper Fernan Creek will be repaved on the existing alignment.
Implementing this alternative will meet the purpose of the project by providing extensive safety improvements to the road while minimizing impacts. In addition to the improved integrity of the roadway, the design and mitigation features allow for a number of other benefits. Among these are improved parking and recreational access, opening the connection between Lilypad Bay and Fernan Lake, reducing runoff from the road to the Lake, enhancements to Fernan Creek, and minimized new ground disturbance and right of way acquisition needs.
For more information on the project decision, background, and purpose, see the links to the Record of Decision and FEIS.
Contact Us
For more information contact:
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
WESTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION
610 East Fifth Street
Vancouver, WA 98661-3801
Project Email: fernanlake@mail.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov.