Getting around town during Ironman

City Streets, CDA Press June 17

Participating in a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run is definitely a challenge. But have you tried getting around Coeur d'Alene during Ironman?

After slightly more than a decade of races, many of us know what to expect: Road closures and detours at every turn. This year is no different. Beginning Thursday, the barricades and detour signs go up in preparation for this year's big race on Sunday.

"A lot of work goes into getting ready for this race," Coeur d'Alene Street Superintendent Tim Martin said. "Our top priority is to protect the athletes who will be using the roadways. At the same time, we want to help motorists get to where they need to go."

Street crews will set up barricades and detours between Second Avenue and Independence Point from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Here's what to expect:

• Southbound traffic into the downtown area will be detoured onto Lakeside Avenue to Second, Third or Fifth streets to reach Sherman Avenue. Resort traffic should use First Street.
• Westbound traffic on Sherman will be limited to local business access only to Second Street. These vehicles will need to loop around and exit the downtown on Fourth Street or Lakeside Avenue.
• Second Street at Sherman will be closed to northbound traffic. This area has been congested in the past. Since it's an Idaho Transportation Department bypass route, the city has always chosen to close traffic northbound and to leave it open to Resort southbound traffic.
• The bleachers on Sherman will be set up at 5 p.m. on Thursday and will remain in place until Monday, June 24.
• The Independence Point parking lot will also close at 5 p.m. Thursday so medical tents and Ironman booths can be set up. Traffic signals at Second and Sherman will change to red flash mode and the signals at Lakeside and Independence Point will be turned off. 

It's also important to note that the parking lot "A" located off Northwest Boulevard and Hubbard will close early Wednesday and reopen on Thursday, June 27. Mullan Avenue from 17th to 23rd streets will be a no-parking zone on the north side on Saturday, completely closed to traffic until Monday, June 24.

Expect traffic delays on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive from Sherman to the Higgens Point boat launch during the bike portion of the race, particularly during peak hours of 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cyclists will be riding in both north and southbound lanes during this time. U.S. 95 will also be affected from Hubbard Avenue southbound to milepost 408 (Missile Base Road). Speeds will be reduced to 45 miles per hour.

The good news, Martin said, is there will be free public parking off River and Mullan, as well as in the City Hall parking lot. Free shuttle service will be provided.

"We want to remind drivers to be cautious on the roads," Martin said. "And to all the athletes participating in the big race, the city of Coeur d'Alene wishes you good luck!"

Free Shuttle Service in Downtown CdA Begins Saturday, June 15th

A free shuttle bus will begin operating in downtown Coeur d’Alene every day beginning Saturday, June 15th through Sunday, September 1st. The shuttle will pick up passengers at the south lot at City Hall and at the graded lot on Northwest Boulevard near Memorial Field. Both lots offer free parking. The shuttle service is the result of a partnership between the Downtown Association, Kootenai County, Citylink, and the City of Coeur d’Alene.

If you park in the lot off Northwest Boulevard, walk over to the small white building directly north of the Skateboard Park and across from the Spokesman Review Building to catch the shuttle. Disabled parking is also available at that location for access to the shuttle. The shuttle will make a repeating loop from the Northwest Boulevard lot, stopping along Lakeside at 2nd and 6th Streets, the south lot at City Hall, and then returning to the Northwest Boulevard Lot with stops on Lakeside at 6th, 4th and 2nd Streets. The loop will repeat from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Look for the special downtown bus that says Welcome to Coeur d’Alene!

Free shuttle starts Saturday!

Passenger pick-up off Northwest Blvd.

A free shuttle bus will begin operating downtown this Saturday through September 1. It will pick up passengers at the south lot at City Hall and at the graded lot on Northwest Boulevard near Memorial Field. Both lots are free!

If you park in the lot off Northwest Boulevard, walk up to the former chicken diner, which is on Northwest and Garden Street (see photo at right). That’s where the disabled parking is available to access the shuttle. From there, the bus will make two stops along Lakeside at Second and Sixth streets, then over to the City Hall lot with three return stops on Lakeside (Sixth, Fourth and Second streets) 6^th, 4^th, and 2^nd) and finally back to Northwest Boulevard.  

The loop will repeat from 9:30 a.m. till 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The shuttle service runs through Labor Day and is free! The shuttle bus is a partnership between the Downtown Association, Kootenai County, Citylink, and the City. Look for the special downtown bus that says Welcome to Coeur d’Alene.

Library Offers Free Summer Movies for Kids

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library is the place for reading this summer, but it is also the place

for free children’s movies.

The Summer Reading Program includes Monday Movies in the Shirley Parker Storyroom in the Seagraves Children’s Library on the lower level, 702 E. Front Ave. The screenings are scheduled for 1 p.m. and include:

► June 17: “Over the Hedge,” rated PG.

► June 24: “Veggie Tales: Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything,” rated G.

► July 1: “James and the Giant Peach,” rated PG.

► July 8: “Brave,” rated PG.

► July 15: “Holes,” rated PG.

► July 22: “Land Before Time” and “Land Before Time II,” rated G.

► July 29: “Scooby Doo in Where’s My Mummy,” rated G.

Licensing for free movies at the library is funded by the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation.

Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315. For more library information visit cdalibrary.org. The library is a department of the City of Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Cooperative Information Network, cinlibraries.org. Library Director, Bette Ammon. Library hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8

Lecture Series Concludes With Migration

A discussion of migration to and within the Idaho Territory will wrap of the lecture series the Coeur d’Alene Public Library marking the 150th anniversary of the creation of the territory.

The program, Thursday, June 27, at 7 p.m., in the Community Room at the library, 702 E. Front Ave, is part of “The Road to Statehood” series. The series is offered in conjunction with the featured exhibit at the Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd., “Shaping the Handle: Idaho Territory 1863-1890.” The museum is open through Oct. 31.

 “Idaho Migration and Settlement,” will be presented by Dr. Ron Hatzenbuehler from Idaho State University.

The Idaho Territory, encompassing what are now the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, was formed during the American Civil War with the blessings of Abraham Lincoln. By 1868 the territory would be reduced to the current size of the state. Statehood itself would not come until 1890.

Earning masters and doctorate degrees in history at Kent State University, Hatzenbuehler has taught at Idaho State University since 1972. In addition to a teaching career of nearly four decades, he has written and lectured to the general public on Idaho population trends, migration, political history, and the legacies of presidents.

Over the years, he has served on the advisory boards for Idaho State University Press, for ISU’s magazine Rendezvous, and for the Idaho State Historical Society magazine Idaho Yesterdays. In 2006, he published “I Tremble for My Country: Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Gentry” to much critical praise. In 2008 he received the Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities Award, given annually by the Idaho Humanities Council.

According to David Townsend, Communications Coordinator for the library, a follow-up lecture series is being considered for the fall.

“We have had a great response to these lectures and there are scholars and amateur historians we know of who have more to say on the subject,” he said.

The series is funded through a grant from the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The participation of Hatzenbuehler is made possible by funding from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315. For more library information visit cdalibrary.org. The library is a department of the City of Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Cooperative Information Network, cinlibraries.org. Library Director, Bette Ammon. Library hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. For regular updates follow the library on Facebook and Twitter.