Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - Page updated at 03:30 PM

Court: Sandpoint highway bypass can go forward

A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the construction of a controversial U.S. 95 bypass in the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho.

By GENE JOHNSON

AP Legal Affairs Writer

SEATTLE —

A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the construction of a controversial U.S. 95 bypass in the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho.

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."

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