Idaho (S.H.) 44 Corridor Preservation Study

Idaho (S.H.) 44 Corridor Preservation Study

Study Facts

Key Number: 7827
Project Number: STP3320(101)

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) are working together on the Idaho 44 Corridor Preservation Study. The study area is between Eagle Road and Interstate 84 in Canyon County and includes the area south of Idaho 44 to the Boise River and north to Floating Feather Road.

Planning

Transportation planning is an important component of this study. It allows ITD and COMPASS to:

Develop safety and congestion management strategies in the corridor area, including limiting access to the highway
Identify opportunities to accommodate alternative transportation modes, such as transit, cycling and walking
Identify strategies to preserve right-of-way
Prioritize proposed improvements
Assure consistency between the corridor plan and the land use comprehensive plans for the cities and counties

Engineering Design

The engineers will propose a variety of typical section alternatives. A typical section is a cross section of the highway. It shows:

Number of lanes
Shoulder width
Medians
Roadside features, such as curb, gutter, sidewalks, pathways, landscaping and lighting

The engineers will determine the costs and property impacts of the various alternatives.

Environmental Review

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that an environmental review be completed before right-of-way can be acquired with federal funds. The Idaho 44 Corridor Preservation Study will result in an environmental review that identifies impacts to:

Local land use
Community facilities and businesses
Cultural and historical resources
Noise and air quality
The natural environment

The engineers will determine the costs and property impacts of the various alternatives.

Study Background

Idaho 44 lies in an important east/west corridor that connects Ada and Canyon counties. Idaho 44 runs from the city of Eagle, through the downtown areas of Star and Middleton, and ends at I-84 in Canyon County. The highway is one of only three east/west highways carrying traffic between Ada and Canyon counties.

Land along the highway is being developed at a rapid rate. Farms and dairies are becoming subdivisions and businesses, creating more traffic.

ITD and COMPASS are working together to ensure that Idaho 44 remains a vital east/west highway.

Study Description

Several key documents will be completed during this study, including:

A corridor plan that identifies future right-of-way needs and proposed lane configurations. A corridor plan is a series of recommendations for managing and improving the transportation system within a specific corridor, based on a 20-year forecast.
An approved environmental document that will evaluate possible impacts to: agricultural resources, air quality, native plants and animals, cultural and historical resources, geology and soils, hazardous and toxic materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, noise, mineral resources, and recreation.
An access management plan. Access management describes a set of design techniques that state and local governments use to control access to highways, major arterials and other roadways.

Make Comments

The Idaho Transportation Department values your input. Submit written comments using one of the forms below or contact for more information.
·Email Us please include your name and address
·Download a comment form (word doc)

Contacts

Aaron Bauges, Project Manager
aaron.bauges@itd.idaho.gov
(208) 334-8964

Don Matson, COMPASS Principal Planner and Project Manager
dmatson@compassidaho.org
(208) 855-2558 ext. 230

Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is committed to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related regulations and directives. ITD assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any ITD service, program, or activity. The department also assures that every effort will be made to prevent discrimination through the impacts of its programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations. In addition, the department will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for persons with Limited English Proficiency.