Idaho Transportation Department

Final Environmental Impact Statement Available for Review

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announce the availability of the U.S. 95, Garwood to Sagle Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). This FEIS has been prepared in compliance with the FHWA Environmental Impact and Related Procedures [23 CRF 771]. It evaluates the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with alignment alternatives that would improve 31.5 miles of U.S. 95 in Northern Idaho between the communities of Garwood and Sagle (milepost 438.24 to 469.75). The FEIS provides any needed corrections since the publication of the Draft Environmental Statement (DEIS) and addresses public and agency comments on the DEIS. The FEIS also identifies a Preferred Alternative for U.S. 95 between Garwood and Sagle.

The FEIS can be viewed at the following locations:

ITD District 1, 600 W Prairie Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83815, 208-772-1200
Athol City Hall, 30355 N 3rd St, Athol, ID, 83801, 208-683-2101
Athol Library, 30399 N 3rd St, Athol, ID, 83801, 208-683-2979
Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E Front Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83814, 208-769-2315
Hayden Library, 8385 N Government Way, Hayden, ID, 83835, 208-772-5612
Rathdrum Library, 16780 W Hwy 41, Rathdrum, ID, 83858, 208-687-1029

Transportation Information Office, 202 N. Second Ave, Ste B, Sandpoint, Idaho, 208-265-0897
East Bonner County Library District, 1407 Cedar St, Sandpoint, ID, 83864, 208-263-6930

FHWA, Idaho Division, 3050 Lakeharbor Lane, Ste 126, Boise, ID, 83703, 208-334-1843
Idaho State Library, 325 W State St, Boise, ID, 83702, 208-334-2150
ITD Headquarters, 3311 W State St, Boise, ID, 83703, 208-334-8000

Spokane County Library District, 4322 N Argonne Rd, Spokane, WA, 99212, 509-893-8260
Spokane Public Library, 906 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA, 99201, 509-444-5300

Compact disk copies of the FEIS are available at ITD District 1 in Coeur d’Alene and the Transportation Information Office in Sandpoint or by calling ITD District 1 at 208-772-1288.

Project Recap:

U.S. 95 is an important federal, state and local transportation route serving both local and regional travel and is also part of the National Highway System. Rapid growth in Bonner and Kootenai counties has caused traffic volumes to approach the capacity of the highway, resulting in an increase in the number of accidents. The purpose of the project is to increase capacity in order to accommodate present and future traffic demand and to improve the safety of the existing highway for all users.

The environmental process began in 2002 when ITD initiated a comprehensive analysis of the corridor. This process involved extensive coordination with the public, local officials and agencies, resulting in the publication of the DEIS in December 2006. A public hearing was held in January 2007. The proposed solution is to upgrade the existing predominantly two-lane highway from Garwood to Sagle (milepost 438.24 to 469.75) to a four-lane divided freeway with interchange access only. Frontage roads and/or improvements to local roads would provide access for adjacent properties. U.S. 95 would be upgraded along its current alignment, with some segments of new alignment.

What's Next?:

Following publication of the FEIS, there will be a 30-day review period. The FHWA will then issue a Record of Decision (ROD) which will select the project alternative. The ROD is anticipated in the summer of 2010.