Idaho Transportation Department

Snake River Crossing Study

Study History

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) was prompted by local interest regarding a new Snake River crossing within the Magic Valley area of south central Idaho in the 1990's. A crossing study was initiated in 1999 with the hope that a new corridor might alleviate traffic congestion near the Perrine Bridge and in the Blue Lakes corridor of Twin Falls as well as create another link from U.S. 93 near Twin Falls to Interstate 84.

The Snake River Crossing Plan, published in 2000, examined a number of alternative corridor alignments for a new river crossing and identified a most feasible alternative. The most feasible alternative identified in the 2000 study linked the U.S. 93/30 junction to Interstate 84 near Jerome via 2400 East Road in Twin Falls County and 300 West Road in Jerome County.

Changes in federal and local funding for a potential new river crossing and continued interest in exploring the feasibility of this crossing have prompted a reassessment and update to the 2000 study.

Study Facts

The Snake River Crossing Reassessment, completed in mid-2008, concluded with recommendations to begin extensive planning by Twin Falls County and Jerome County to pursue long-term corridor planning for an additional bridge crossing west of the city of Twin Falls. The recommended strategies are based on the assumption the local governments wish to pursue further action toward another crossing.

Federal Highway Administration restrictions state that additional federal funding cannot be granted until the crossing and corresponding road sections are identified in the transportation plans for both counties and in the ITD Long Range Capital Improvement and Preservation Program.

Study Description

Several key findings have been identified during this study, including:

The number of vehicle trips that would potentially be diverted from either the Perrine Bridge or the Clear Lakes crossing to a new crossing is estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000 per day.
The three existing river crossings at Clear Lakes, Perrine Bridge and Hansen Bridge can accommodate year 2030 cross-river demand. A new crossing will not alleviate traffic congestion on the Blue Lakes Boulevard/Perrine Bridge corridor.
Based on the conclusions of the study, it is recommended that Twin Falls County and Jerome County pursue a long-term new bridge crossing project by amending respective transportation plans to show a new crossing and connecting roadways.
A new bridge and connecting roadway is estimated to cost about $177 million (in 2008 dollars).

Contacts

Connie Jones
Project Manager
(208) 886-7824
Connie.jones@itd.idaho.gov

Nathan Jerke
Public Information
(208) 886-7809
Nathan.jerke@itd.idaho.gov

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.