Idaho Transportation Department

U.S. 95, Garwood to Sagle Environmental Study

Project Facts:

Project Number: A009(779)
Key Number: 09779

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) completed conceptual plans for the reconstruction of U.S. 95 between the areas of Garwood and Sagle (MP 438.2 to MP 469.7) in northern Idaho.

Record of Decision Issued :

On July 2, 2010 the Federal Highway Administration issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the project. The ROD selects the Modified Brown Alternative (Preferred Alternative) from the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) as the alignment for the U.S. 95 Garwood to Sagle Corridor. The ROD allows ITD to proceed with final design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of the project. The entire text of the ROD can be found by clicking on the link to the right.

The ROD represents the conclusion of eight years of project development, environmental studies, public input and coordination between the Idaho Transportation Department, multiple federal and state agencies, and local governments. The process of designing the highway improvements began in 2002 when ITD initiated a comprehensive study of U.S. 95 between the communities of Garwood and Sagle called an Environmental Impact Statement. The study determined what type of long-term improvements would be needed to increase safety and capacity to meet future travel demands.

Corridor Description:

U.S. 95 is the key north-south link for northern Idaho commerce, transportation, and tourism. Rapid growth in Bonner and Kootenai counties has caused traffic volumes to approach the capacity of the highway. The corridor between Garwood and Sagle needs to be improved in order to safely accommodate projected traffic.

The EIS includes 31.5 miles of U.S. 95 to a four-lane divided freeway with interchange access only. Frontage roads and improvements to local roads will provide access to adjacent properties. The selected U.S. 95 alignment (Modified Brown Alternative) follows the existing highway alignment except for short segments in Athol and Westmond. Interchanges will be constructed at 12 locations along the corridor. The above map shows the corridor and the locations of the interchanges; the map can also be found in the newsletter for August 2010 (click on Newsletter; August 2010). For more detailed maps, click on the maps that accompany the Record of Decision.

Schedule and Funding:

Due to the length of the project and the total estimated cost, it is being constructed in phases. Each phase is constructing elements of the ultimate design until the four lane facility is complete. The initial phase in Chilco and Athol is constructing the four-lane divided highway along the selected alignment, but only some of the frontage roads and interchanges (Chilco Road, Bunco Road, and SH-54). Subsequent phases will construct the remaining frontage roads and interchanges.

The 2006 Idaho Legislature authorized GARVEE funding to complete preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the U.S. 95 Garwood to Sagle Corridor, and to begin right-of-way acquisition for the project. The 2007 Idaho Legislature authorized additional GARVEE funding to complete acquisition of needed right-of-way in the Chilco, Athol, and Sagle areas for the initial phase projects. Remaining funding for construction was authorized by the 2011 Idaho Legislature.

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.