Idaho Transportation Department

U.S. 30, Topaz to Lava Hot Springs

Project Facts

Project Number: A010(455)
Key Number: 10455
MP 365.3-369.2

This project widened a 3.3-mile section of U.S. 30 from two to four lanes between Interstate 15 and the Lava Hot Springs community and replaced the bridge over the Portneuf River. The completed project will increase safety and capacity on U.S. 30, a heavily used trucking route. This segment is part of a larger effort to widen 13 miles of U.S. 30 between McCammon and Lava Hot Springs.

Background

U.S. 30 is a vital link for commerce between Wyoming and Idaho. Of the approximately 3,000 vehicles that travel between McCammon and Lava Hot Springs every day, large commercial trucks make up forty percent of the traffic. With improvements, this corridor will safely handle the projected growth to 5,000 vehicles every day by 2024. Prior to improvements, this section was a two-lane facility with occasional center turn lanes. It provided little opportunity to pass safely, making the combination of large trucks and local traffic very dangerous.

Prior to this project becoming a part of the GARVEE Program, District 5 performed the preliminary design, environmental assessment, and achieved an environmental Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) determination in 2002 using formula funds. Formula funds were also used to acquire all right-of-way.

Schedule

The Topaz to Lava Hot Springs project was the first GARVEE project to break ground. It was included in the original GARVEE bonds approved by the 2006 Idaho Legislature, and is part of the larger McCammon to Soda Springs corridor for the GARVEE Transportation Program.

Preliminary design, final design and right-of-way were completed by ITD prior to this project becoming part of the GARVEE Program. Construction began in August 2006 and achieved substantial completion in August 2008.

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.