Overview
As part of a long-term plan to make US-95 safer and easier to use, ITD is planning a project near Parks Road to build a frontage road network. This project follows the goals of a 2010 study that looked at how to handle more traffic and improve safety along the highway between Garwood and Sagle.
The project will remove direct left turns onto and off of US-95 at Parks Road, which will help reduce crashes and keep traffic moving more smoothly. Instead, new frontage roads will connect local drivers to the highway using nearby interchanges at Athol and Bunco. These changes also prepare the area for a possible future interchange at Parks Road.
Background
In 2010 ITD completed an environmental impact study that proposed improvements to approximately 31.5 miles of US-95 between Garwood and Sagle. The purpose of the study was to develop future plans that would increase the capacity of US-95 to accommodate increasing traffic demands and improve safety of the existing highway for all users.
Since that time, and guided by the 2010 EIS document, ITD has completed several projects through the corridor such as expanding US-95 to a high speed, four-lane, divided highway, reconstructing Granite Hill, and adding an overpass at Garwood.
This project will be another step in the process! The environmental impact statement identified the US-95 and Parks Road area as a location for a future interchange. However, to address safety concerns, ITD is building this project to capitalize on the opportunity to coordinate with the Lakes Highway District on its Old Highway 95 realignment project. This coordinated effort helps ensure the work being done now will be compatible with a future interchange.
Purpose and benefits
In keeping with the vision of the 2010 EIS document, The Idaho Transportation Department has begun planning for a project on US-95 near Parks Road that will construct frontage roads for access north to Athol and south to the Bunco Interchange.
This change will eliminate left turn movements from Parks Road onto US-95 to increase safety and reduced crashes as traffic volume and population continues to increase in the local area. This change will also eliminate left turns from US-95 onto Parks Road in either direction.
Expanding accessibility through frontage roads will also serve as a relief valve for congestion caused by traffic headed to and from Silverwood Theme Park. By extending the existing frontage road on the east side of US-95 to connect with Parks Road, an alternative route for access to Silverwood will be created.
Constructing frontage roads are the first phase of development for future compatibility with an interchange that is slated for eventual construction at Parks Road. Data suggests that frontage roads will adequately address safety concerns for this intersection for the foreseeable future.
No project is currently programmed to build a full interchange at this time.
Functionality
As traffic increases and safety concerns grow along this stretch of US-95, changes to how drivers access Parks Road and nearby properties are necessary. Below you will find detailed descriptions of how specific movements will be handled through the new project design.
This project will also restrict private property access to US-95 south of Athol near Silverwood and divert local traffic to the frontage roads to access southbound US-95 from Parks Road or northbound US-95 from the Athol Interchange.
- Parks Road west of US-95
- LEFT TURNS: Drivers wishing to access US-95 from the west and travel north will use a newly constructed frontage road that will extend from Parks Road north to Athol to utilize the SH-54 interchange and continue north.
- RIGHT TURNS: Drivers will be able to access southbound US-95 from Parks Road by completing a right turn directly onto the highway.
- Parks Road east of US-95
- LEFT TURNS: Drivers wishing to access southbound US-95 from the east will use a newly constructed frontage road that will extend from Parks Road south and tie in with the existing east-side frontage that dead-ends near Pope Road. Drivers will continue to the interchange at Bunco Road and merge onto southbound US-95.
- RIGHT TURNS: Drivers will be able to access northbound US-95 from Parks Road by completing a right turn directly onto the highway.
- US-95
- LEFT TURNS: Drivers will no longer be able to turn off of US-95 in either the northbound or southbound lanes. Access to Parks Road for highway drivers will be accomplished by exiting at Athol to the north, or Bunco to the south, and utilizing frontage roads.
- RIGHT TURNS: Drivers will continue to have the ability to turn right off of US-95 onto Parks Road in both directions.
How we got here
Before developing the design improvements at the US-95 and Parks Road intersection, ITD conducted a thorough evaluation of the area. A detailed and data-driven process was utilized to balance the needs of the traveling public with the impacts to nearby properties and the surrounding environment. The following categories were included in the analysis:
- Safety, traffic operations and flow
- Connectivity and constructability
- Right-of-way impacts
- Access
- Cost
- Environmental considerations
- Stakeholder input
Frontage roadway details
The new frontage roads will have two lanes that are 12 feet wide with side shoulders which will help accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. Frontage roads will be designed to meet current roadway standards. A frontage road will be constructed from Parks Road to where Lawrence Road currently dead-ends, which will complete the local road network on the east side of US-95 south all the way to SH-53.
Private approaches
Private approaches that intersect the new frontage roads will be updated to maintain access.
Community input
Community input plays a vital role in shaping projects like this one, helping the design team understand local needs, concerns, and priorities. Feedback received during the design phase helps refine project elements and ensures the final design reflects the values of those who live, work, and travel through the area. ITD hosted a public meeting in summer of 2025 to present design options and gather input from the community. You can view the information presented at that public meeting online.
Frequently Asked Questions
After reviewing the feedback received from the 2025 public meeting, there were some common questions and themes identified. The following FAQ guide will help to address and answer some of those concerns.
ITD used standard engineering and roadway design practices to identify early property impacts. The design team worked to balance several needs, including improving safety, planning for future traffic growth, and limiting impacts to nearby properties as much as possible. The current design also considers how a future interchange could fit at this location. While current traffic volumes don’t justify the cost of building the full Parks Road Interchange now, ITD’s long range plan includes one. Planning for safety improvements and frontage roads now helps avoid costly changes later and keeps the overall plan on track. As the design moves forward, ITD will continue working with property owners and look for ways to reduce impacts. Final property needs won’t be determined until the design is nearly complete.
Right now, traffic levels don’t support the high cost of building and maintaining a full interchange. Bridges and other large structures cost a lot to build and maintain, so they’re only built when traffic volumes are high enough to truly need them. Current traffic and safety studies show that what’s most needed is reducing crashes and improving how people get on and off the highway. This project will do that by removing left turns across US-95 and adding frontage roads, which will give drivers safer ways to reach their destinations. The frontage roads are also part of the long-term plan. In the future, when traffic increases and funding becomes available, the frontage roads will connect to a full interchange. That means the work done now won’t have to be redone later. There’s no set date for building the interchange yet, but it is included in ITD’s long-range plan for the corridor. When and how the next phase moves forward will depend on community growth and future traffic volumes.
Yes. The frontage roads will be carefully designed to meet safety standards. This includes features like proper lane widths, appropriate curves, and good visibility to help drivers stay safe and feel confident. Because the roads will meet these standards, they can safely support the speeds needed for smooth traffic flow. Setting speed limits below what the road is designed for can create safety issues. That’s why the design focuses on safe, realistic driving conditions for everyone.
Yes. ITD considers all options when designing projects, including whether an intersection can be removed. In this case, removing the intersection isn’t possible. Parks Road carries a lot of local traffic on both sides of US-95 and will connect to a future realignment of Old US-95 by the Lakes Highway District. Taking out the intersection would make it harder for drivers to get around. Instead, ITD is focused on improving safety and traffic flow while keeping the intersection in place.
ITD knows traffic can get much heavier during holidays and summer weekends. In the next phase of the project, we’ll take a closer look at these areas. Right now, there isn’t a specific plan for changes at locations like Lawrence Road or the Bunco Road interchange. However, feedback from the community has helped ITD focus more attention on this area. We’re reviewing current traffic data and patterns to find ways to improve safety and traffic flow for everyone traveling to and from the park.
No. Athol is outside the limits of this project. However, ITD is aware of congestion in the area and is evaluating it separately as part of a broader regional traffic analysis. Future, independent projects may help address those concerns.
Yes. The design is based on projected traffic growth over the next 20 years and is expected to meet those needs. Actual growth in the area will help determine when additional improvements are needed. Long-term planning shows that a full interchange at US-95 and Parks Road will likely be needed near the end of this period to safely and efficiently handle increased traffic.
Quick Facts
Timeline
This project is currently in the preliminary design phase and is scheduled for construction beginning in the year 2031.
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2025
Preliminary design
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Summer 2025
Public Meeting to introduce the design to the community and gather feedback
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2031
Construction
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Contact the project team
For questions or comments about this project, please contact the project manager at edward.cabale@itd.idaho.gov or (208) 772-1200.
Neighboring Project
Lakes Highway District Old Highway 95 to Parks Road Realignment
To maximize efficiency and minimize disruptions during construction, ITD is coordinating with Lakes Highway District, which is advancing a separate project to realign Old Highway 95 over the Union Pacific rail line in the same area.
While the projects are independent, the improvements are being designed to complement one another and collectively enhance the long-term function of the corridor.
Additional information regarding this independent project is available on the Lakes Highway District website.
