SH-8 Traffic Study

Public and special interest groups are an important part of the decision-making process and success of these studies. ITD organized a technical advisory committee and community working group to provide input throughout the study process.

These partners included representatives from emergency services, education, commerce, community service organizations, Tribal members, and government agencies. At this particular stage, we are no longer using the established working groups. However, their participation has been instrumental in molding the study.

Additionally, at key milestones throughout the process, ITD has invited the public to review potential alternatives, ask questions, and provide ideas and feedback.

Public Meeting #1 – April 2024:
Archived Public Meeting #1 online meeting and map comments / roll plots

Working groups were utilized early in the process to gather ideas prior to the first public meeting. ITD hosted three in-person events on April 9, 10, and 11 in different cities to provide opportunities for people to attend throughout the two study areas. Participants were encouraged to drop in anytime between 4:30 to 7 p.m. Additionally, an online public meeting was available beginning April 9 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh8-us95-pel.

The online experience contained the same information and a similar opportunity to submit comments as the in-person events. A total of 156 attendees signed in across the three in-person events (Potlatch: 19, Moscow: 117, Troy: 20).

The public shared ideas with the project team about a proposed deceleration lane near Mountain View Drive and a center turn lane near Mile 7. Several participants proposed installing new traffic signals or roundabouts at Mountain View Road and SH-8 Lenville/Plant Sciences Road. Additionally, there were conversations with the project team about building a US-95 bypass around the area and adding passing lanes specifically between mileposts 12 – 14 and mileposts 9 – 10.

Many participants were very interested in popular transportation topics such as speed, wildlife crossings, conditions, and improving turns around SH-8. There were several discussions about improving signage/delineation along the entire SH-8 corridor. Several community members suggested that the team should have looked at solutions that widened the corridor and added transit options. Pedestrian and bicycle safety enhancements also were discussed in depth and proposed near Gritman Medical Center, SH-8 to Ridgeview Drive, and the intersection of SH-8 and US-95.

Concerns regarding sight distance near the Big Meadows Intersection and Driscoll Ridge were brought up. Lastly, congestion along SH-8, thoughts about speed limits changes, and increased enforcement were additional topics.

All suggestions for possible improvements were considered by the study teams and were paired with engineering data to develop alternatives. Initial alternatives were screened by study teams for purpose and need; for feasibility, buildability, fundability; and through other criteria. The second public meeting was scheduled for June 2025 to share a range of potential improvements.

Public Meeting #2 – June 2025:
Archived Public Meeting #2 online meeting.

In-person events included a public meeting on June 24 followed by office hours on June 25. The public meeting was held in an open house format, and people were invited to drop by any time between 4 and 7 p.m. to view study information and speak with the study teams. An online public meeting was available beginning June 17 at www.us95sh8.com. The online experience contained the same information and a similar opportunity to submit comments as the in-person event. The comment period began officially on June 17, 2025, and remained open through July 8. There were a total of 1,436 participants and 165 comments between the two formats.

The study team received comments and information on specific locations for new SH-8 alignments. Several participants expressed support or concerns, including cost. Other themes included on-alignment widening and improvements such as turn and passing lanes. Additionally, community members brought up ideas for speed limits, incorporating the Latah Trail, and traffic signals like the intersection of Mtn. View Drive and SH-8.

ITD had reviewed all of the new comments, and as a result, the study team was currently applying engineering best practices and incorporating additional data, including traffic, environmental, and public feedback.

What will happen next?

A technical report outlining potential solutions should be finalized by spring 2026 for another comment opportunity. A copy of that report will be shared with community members via email and this project website.

Funding

The traffic study will generate projects in the future but no funding for design or construction has been identified at this time.

This traffic study is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2026. At that time, we may have identified a range of potential improvements, and we can provide general timelines for next steps, including opportunities for current or future funding.

To see other projects that are currently funded, please view this PDF.