Idaho Transportation Department seeks feedback on draft seven-year transportation plan

Roadside view of US-20 roadway and traffic west of Idaho Falls.

The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking feedback on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The ITIP outlines the state’s transportation priorities and guides investment decisions for the next seven years through 2032. ITD encourages everyone to review the draft and provide comments July 1-31.

Transportation projects included in the draft ITIP range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of new guardrail. Projects are located throughout Idaho’s 44 counties and involve all modes of transportation. Project selection is determined through technical data, as well as input from local officials and residents.

Visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an to learn about projects and submit a comment through the portal.

ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney outlined, “The Idaho practice of annually updating a seven-year highway transportation plan helps consider the growth of traffic we are all seeing which is accelerating the need for safety, preservation and capacity improvements supporting communities statewide. This draft ITIP presents investment needs in highway pavement, bridge repairs, and congestion relief improvements that will provide the Idaho Transportation Board effective options to consider looking ahead for Idaho.”

In mid-June, the Idaho Transportation Board accepted staff recommendations to address congestion on priority corridors using Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds. These funds came from House Bill 25, which was passed by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year. The legislation provides an additional $20 million a year to the TECM fund for the next three years and allows the department to invest an extra $1 billion in the Idaho transportation system.

One of the major project(s) in the draft ITIP affecting East Idaho as part of the board’s action include:

US-20 west of Idaho Falls. This project will increase capacity by widening the road to two lanes in each direction starting at Idaho Falls and moving west as funding allows. Widening will increase safety for freight, recreational and commuter traffic due to limited passing opportunities and lines of sight. Construction is anticipated start in 2026, two years earlier than planned.

Comments can be emailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov, recorded at 208-334-8063 or mailed to:

ITIP – Comments
Attn: Noah Ipaye
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID  83707

Paper copies of the ITIP will be available at regional offices and provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department at 208-334-8284.

After approval by the Idaho Transportation Board in September, the ITIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in October.

Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP includes the prioritized needs of Idaho’s communities.

Idaho Transportation Department seeks feedback on draft seven-year transportation plan

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is seeking feedback on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The ITIP outlines the state’s transportation priorities and guides investment decisions for the next seven years through 2032. ITD encourages everyone to review the draft and provide comments July 1-31.

Visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an interactive map to learn about projects and submit a comment through the portal.

This draft ITIP shows plans for $5.8 billion in funding, including $200 million dedicated to pavements and $100 million dedicated to bridges each year.

The major projects included in the draft ITIP as part of the board’s action include:

I-15 and US-26 Interchange (Exit 93): The existing interchange will be replaced to accommodate additional lanes on the interstate and to include longer on- and off-ramps for safer merging. Construction is anticipated to start in 2026, five years earlier than planned.
I-15 widening from milepost 89 to 93: This project will add capacity by widening the interstate to three lanes in each direction between the US-26 Interchange and the South Blackfoot Interchange. construction was previously not funded but is now anticipated to start in 2027.
I-15 and US-91 South Blackfoot Interchange (Exit 89): The existing interchange will be upgraded to accommodate additional lanes on the interstate and include longer on- and off-ramps for safer merging. Construction is anticipated to start in 2028, three years earlier than planned.

Comments can be emailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov, recorded at 208-334-8063 or mailed to:

ITIP – Comments
Attn: Noah Ipaye
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707

Paper copies of the ITIP will be available at regional offices and provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department at 208-334-8284.

Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP includes the prioritized needs of Idaho’s communities.

Idaho Transportation Department seeks feedback on draft seven-year transportation plan 

Cars take the highway up a hill in East Idaho

Visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an interactive map to learn about projects and submit a comment through the portal. 

This draft ITIP shows plans for $5.8 billion in funding, including $200 million dedicated to pavements and $100 million dedicated to bridges each year.  

Comments can be emailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov, recorded at 208-334-8063 or mailed to:  

ITIP – Comments  
Attn: Noah Ipaye
P.O. Box 7129  
Boise, ID  83707 

Paper copies of the ITIP will be available at regional offices and provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department at 208-334-8284.  

All comments will be reviewed and incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate. Responses will be sent by September.  

Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP includes the prioritized needs of Idaho’s communities. 

ITD hosts Snake River Crossing public meeting 

The Idaho Transportation Department invites Magic Valley community members to attend a public meeting on Monday, June 30, to provide input on the Snake River Crossing Project and help review and refine the first phases of analysis and design before the project moves forward. 

During this public meeting, ITD will share study findings, initial concepts and evaluation criteria, project goals, and a range of alternative locations for an additional Snake River crossing. 

“Our shared goal with local and regional partners is to address growing traffic and regional connectivity challenges in the Magic Valley,” District Engineer Jesse Barrus said. “A potential additional Snake River crossing is a key part of reaching that goal, and we look forward to hearing the community’s feedback.” 

In 2024, the Idaho Transportation Board approved funding to begin next steps to enhance Magic Valley regional mobility including launching the environmental review process for a new Snake River Crossing to consider options for an additional bridge crossing, potentially extending State Highway 25 or State Highway 79 or widening U.S. Highway 30 or State Highway 46. 

The project will utilize information gathered from previous studies and include coordination with the new Magic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization to identify and evaluate feasible, buildable, and fundable bridge alternatives.  

“This public meeting marks a key milestone in the Snake River Crossing project and offers the community a chance to provide input on potential 1,500-foot-long bridge locations,” said Dan McElhinney, the ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer. “Taking a major bridge project of this scale from concept to construction will continue to require strong regional collaboration, innovative funding solutions, and long-term commitment.” 

Opportunities to participate are available both in person and online. Both experiences will include the same information and chances for feedback:  

In Person: June 30, 2025, drop in anytime between 4 and 7 p.m., Herrett Center for Arts and Science, 315 Falls Ave, Twin Falls 

Online: June 30 through July 30, 2025, snakerivercrossing.com 

An additional public meeting is anticipated in early fall. For more information, please visit the project website: itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/snakerivercrossing.  

ITD invites the community to provide input on two planning studies in Latah County

Drone picture of US-95 near Moscow. Text reads as "US-95 and SH-8 Palouse Region Studies."

The Idaho Transportation Department invites community members to attend an upcoming public meeting on Tuesday, June 24, to learn more about and provide input on two transportation studies underway in Latah County: the U.S. Highway 95 Palouse Region Study, between Snow Road and the Latah/Benewah county line, and the State Highway 8 Palouse Region Study, between the Washington state line and Troy.

With current traffic volumes and anticipated growth in the area, both studies were initiated in 2023 to guide future investments to improve safety, mobility, and economic opportunity throughout the region. The first steps included identifying transportation needs, environmental and growth considerations, and community goals. From those findings, including the community feedback from the April 2024 public meetings, each study team developed concepts for potential transportation solutions, and the preliminary evaluation results are now ready for community input.

“Public involvement is an important part of the decision-making process and will contribute to the success of these studies,” Project Manager Janet Zarate said. “With the range of concepts available, we look forward to hearing from the community as the feedback helps develop sustainable solutions for transportation in the Palouse Region.”

Opportunities to participate in the public meeting are available both in person and online. Both experiences will include the same information and chances for feedback:

In Person: Tuesday, June 24, drop in anytime between 4 and 7 p.m., Best Western University Inn, Moscow

Online: Available June 17 through July 8 at us95sh8.com

ITD will use this community input as the studies move through the concept evaluation process. Another series of public meetings to share those advancements is anticipated through 2026.

More information about the studies is available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh8-us95-pel.

Community invited to review options to improve State Highway 16 between SH-44 and SH-52

The Idaho Transportation Department is holding a public meeting on Monday, December 4, in Ada County and Wednesday, December 6, in Gem County. The community is invited to learn about the project, give input on issues and concerns, and provide feedback on a range of plans to improve SH-16.

Details for the in-person meetings are listed below:

Monday, December 4 at Eagle Christian Church (100 S Short Rd, Eagle, ID 83616)
Wednesday, December 6 at Emmett High School (721 W 12th St, Emmett, ID 83617)
4:30 – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
Please join at whichever location is most convenient for you.

An online meeting will be available for those that are not able to attend the in-person meetings. The online meeting will be open from December 7 – 21 at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh1644to52.

At the meetings, ITD will share details about:

The purpose and need for the environmental reevaluation.
Updated traffic and crash data information.
Modification to the 2005 preferred alternative.
The project timeline and next steps in the process.

“We look forward to sharing the range of modified improvement plans with the community and receiving their feedback,” said ITD Project Manager Mark Wasdahl. “Their input is very important to the reevaluation process and will help us moving forward.”

The SH-16, SH-44 to SH-52 project began in June 2023 and is expected to be complete in 2025. ITD has already met with numerous state and local agencies and property owners to identify concerns, discuss ongoing planning efforts and share information about the project.

To sign up for email updates or learn more about the project, please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh1644to52.

Public invited to open houses to comment on preliminary I-90 corridor designs

ITD will host two open houses next week in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene to present recommended designs to improve I-90 between the Washington state line and Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. The ongoing study is funded by the Leading Idaho program.

Each open house will present identical information and designs.

Post Falls

Tuesday, Nov. 1
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Red Lion Hotel Templin’s on the River at 414 E 1st Ave

Coeur d’Alene

Wednesday, Nov. 2
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn at 506 West Appleway Ave

For those not able to attend either open house, an online option will share the same information and will be available on Nov. 1 at itdprojects.org/i90corridor.

“Since the first stretch of I-90 was built in Kootenai County in 1960, ITD has made some upgrades, but the number of lanes has not changed,” said Erika Bowen, ITD Project Manager. “With traffic currently congested in various parts of the corridor and volumes expected to double by 2045, ITD is studying the interstate to identify improvements to modernize the system, reduce crashes and save drivers time.”

Proposed improvements include adding lanes on I-90, modifying access and upgrading interchanges with impacts to local roads in both cities. Areas with proposed improvements include:

Spokane Street and Seltice Way Interchanges
Northwest Boulevard Interchange
US-95 and Fourth Street Interchanges
Seventh Street Bridge
Sherman Avenue Interchange

Blue and white circular logo for “Leading Idaho” projects sponsored by Governor Little

Following the study and public input, the recommended projects will be prioritized and advanced into design and construction as funding becomes available.

The study is funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. The program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build.

The corridor is one of 13 approved TECM corridors in the state. Funding for the future design and construction phases on this corridor will be determined based on project readiness and funding availability. Preliminary estimates value the improvements needed in this corridor at $1 billion to $1.2 billion, which includes design, right-of-way and construction costs. A previously funded project to redesign the SH-41 interchange at I-90 is currently under construction.

To stay up to date on the I-90 corridor project, visit itdprojects.org/i90corridor and sign up for email updates.

ITD shares future plans for State Highway 55 and I-84, Karcher Interchange at Nampa open house July 7

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites the public to an open house this month for two adjacent projects in Canyon County. Design plans will be shared for improvements to the Interstate 84, Karcher Interchange and several miles of State Highway 55 west of the interchange.

Community members may stop by an in-person open house on Thursday, July 7 between 5 and 7 p.m. at Nampa Christian School, 11920 W. Flamingo Avenue in Nampa. Online open houses for each project will also be available July 7-14 at itdprojects.org/karcheric and itdprojects.org/state-highway-55-farmway-to-middleton-road.

“These two projects are part of ITD’s ongoing work to address growth and the resulting congestion on highways in Canyon County, particularly State Highway 55,” said project manager Erika Bowen. “ITD is targeting the most urgent needs in this area while continuing to plan for long-term solutions.”

The I-84, Karcher Interchange project includes widening the interchange bridge and adding a new westbound lane across the interchange to Caldwell Boulevard. Several improvements are also planned on the interchange ramps, signals, and intersections. Details are available at itdprojects.org/karcheric.

The SH-55, Farmway Road to Middleton Road project will widen SH-55 to two lanes in each direction in the busy area between Farmway and Middleton roads. More information is on the project website at itdprojects.org/state-highway-55-farmway-to-middleton-road/.

Once construction funding has been confirmed, work on the Karcher Interchange could begin as early as 2023, and the widening of SH-55 could start in 2024.

Funding for this design stage of both projects comes from the Leading Idaho Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation Program. The program allows ITD to build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to build.

A Spanish interpreter will be present at the July 7 open house. Community members can also request written materials in Spanish by calling (208) 334-8002.

Public open house planned May 24 for US-20/26 Chinden West corridor improvements

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites the public to learn more about the future widening of U.S. Highway 20/26 between Middleton Road and Star Road.

ITD will host an open house on Tuesday, May 24 to share preliminary design plans and gather feedback on proposed improvements to this heavily traveled section of US-20/26.

This project will widen the highway and improve intersections to enhance safety and mobility for all users of the transportation system, including nearby residents, businesses, commuters, and freight carriers.

The public is encouraged to attend the drop-in style open house, share input on the plans, and meet members of the project team.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022
5-7 p.m.
Middleton United Methodist Church
104 E. Main Street (State Highway 44)
Middleton, ID

All materials provided at the open house will also be available online at itdprojects.org/chindenwest beginning May 25, for those who can’t attend in person. Comments will be accepted through June 7.

The design of this project is funded with Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds as part of the Leading Idaho TECM Program. The program allows ITD to accelerate project timelines to address Idaho’s rapid growth and build critical infrastructure today that would otherwise take many years to fund and build. Funding for the next phase of work will be determined when the project progresses to that stage.

To learn more about the project and sign up for email updates, visit itdprojects.org/chindenwest.

Public comment sought on plan for Idaho highway rail grade crossings

BOISE – Public input is being sought on the action plan to guide Irail grade crossings on Idaho Highways. Through Jan. 21, members of the public are invited to comment at https://arcg.is/1DqS4b or via the QR code posted below.

The action plan identifies, analyzes, and develops solutions to issues affecting safety at approximately 1,400 public, highway-rail grade crossings in Idaho.