Kootenai County travelers are being asked to comment on an ongoing study regarding a traffic management center (TMC) at two open houses in August or via a survey that is now available online.
Growth has strained existing infrastructure. Drivers consistently experience bottlenecks, unreliable travel times, an overall lack of readily accessible motorist information and unpredictable incident management on major routes, including I-90. That growth is projected to continue, with traffic volumes on I-90 alone expected to double by 2045.
“Our studies have already shown that a traffic management center is needed now,” said Glenn Miles, Director for the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO). “The current phase of the planning study is evaluating what it would take to implement one.”
TMCs are a common tool used in urban areas in our region and country to address growth and congestion through shared technology and resources. They bring together resources from highway districts, cities and transportation departments to allow for joint management of traffic safety, mobility and information in a region.
“Traffic management centers are really about optimizing existing infrastructure,” District Engineer Damon Allen said. “They’re already in place in neighboring metro areas like Spokane and Boise.”
Kootenai County travelers are invited to learn more by either going online or attending one of the two open houses on August 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The same information will be shared at both open houses at the following locations:
- The Black Bay Depot in Post Falls at 1211 East 3rd Avenue
- The Coeur d’Alene Public Library in the Community Room at 702 East Front Avenue.
The same material is available online now. Comments will be accepted through August 4.
No funding has been identified for implementing a traffic management center, though study results will identify what is needed and improve chances of securing grants.
The study is joint effort directed by the Idaho Transportation Department and the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization. Comments will be shared with board members of KMPO at the regular meeting on August 10.