Join us!
Join ITD to see the new SH-55 Banks-Lowman Intersection design and provide your comments.
Members of the project team will be available at two in-person meetings.
- American Legion Post 60 | 105 E Mill St., Cascade | Thursday, August 27 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Garden Valley High School | 1053 Banks Lowman Rd., Garden Valley | Tuesday, September 1 | 5-7 p.m.
ITD will be at several community events with information about the project. Stop by and chat!
- Starlight Mountain Theater | 850 S Middlefork Rd., Garden Valley | Friday, August 21 | 6-8 p.m.
- Bear Valley Raft | 7864 ID-55, Banks | Saturday, August 29 | 3-5 p.m.
- Brundage Concert Series | 3890 Goose Lake Rd., McCall | Friday, September 4 | 5-9:30 p.m.
Overview
ITD is developing plans to improve the SH-55 Banks-Lowman Intersection. This intersection can experience significant traffic increases due to seasonal recreation attractions in the area.
Background
- ITD added a temporary signal at the intersection in spring 2025 to reduce congestion.
- Seasonal recreation attractions in the area are increasing traffic during summer weekends at the intersection.
- This project includes alternative analysis, environmental studies and design work for intersection improvements.
Project Process
ITD is currently in the planning and design phase of a long-term improvement project for the Banks-Lowman Intersection. The planning and design process includes:
- Completing an environmental evaluation.
- Completing technical studies such as geotechnical and hydraulic work.
- Developing design and construction plans for the bridge and roadway.
- Working with the public throughout the process.
Community Input
- ITD will approach decisions about the Banks-Lowman intersection with a high level of transparency, responsiveness and community involvement.
- Community input is an important component of the final design plans for the intersection.
- ITD plans to hold multiple community open houses at key points of the design process to keep the public involved. ITD plans to hold a community open house later this year.
Timeline
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2025
Initiate project and develop intersection improvements.
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2026-2027
Develop preliminary design plans and environmental evaluation.
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2028
Complete final design plans.
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Construction
Construction will be scheduled when funds are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on a preliminary study and public feedback, the interim traffic signal at the intersection of State Highway 55 and Banks Lowman Road was installed in May 2025. The interim signal was designed as a temporary solution to provide safer and more predictable turning opportunities.
As Idaho has grown, traffic and congestion have steadily increased at this intersection in recent years. During busy summer weekends, nearly 16,000 vehicles pass through the intersection on their way to popular recreation destinations. Improving this intersection will increase safety and mobility to the many different users of this intersection.
ITD is looking at widening two bridges, the SH-55 bridge over the north fork of the Payette River and the Banks-Lowman Road bridge, over the south fork of the Payette River. ITD will also be widening the surrounding roadways and adding a permanent traffic signal.
Construction will be scheduled when funds become available.
Generally, ITD does not design roundabouts on the mainline intersections of State Highways. This is due to multiple reasons. You may find more information about this policy here.
At this intersection, a roundabout is not ideal due to the uneven traffic flows. Heavy traffic on SH-55 would crowd the roundabout, leaving few opportunities for traffic from Banks Lowman Road to enter the roundabout. Motorists would be left with the same issues they currently face at this intersection.
Contact
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