Projects

COMPLETE: US-95 Thorn Creek to Moscow

This expansion to four lanes on a new alignment is now complete, adding capacity and reducing travel times while significantly improving safety.

COMPLETE: US-95 Thorn Creek to Moscow

This expansion to four lanes on a new alignment is now complete, adding capacity and reducing travel times while significantly improving safety.

Overview

Thorn Creek to Moscow is the new, safer alignment for US-95 in North-Central Idaho.

A drone shot of the new US-95 Thorn Creek to Moscow project cutting through rolling hills.

Construction

Construction on the new U.S. Highway 95 four-lane segment between Moscow and Thorn Creek Road will March 10, 2025. Drivers can expect to have one lane in each direction and slow down to 45 miles per hour in work zones mainly near Reisenhauer Hill until construction of five miles on the north end of the project is ready to accept traffic this summer.

READ MORE ABOUT CONSTRUCTION HERE.

Envision the new route

A picture of the night crew paving on US-95 near Thorn Creek.

The new alignment will tie in at Reisenauer Hill, where the current four-lane section ends, and reconnect near the grain bins on the south end of Moscow.

Compared to the existing route, after construction US-95 will ascend at a gentler grade up Reisenauer Hill to the prairie below Paradise Ridge. The highway will cut through small hills below the ridge to maintain a consistent grade, cross over Eid Road via two bridges and descend into Moscow.

Generally, US-95 will be shifted to the east less than three-quarters of a mile, and ITD is in the process of relinquishing its jurisdiction of what will be old US-95 to North Latah Highway District.

With a flatter grade and fewer approaches, the new route will provide safer travel between Moscow and Lewiston

Design details

A view of a truck traveling on existing US-95 near Thorn Creek.

About 6.5 miles of highway will be expanded to four lanes divided by a 34-foot median in the rural section. Shoulders will be widened, curves will be made easier to navigate and the grade will be less steep. New ditches will keep precipitation from gathering on the roadway, and a 30-foot clear zone will provide a safe area if a vehicle goes off the road.

County road intersections will have right and left turn lanes, and some current access points will be combined to limit the number of new intersections and driveways.

In the urban section just south of Moscow, a center turn lane, curbs, gutters and sidewalks will be added.

View of the project during construction. A crane can be seen in the distance where the bridge near Eid Road.

Timeline

The project began in 1999 with a proposed construction completion date in 2025.

  • 1999

    ITD begins EA with FHWA to expand US-95 from top of Lewiston Hill to Moscow

  • 2002

    Alternative for corridor selected

  • 2003

    Project litigated by Paradise Ridge Defense Coalition (PRDC), and ITD starts EIS for Thorncreek to Moscow

  • 2004

    ITD holds public meetings to identify issues

  • 2005

    Workshops allow public to consider multiple alternatives

  • 2006

    11 alternatives reduced to three (and a no-build option) after an open house

  • 2007

    Southern portion completed in October; ITD prepares draft EIS for Thorncreek

  • 2012

    Draft EIS approved by ITD and FHWA

  • 2013

    Hearing for draft EIS held with extended comment period; responses to comments sent

  • December 2014

    Final EIS and selected design published and sent for internal and legal review

  • March 2016

    FHWA issued ROD, giving ITD authority to begin final design and purchase land

  • April 2017

    Paradise Ridge Defense Coalition (PRDC) files lawsuit

  • August 2017

    U.S. District Court rules in favor of ITD and FHWA

  • January 2018

    Paradise Ridge Defense Coalition (PRDC) appeals

  • December 2018

    The Ninth Circuit of Appeals rules in favor of ITD and FHWA

  • March 2022

    PRDC files lawsuit against ITD and USACE regarding wetland permits

  • June 2022

    Construction begins outside of wetland areas

  • September 2023

    PRDC lawsuit withdrawn and construction throughout entire project area resumes.

  • 2024

    Construction and significant earthwork including new bridge over Eid Road. Work on intersection just of Moscow continues where existing and new US-95 meet.

  • Winter 2024

    Paving operations continue into fall season until winter ceases work.

     

  • March 2025

    Construction resumes including work on the last southern mile. The work now includes two new bridges over Thorn Creek.

  • Midsummer 2025

    Traffic anticipated to move onto the new highway.

Leading Idaho

Circular logo, Governor Brad Little Leading Idaho project

As part of Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative, the 2021 Idaho Legislature dedicated $126 million of one-time funds from Idaho’s budget surplus to transportation projects statewide. The funds were split 60/40 between ITD and local jurisdictions. This project is partially paid for with ITD’s portion of the funds that will accelerate projects to replace bridges, restore pavements, and improve mobility in communities across Idaho.

MORE ON LEADING IDAHO FUNDING

Contact

Manager: Howard Cooley
Howard.Cooley@itd.idaho.gov
District 2 Phone: 208-799-5090
District 2 Fax: 208-799-4301
2600 Frontage Rd, Lewiston, ID

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