Public invited to review alternatives for US-20 improvements from Ashton to Idaho State Highway 87

RIGBY — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host two public meetings to share information about its Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study and alternatives examining ways to modernize, improve safety, and reduce congestion on US-20 between Ashton and the SH-87 junction. ITD intends to adopt the findings of the PEL study into a future federal environmental clearance process.

The purpose of these meetings is to share alternatives developed from public workshops and the results of the screening committee. ITD will gather public comment on alternatives moving forward including concerns about environmental impacts. Information on access management strategies and opportunities for multi-use crossings along the corridor will also be shared. The public has two opportunities to participate. Both meetings will share the same information.

May 25, 2022,
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Island Park EMS Building
4378 County Circle
Island Park, ID 83429

May 26, 2022
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Ashton Community Center and Library
925 Main Street
Ashton, ID 83420

Increasing traffic is causing congestion and crashes. Improvements are needed to maintain a safe roadway, meet driver expectations, and provide a reliable connection to adjacent communities, Yellowstone National Park, and the region.

Using technical data and input gathered at public meetings in October and December 2021, the project team developed dozens of alternatives that have been evaluated against a range of criteria, including safety, capacity, and environmental impacts to identify the most promising alternatives for additional consideration.

Both meetings will be held in an open house format. Please stop by any time from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For those who can’t attend in person, an online meeting will be available from May 26 through June 9 at itdprojects.org/projects/us-20-ashton-to-sh-87-jct/

The comment period will remain open until June 9, 2022.

Bridge replacements on US-20 in Camas and Blaine counties to begin next week

The Idaho Transportation Department will begin work April 1, 2019 on two bridge construction projects along US-20. The new crossings will be located over Willow Creek in Camas County (MP 164) and Rock Creek in Blaine County (MP 173).

During construction, ITD will remove aging culverts and surrounding earthwork at both locations, and construct new crossings over the waterways.

“Due to age and corrosion of the pipelines, both culverts are in need of replacement,” said ITD Project Manager Brock Dillé. “We analyzed multiple options regarding these crossings before determining that bridge designs would have the best long term value for both Willow Creek and Rock Creek.”

The structure spanning Willow Creek will be a 170-foot steel girder bridge while the structure spanning Rock Creek will be a 159-foot concrete girder bridge. As an added result of the forthcoming bridge structures, ITD will also be able to restore the streams to a more natural condition, which in turn should have a positive effect on the surrounding ecosystem.

Construction on the crossings will occur simultaneously. Each work zone is anticipated to encompass one mile with approximately seven miles between each site.

Click here for a map of the region.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in the construction zone with width restrictions anticipated. Temporary traffic lights will be in place throughout the duration of the project and reduced speed limits will also be in effect.

ITD and the Idaho State Police advise motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov fo r information on the state highway or interstate system.

Work is expected to last through December.

Knife River is the contractor for both projects.