US-20 Ashton to SH-87 JCT - Idaho Transportation Department Projects

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is conducting a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study of the US-20 corridor between Ashton and the ID-87 Junction.

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

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View Meeting #4 Summary

Public Meeting #4

What is a PEL?

Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) processes help weigh the benefits and impacts of proposed transportation system improvements to the environment, community, and economy during the transportation planning process. The purpose of PEL is to coordinate statewide and transportation planning with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to streamline project delivery.

The PEL process will identify and analyze US-20 between Ashton and the SH-87 Junction and will look at ways to address the following deficiencies:

- - Travel time and delays
  - Congestion
  - Safety – specifically, with the goal of reducing the number and severity of crashes
  - Outdated design standards

The PEL will look at preliminary concept alternatives that can be implemented as funding becomes available. Using public input, and data from the traffic and other scientific studies, the project team will develop concept level alternatives for the corridor.

- - Alternatives may include upgrades/changes to the current alignment of the highway
  - Alternatives will consider both on and off alignment solutions, additional lanes, access control, and spot safety improvements
  - Short term improvements have already been identified and scheduled as projets in the ITIP (Idaho Transportation Improvement Program), they are US-20 Mack’s Inn Intersection (KN23241) and US-20 Elk Creek Intersection (KN23240)

Traffic studies will be updated often throughout the PEL process to reflect the vibrant and changing nature of the population traveling the highway.

The PEL process will screen alternatives based on the following environmental criteria:

Visual
Agricultural and Forest Resources
Air Quality
Biological Resources
Cultural Resources
Geology and Soils
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Hydrology and Water Quality
Land use and Transportation Planning
Noise
Social and Economics

Save the Date - Alternatives Workshops

Join us for Alternatives Workshops

Dec. 1, 2021

RSVP for workshops and view the Public Meeting Summary

RSVP to attend Alternatives Workshops and view the Public Meeting Summary

Dec. 13, 2021

Alternatives Workshop Information

Workshops results to share. View presentation materials, maps and the virtual session recording.

May. 25-26, 2022

Public Meeting(s) #3

The purpose of these meetings was to share the alternatives developed from previous public workshops and the results of the screening committee.

To be determined

Public Meeting(s) #4

These meetings have been postponed. ITD will schedule another round of public meetings within a few months and will notify people through mailings, emails, posters and social media. The project team is postponing the September meetings to take a closer look at potential alternatives for US-20.