The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are conducting an Environmental Assessment (EA) to engage the public and evaluate impacts, benefits and costs associated with roadway improvements and reconstruction of US-20 between Chester and Ashton.
Read MoreThe proposed improvements to US-20 would replace the existing two-lane roadway with a four-lane divided roadway and interchanges. In addition, several local roadways are included to accommodate changes to access resulting from the proposed project. Locations of these roads and interchanges are currently being evaluated in the Environmental Assessment, which is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
ITD is developing and evaluating the initial project design and is actively working with adjacent property owners and businesses to understand their needs and concerns related to the US-20 corridor. This includes identifying local access roads that will best serve the local community. In addition, the project team is conducting wetland and historic field surveys for the preliminary design. These environmental resource analyses are anticipated to be completed this summer.
It is anticipated that the EA will be available for public review in the winter of 2021. At that time, a formal 30-day public review and comment period will take place and members of the public can review the EA and provide comments. After the EA is completed, the Federal Highway Administration will issue a decision document, which concludes the National Environmental Policy Act process for the project. This is anticipated to occur in early 2022. Final design will likely be completed in the fall of 2022, with construction anticipated to begin in 2025.
The Chester to Ashton segment of U.S. 20 was originally built in 1932. The current roadway does not provide sufficient traffic flow or passing opportunities to accommodate growing traffic volumes. The roadway has exceeded its service life and requires improvements to the roadway and drainage features as well as new pavement. Reconstruction will provide the opportunity to include design elements for reducing potential crashes.
The original road was built in 1932 and various projects have been completed to maintain its usability. However, the roadway has exceeded its design life and current conditions are rated as poor to very poor. Issues such as frost heaves, cracking, and rutting are commonplace along the corridor.
Unconsolidated accesses along the corridor increase the risk of accidents due to increased turning movements and differences in traffic speeds. Between 2013 and 2017, over 30 percent of crashes were same direction sideswipe, rear end, or angle related. As traffic volumes continue to increase, the risk of potential conflict points will also increase.
The amount of traffic traveling the U.S. 20 corridor from Chester to Ashton has grown significantly. The current configuration does not provide for sufficient traffic flow or passing opportunities to accommodate current and future traffic volumes.
• ITD is evaluating current and future traffic volumes, safety data, and other conditions in the area to develop improvements that address the purpose and need of the project.
• A key part of ITD’s evaluation is the identification of issues and concerns important to the public. Throughout project development, ITD will solicit feedback from the public on needs along the corridor.
• Alternatives developed will also be presented to the public and documented through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
The proposed improvements to US-20 would replace the existing two-lane roadway with a four-lane divided roadway and interchanges. In addition, several local roadways are included to accommodate changes to access resulting from the proposed project. Locations of these roads and interchanges are currently being evaluated in the Environmental Assessment, which is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
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