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ABOUT THE PROJECT
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The U.S. 95 Thorncreek to Moscow Project is a study led by the Idaho Transportation Department to determine an alignment for nearly 6.5 miles of U.S. 95 in Latah County. Currently, U.S. 95 between Thorncreek and Moscow is a two-lane highway classified as a principal arterial. It is operating near capacity and has several curves that do not meet current engineering standards. The proposed project consists of replacing the existing two-lane facility with a four-lane divided highway. The study area bears north approximately 6.5 miles from the existing alignment at Thorncreek Road and ties back to the existing alignment at the recently completed south fork of the Palouse Bridge.
By constructing a new divided four-lane facility with access control, several of the conditions contributing to the accidents would be eliminated. In addition, traffic capacity would be increased, and traffic would flow smoother. |
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PROJECT BROCHURE
Click on the brochure (2.5 MB) link to download a pdf version of the project brochure.
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PROJECT PROCESS CHART
The study is looking at several potential alignments (the exact location of the roadway), and a "no build" option. |
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PROJECT VIDEO
Click below to download a video describing the project purpose and need. WARNING: Download times may be significant. You may download the excerpt to view a small portion of the video before downloading the full-length video.
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PROJECT BACKGROUND
U.S. Highway 95 is a major route for commercial, agricultural, recreational and residential traffic. It is the major link between northern and southern Idaho. This highway is of statewide significance and is designated as part of the National Highway System in the Transportation Efficiency Act of the 21st Century. The highway through Idaho begins at the southwestern Oregon/Idaho border approximately 35 miles south of Caldwell, Idaho. From this point, the route extends northward approximately 530 miles to the Idaho/Canada border.
In 1998, the Idaho Transportation Department proposed a project to widen and improve a 21-mile section of U.S. 95 between Lewiston and Moscow. In order to design and construct this improvement, ITD prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) based on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EA documented the analysis of the environmental impacts of the new road. In September 2003, the U.S. District Court in Boise voided the EA for the 6.5-mile segment between Reisenauer Hill and the city of Moscow.
Based on the court ruling, ITD is now required to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on this last segment. An EIS is the highest level of environmental review.
Widening of the first 14.5 miles of U.S. 95 from Top of Lewiston Hill to Thorncreek Road was completed in 2007. |
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PURPOSE & NEED
The purpose of this project is to improve public safety and increase highway capacity on US 95 between Thorncreek Road, south of Moscow at MP 337.200 and Moscow at MP 343.982.
Within the project limits, US 95 does not meet current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standards (widths, clear-zones, grades and sight distance). Additional concerns include high accident locations and insufficient highway capacity.
Click on the image to download a pdf version of the project pupose and need flyer. |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about this project and the public opportunities to participate, please continue to visit this website or contact:
THORNCREEK ROAD TO MOSCOW PROJECT STUDIES
LIST OF CONSULTANTS
- Public Involvement - Rosemary B. Curtin, Inc. (RBCI)
- Ungulate Study (Wildlife) - Wayne Melquist, Crex Consulting
- Climate - Russ Qualls, Idaho State Climatologist
- Wetlands & Waters of the United States - Shelly Gilmore, Resources Planning Unlimited
- Rare Plant Survey - Sensitive Species - Juanita Lictdhardt, Conservation Data Center
- Archeological - Stephen Emerson, AHS
- Historic Survey - Stephen Emerson, AHS
- Threatened & Endangered Species - Eric Holt, JBR
- Visual - Jason Pfaff, Visual Genesis
- Noise - Dave Aspitarde, Bionomics
- Regulatory Floodway - Manny Todhunter, ITD
- Hazardous Materials - Denise Stark, Northwind
- Prime Farmland - Ed Haagen, Haagen Consulting
- Socio-Economic and Environmental Justice - Don Galligan, HDR
- Donald Blackketter - Wind
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