Costco improvements to US-20/26, DUI enforcement
highlight May transportation board meeting

An agreement on Costco improvements to a piece of US 20/26, and a pair of DUI enforcement campaigns in Eastern Idaho were highlighted at the Board’s May meeting last week in Pocatello.

Board tour
The Board toured District 5 on May 16. Its first stop was at Fort Hall, where it heard from Shoshone-Bannock tribal officials on their short- and long-term development plans. ITD staff also summarized plans to replace the I-15 interchange at the Fort Hall exit.

The Board toured Eaton Metals in Pocatello, where large vessels are manufactured. Vessels can be up to 200 feet in length and weigh over 500 tons, so agood transportation system to ship them is vital.

Other stops on the tour included the new Idaho State Police offices, and the Downey maintenance shed, where crews gave presentations on various activities and innovations.

STAR agreement for US-20/26, Linder Road to ID-16
At its business meeting in Pocatello on May 17, the board approved entering into an agreement with Costco Corporation for improvements to US-20/26 in District 3.

A project to expand US-20/26 from Linder Road to Idaho Highway 16 is programmed in FY24; however, Costco Corporation would like to expedite the project due to plans to construct a new store at the US-20/26 and Ten Mile intersection. Costco would widen the highway to four lanes and improve intersections using private funds. Costco would then seek reimbursement for qualifying expenses under STAR legislation (Sales Tax Anticipation Reimbursement). The estimated cost of the improvements on the state system is $15.5 million, including right-of-way, design, and construction.

If ITD can acquire the needed right-of-way in a timely manner, Phase 1 (Linder Road to Tree Farm Way) will be completed in calendar year 2020. Phase 2, from Tree Farm Way to ID-16, is expected to be completed in calendar year 2022. Costco Corporation is also working with Ada County Highway District on improvements to the local system.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement
Bingham County and Madison County law enforcement officers elaborated on their collaboration to address impaired driving in Districts 5 and 6. Seven counties in the region have a memorandum of understanding to work within each other’s counties. This task force and Idaho State Police conducted a couple of DUI enforcement campaigns. The task force intends to expand to include municipalities.

In the first DUI enforcement campaign with extra patrols, 17 participating officers made 126 traffic stops that resulted in 17 misdemeanors, 1 felony arrest, 3 DUI arrests, and 3 warrants for outstanding arrest warrants. The second event, in Jefferson County, resulted in more than 100 stops and multiple arrest warrants issued.

Published 06-01-18