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Board 'adopts' new segment into highway system

Adopting a highway took on new meaning Wednesday (Dec. 14), when the Idaho Transportation Board voted to accept a portion of new highway in central Idaho.

Reconstruction of the Elba-Almo highway in southern Cassia County was the last of several hurdles in a long process to turn the local route into the Idaho Highway 77 Spur. After more than a decade of planning and improvements to the highway, it was made an official part of the state system.

The Elba-Almo highway, also known as the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway, began its transformation into the Idaho Highway 77 Spur in 2005 with the first of four phases of reconstruction. The first phase started south of Almo near the entrance to the City of Rocks National Reserve. Subsequent phases, which concluded in 2010, reconstructed about 16.7 miles of roadway to its intersection with Idaho 77, between Malta and Albion.

While the federally funded reconstruction was administered by ITD, it was initiated and sponsored by the roadway’s previous owner, Cassia County. With approval of the federal funding, ITD agreed to preliminary terms to accept the roadway after it was improved to state and federal standards.

After completion of major reconstruction, the Cassia County Commission requested the transfer move forward.

“This agreement is an example of a successful partnership with one of our local jurisdictions,” District 4 Engineer Devin Rigby said. “This road is an important corridor for local commerce as well as tourism to one of the most unique and beautiful areas in Southern Idaho.”

As part of the cooperative agreement to accept the roadway, ITD will assume all road preservation and maintenance-related activities. Cassia County will continue to provide winter activities including snow plowing. ITD also agreed to provide up to 300 cubic yards of sand and salt per year for winter maintenance. The agreement is to be reviewed every five years.

ITD is planning a project in 2013 to complete a seal coat, update signs and include several other items to meet state specifications. Remaining federally earmarked funding for the corridor reconstruction will be used to fund the upgrades.