11/29/2007
ITD to hold public hearing for Ten Mile Interchange Environmental Assessment
BOISE - The public is invited to a Dec. 4 hearing on the Environmental Assessment for the Ten Mile Interchange Project, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The hearing will be an open-house event from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Central Valley Baptist Church, 600 N. Ten Mile Road in Meridian.
The Environmental Assessment evaluates impacts of a new I-84 interchange at Ten Mile Road and improvements to the surrounding roadways. The project would provide access to I-84 between Garrity Boulevard and Meridian Road, a rapidly growing area in the Treasure Valley. Besides providing a new access to the interstate, the project would also relieve congestion on the existing Meridian Road and Garrity Boulevard interchanges.
All testimony sent by Dec. 18, 2007 will be included in the final project record. The hearing is the only opportunity to submit verbal testimony. ITD will accept written testimony by mail (Public Involvement Coordiator, P.O. Box 7129, Boise ID 83707), fax (208-334-8563) or e-mail (comments@itd.idaho.gov).
ITD will submit project documentation, including a record of public testimony, to the Federal Highway Administration for a decision. Final design of the interchange will begin if the Federal Highway Administration finds no significant impacts from the project.
The Ten Mile Interchange Project is part of the GARVEE Transportation Program, which uses funding from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to construct needed highway improvements in less time than traditional funding methods allow.
Construction could begin in 2009 and will depend on additional funding.
Project information, including the Environmental Assessment document, is available on the Web at www.itd.idaho.gov by selecting Projects, Southwest Idaho and Ten Mile Interchange.