12/2/2010
Timmerman Junction to become four-way stop
SHOSHONE - The intersection of U.S. 20 and Idaho 75 in Blaine County (commonly referred to as Timmerman Junction) will become a four-way stop to address safety concerns, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The decision to make the intersection a four-way stop comes after a number of injury accidents during the last two years became a concern for the local community and prompted a roadway safety evaluation of the junction. Following the evaluation, a four-way stop was considered the best solution to reduce the number of high-speed collisions at the intersection.
The installation of stop signs on Idaho 75 could take place this winter, but will be determined by weather over the coming weeks. Crews will be prepared to install the four-way stop signs when several days of dry weather are expected. Warning signs, warning beacons and rumble strips will also be installed on Idaho 75 to improve safety at the intersection.
The four-way stop will be on an interim basis only, District Engineer Devin Rigby said. ITD has committed to begin the process for reconstruction and improving the intersection.
"The traffic control at the intersection worked well for a long time to keep traffic crashes at a minimal level, but recent events crossed the line of what was tolerable," Rigby said. "Installation of a four-way stop will mitigate the types of crashes we've seen at the junction and will serve the community until a major reconstruction can be completed."
The long-term fix will require an environmental re-evaluation of the area and completion of project development before major reconstruction of the intersection can be completed. Improvements, however, will be subject to available funding.