7/25/2011
Amity Avenue environmental document available for public review and comment
NAMPA - The Idaho Transportation Department and city of Nampa are taking public comment on an environmental assessment of a project to widen Amity Avenue.
The environmental assessment describes the proposed improvements to Amity Avenue and how those would affect the local environment.
Recent growth is causing delays and congestion
along the one-mile corridor. Improvements would include widening the roadway
from two to four lanes between Chestnut Street and Kings Corner, adding signals
at Chicago Street and Powerline Road, and adding sidewalks on both sides of the
road.
The environmental assessment describes how improvements would affect environmental factors such as air quality and noise. Copies are available for public review at the Nampa City Public Library, Nampa City Hall and at www.cityofnampa.us/engineering.
The city of Nampa and ITD will host a public hearing on Aug. 17 to collect public comments on the project. The hearing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the NNU Brandt Center (707 Fern St. in Nampa).
Public hearing materials will be posted at www.cityofnampa.us/engineering by Aug. 18. Those who cannot attend the hearing are invited to an online Q&A session on Aug. 23 or Aug. 25. The online sessions will begin at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. both days.
Public comments also will be accepted by e-mail (bowmancm@cityofnampa.us) and mail (Nampa City Hall, 411 3rd St., Nampa, 83651) until Sept. 1, 2011. All comments will be added to the formal project record and reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration
The Amity Avenue improvements would qualify for $8 million in federal funding. An engineering study and public input helped the city identify the one-mile stretch that most needed improvements.
The Federal Highway Administration will review public comment before making a decision about the environmental document. If it is approved, construction could begin as early as 2012.