8/14/2015
ITD, FHWA release final environmental document for U.S. 95, Thorncreek Road to Moscow project
LEWISTON – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the U.S. 95, Thorncreek Road to Moscow project.
The FEIS is an environmental study of ITD’s proposal to improve 6.34 miles of U.S. 95 between Thorncreek Road and Moscow (Milepost 337.67 to Milepost 344.00) in Latah County. The project includes realigning and widening this stretch of U.S. 95 to four lanes to address the highway’s curvature and steep grade. The changes are designed to improve safety, increase capacity and better manage access on and off the highway.
The document includes an analysis of the benefits and effects of not improving the highway (No Action) and three proposed alignments for the improvements (Action Alternatives) on the natural and human environment. The three Action Alternatives analyzed in the FEIS are referred to as Modified W-4, C-3 and E-2.
After intense review and study, the E-2 Alternative was identified as FHWA’s and ITD’s Preferred Alternative in the FEIS.
The FEIS makes corrections to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that was published in January of 2013. It also presents new information and responses to public comments made during the DEIS review process.
The FEIS is now available for a 30-day review period. Once this review period concludes, the FHWA will issue a Record of Decision (ROD), which will announce the Selected Alternative for the U.S. 95, Thorncreek Road to Moscow project. The ROD will provide the reason for its selection, along with mitigation measures.
The FEIS document is available for review at the following locations:
- Federal Highway Administration, Idaho Division, 2050 Lakeharbor Lane, Ste. 126, Boise, ID 83703
- ITD District 2, 2600 Frontage Rd., Lewiston, ID 83501-0837
- Idaho Transportation Department, Headquarters, 3311 W. State St., Boise, ID 83703
- Genesee Public Library, 140 East Walnut Street, Genesee, ID 83832
- Latah County Library, 110 South Jefferson St., Moscow, ID 83843
- Idaho State Library, Main Office, 325 W. State St., Boise, ID 83702
- Idaho State Library, Northern Field Office, 1420 S. Blaine Ste. B, Moscow, ID 83843
- Lewiston Library, 428 Thain Rd., Lewiston, ID 83501
- Moscow Chamber of Commerce, 411 S. Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843
- Moscow City Hall, 206 East Third Street, Moscow, ID 83843
- Moscow Public Library, 110 South Jefferson St., Moscow, ID 83843
The FEIS can also be viewed online at www.US95Thorncreek.com.