3/24/2016
Federal Highway Administration approves U.S. 95 project from Thorncreek Road to Moscow
LEWISTON – The Idaho Transportation Department has received federal approval for a project to improve U.S. 95 between Thorncreek Road and Moscow.
The formal Record of Decision, signed Monday, March 21, 2016, by the Federal
Highway Administration, authorizes ITD to purchase land and begin construction
of the project. The project involves realigning 6.5 miles of U.S. 95 to improve
safety and capacity.
ITD will replace the existing two-lane undivided highway
from Thorncreek Road to the South Fork Palouse River Bridge with a four-lane
divided highway. A 34-foot median will be installed through the majority of the
corridor. ITD will construct a center turn lane, curb, gutter and sidewalk at
the northern end of the project.
FHWA and ITD evaluated many alternatives for the new highway
alignment, including western, central and eastern routes. The final eastern
route was chosen after a multi-year environmental review process. Construction
of the project is expected to begin as early as fall 2017.
The new eastern alignment will follow existing U.S. 95 from
Thorncreek Road north to the top of Reisenauer Hill. The highway will then
shift to the east and connect back to existing U.S. 95 near the grain elevators
south of Moscow.
U.S. 95 is one of Idaho’s most important highways. It serves
as the primary link between northern and southern Idaho, and it provides the
backbone for commercial, agricultural, recreational and residential
transportation.