9/11/2017
Fifty people review Targhee Pass alternatives Aug. 30 in Island Park
RIGBY - Fifty (50) people reviewed construction alternatives Aug. 30 in Island Park for the proposed Targhee Pass improvement project on U.S. 20 north of Island Park.
Targhee Pass is a four-mile portion of U.S. 20 between the highway's junction with Idaho Highway 87 and the Montana state line. In addition to serving Yellowstone National Park, Targhee Pass serves many popular recreational and tourist destinations. The highway functions as the region's Main Street, providing primary access to year-round residences, vacation homes, hunting and fishing lodges, state park and national forest areas, and a variety of community commercial establishments.
ITD has conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Targhee Pass stretch of roadway and the surrounding area, considering social, economic and ecological needs. The agency has held meetings to inform the public of its unfolding plans and to obtain project feedback from citizens.
The Aug. 30 meeting was from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Island Park EMS Building, 4124 County Circle Road, in Island Park. The Targhee Pass EA is currently evaluating risks, benefits, opportunities and costs associated with reconstruction of Targhee Pass. ITD will receive comment on the Targhee Pass EA alternatives until Sept. 29.
Displays, information and resources are posted to the EA website (http://islandparkus20.com/helpful-resources/public-meeting-opportunities-materials/) for citizens unable to attend the meeting.
"At this point in the process, we would like the public’s feedback on the alternatives," said ITD Project Manager Eric Verner. "Do the alternatives represent a good range of options? Do they reflect community sentiment? Are there issues that have not been addressed with these alternatives? These are the questions ITD is looking to answer now. We will continue to refine these alternatives, but we want to hear from the public before the Sept. 29 comment deadline. Citizens may review the alternatives on our study website and give us more feedback."
After the comment period, ITD will refine alternatives, analyze effects and then report back to the public. The public information team will send out email updates and convene the Stakeholder Working Group during this time. If you would like to be added to our email list, please email targheepass@langdongroupinc.com.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the lead agency on this study and will be signing the final study document. The study will be completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For more information on this EA, please contact Andrea Gumm at 208-220-5937.
For questions, or to submit feedback, please contact the team:
Targhee Pass Study Team
(c/o The Langdon Group)
677 South Woodruff Avenue
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
(208) 220-5937
targheepass@langdongroupinc.com