Cloverdale, Banks-Lowman congestion, distracted driving concerns highlight September board meeting

Status reports on the Cloverdale Bridge, congestion concerns at the Banks-Lowman Highway intersection with ID-55, the department’s efforts to end distracted driving, discussion of the Safe Routes to School program, and review of transportation concerns in Mt. Home were the focus of the Idaho Transportation Board’s September meeting.

District 3 Tour
The board’s last scheduled tour of the year was on September 11 in District 3. While the board traveled from Boise to McCall, staff gave presentations on various topics, including the expedited project to replace the I-84, Cloverdale Bridge damaged by a crash last year, a partnership project to improve the Atlanta airstrip, how speed limits are established, and congestion concerns and challenges at the ID-55 and Banks/Lowman Highway intersection. Pictured below is the crew that improved the Atlanta airstrip.

When the board traveled through Cascade, the mayor got on the bus to talk about the community. She expressed concern with congestion on ID-55, especially in summer. In McCall, city officials joined the board as it traveled on ID-55 and local streets. They requested studying the feasibility of exchanging Deinhard Lane and Boydstun Street for ID-55. The city would like to control the highway in downtown and believes safety could be improved with the exchange. The local roads are used by some motorists as a bypass to avoid traveling through downtown.

Mountain Home
At the meeting in McCall on Sept. 12, the Mountain Home mayor discussed some of the city’s transportation concerns. The main one is I-84’s Exit 95. The high traffic count, especially commercial trucks and recreational vehicles, often results in congestion. Due to the high volume of traffic turning left onto US-20, vehicles occasionally back up onto the interstate. That area is also the central commercial district and additional development is planned, which will increase traffic and safety concerns.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Collaboration Efforts
The board heard about the Safe Routes to School Program. The federal Transportation Alternatives Program provides funds for infrastructure projects such as bike paths, sidewalks, and pedestrian signals; and non-infrastructure projects. The latter projects like education, enforcement, and encouraging students to walk or bike to school are part of the SRTS Program. The purpose of SRTS is to enable lifelong habits for a healthy and active lifestyle.

Eleven school districts, 223 individual schools, and almost 40% of the state’s students are served by this program. In fiscal year 2019, 51 bike rodeos were held to teach students how to ride bicycles and to promote safety. Some of the other statewide activities and accomplishments included enhancing the website, publishing and distributing monthly safety and fun facts, developing measurements, and assisting communities with local events.

End Distracted Driving
ITD and the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho partnered on an End Distracted Driving campaign the week of September 9. Several presentations were given, including at high schools.

The message to end distracted driving focused on being a respectful driver, driving defensively, and being a role model for others. Work is also underway on an elementary student program.

Published 09-20-19