IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
U.S. 95, Thorncreek Road to Moscow Project

Past Public Involvement Opportunities

Successful public involvement means not only providing information to the public, but also gathering information during the process. Fostering two-way communication between the public and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is a priority of this project. ITD actively solicited input related to transportation needs and environmental considerations during the creation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

Since 2003, the public has had numerous opportunities to participate in this project including attending open houses, public workshops, breakfast meetings and/or submitting written comments.

ITD also kept in contact with the public by creating newsletters, postcards and an informational kiosk.

To read more about our previous project news releases and newsletters, click here.

To read more about our past meetings and comments, click here.

 

Public Hearing

A public hearing is a formal meeting where hearing officers listened and documented the public’s comments on the U.S. 95 Thorncreek Road to Moscow DEIS.

The public hearing for this project was held on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. located at:

 

Best Western Plus University Inn 
1516 Pullman Road 
Moscow, ID 83843
Click here for a map of the location

 

At the public hearing, you had the opportunity to:

  • Provide written comments or give verbal testimony to a public hearing officer about the DEIS.
  • Give comments during the open-microphone sessions held at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
  • Speak with the environmental and technical experts who conducted studies for the document.
  • Learn about the alternatives that were evaluated and their benefits and impacts.
  • Look at maps for each of the alternatives analyzed in the DEIS.

 

If you did not attend the hearing, you may send written comments to Adam Rush, ITD Public Involvement Coordinator:

U.S. Mail: PO Box 7129, Boise ID 83707-1129

Fax: (208) 334-8563

Email: [email protected]

All comments needed to be received by March 25, 2013.

Winter 2018/2019 Update

The Idaho Transportation Department continues to move forward with plans for the U.S. 95, Thorncreek Road to Moscow Project.

The final eastern route (E2) for the highway was chosen after a multi-year environmental review process. The Federal Highway Administration issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the project in 2016, giving ITD authority to begin final design and purchase land.

A legal motion was brought against FHWA and ITD in 2017 regarding the Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision. The U.S. District Court for Idaho ruled against the motion in favor of FHWA and ITD in August 2017.

Project opposition appealed that decision in January 2018. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the lower court’s decision on December 7, 2018.

ITD will continue right-of-way acquisition and submit a 404 permit application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After those two steps are completed, the project can be put out for construction bids. Work could begin as early as late summer 2019.

Please call Ken Helm at (208)799-5090 if you have any questions about the project.