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

Comment Period

Public comment period extended for U.S. 95, Thorncreek to Moscow Draft Environmental Impact Statement

BOISE – A public comment period for a proposed U.S. 95 project south of Moscow has been extended from Feb. 23 to March 25, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.

The Federal Highway Administration and Idaho Transportation Department decided to extend the comment period after learning from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Environmental Protection Agency that the agencies did not receive the Draft Environmental Impact Statement until mid-February.

As the extension is needed to meet the requirement that Fish and Game and the EPA have enough time to review the DEIS, it was decided the comment period would be extended for the public as well.

Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to: Office of Communications, P.O. Box 7129, Boise, ID  83707-1129.

To view the DEIS, please visit https://us95thorncreek.com/.

The Idaho Transportation Department is responsible for all highways on the State Highway System – interstates, state highways and U.S. routes. All other roads are under the jurisdiction of the local, city or county entity.

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.