Targhee Pass analysis released

The Idaho Transportation Department does not support construction of wildlife crossings and fencing as improvements for the U.S. 20 corridor on Targhee Pass.

The department has completed an environmental assessment (EA) and scheduled a public hearing January 17. The Targhee Pass EA evaluates the risks, benefits, opportunities and costs associated with reconstruction of the road between State Highway 87 and the Montana state line.

“ITD looked at a number of possible alternatives to improve roadway structural integrity, traffic flow and safety of the Targhee Pass segment of U.S. 20, and identified Alternative 3 as the preferred alternative,” said ITD project manager Derek Noyes. “ITD encourages the public to review the findings in the EA and welcomes stakeholder feedback on the document at the public hearing or any time between now and February 1,, 2019.”

Alternative 3 calls for construction of an additional travel lane in the uphill direction, shoulder widening from 5 feet to 8 feet, a hill cut to improve stopping sight-distance, left and right turn-lanes into Big Horn Hills Estates entrances, tree clearing to reduce shading, and road sub-surface reconstruction and drainage improvements.

The alternative would also include installation of an animal detection system throughout the 4-mile segment of US 20. The system would alert drivers to the presence of animals.

You can see the full EA here.

The January 17 public hearing is set from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Island Park EMS Building, 4124 County Circle Road, in Island Park.