Street improvement project pays off for safety

Based on traffic safety data, an intersection construction project paid off in Pocatello.

Improvements to the intersection of Benton Street and 2nd Avenue were completed in 2016.

Data compiled by the Pocatello Engineering and Police Departments indicates the number of crashes at the intersection were reduced by 91.67%.

Specifically, there were 12 accidents at the intersection in 2014 and 2015, but only one in 2017 and 2018. That one happened last August. The staff did not use 2016 in the comparison because it was the year of construction. (There were two crashes reported at the intersection in 2016.)

“The City of Pocatello takes the safety of its citizens very seriously and prior to starting the project, the intersection at Benton Street and 2nd Avenue was identified as one of the most dangerous intersections in Pocatello,” said Jeff Mansfield, Public Works Director/City Engineer. “The drastic decrease in accidents is proof that the improvements were a success.”

The cost of the improvement project was $359,000. Almost 93% of the cost was paid with federal sources and 7.34% by the city, through cash and in-kind contributions.