Bannock Transportation asking for public input on new metropolitan transportation plan

Bannock Transportation Planning Organization is asking for public input on a new Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

The plan includes 46 projects, located all across Pocatello and Chubbuck, as far north as Tyhee Road.

BTPO is accepting comments until Aug. 30 via an online commenting map which can be viewed here.

“BTPO is evaluating the proposed highway project, which is divided into seven performance categories,” the online commenting map read. “The project will assist BTPO in meeting our performance targets. ”

This is the second round of public input. One adjustment that had to be made to the 20 year plan is due to the Northgate interchange on I-15.

“The last plan when we did a scenario process, we looked at different ways to grow. That was included but we didn’t think it would occur until 2030, 2035,” said Mori Byington, the planning director of BTPO. “Now that it has occurred, we had to readdress where we allocate population and employment to meet those needs of the Northgate.”

The proposed projects include allocating three buffered bike lanes on Hiline Road, Center Street and Bannock Highway.