Proposed I-11 could come to Idaho

Local News 8 has learned the proposed Interstate 11 could cross portions of Idaho.

The interstate would connect Phoenix to Las Vegas before traveling north through the western U.S. into Canada.

Idaho Transportation Department officials met with Montana transportation officials Wednesday to discuss the possibility of the interstate entering Idaho, which they say would indirectly help Montana’s economy.

Two potential routes are currently being eyed: one would follow US 93 north through the Twin Falls area while the other would follow US 95 near Boise.

Neither of the proposed routes would go further north than I-84.

“We feel that coming to a corridor that would intersect I-84 would give motorists and haulers the greatest opportunity to be able to make a decision to go to the east and pick up I-15 for north access to Canada as well as access on I-84 which will give you direct routes into Seattle and Portland,” said Jim Carpenter, chief operations officer of ITD.

A proposal recently approved by the state of Nevada has I-11 bypassing Idaho entirely.

ITD officials cautioned that discussions concerning I-11 are strictly preliminary.