Changes planned for major Pocatello intersection
A major intersection in Pocatello is looking to undergo major changes in 2017, and the city of Pocatello is looking for public comment on the proposed million-dollar changes.
Hiline Ave., Jefferson Ave., Alameda Road and Pocatello Creek Road have become congested with traffic, and the city of Pocatello is working with the Idaho Transportation Department to figure out the best solution.
Dierdre Castillo, city engineer, said there are two plans they are presenting to the public. She said while they both have their problems for some, changes need to happen for a number of reasons.
She explained the concept of one of the plans, 12A, includes spots and traffic lights for U-turns. The new system, called thru-turns, would be the first in the city and will not allow left turns onto Deon Drive, into Senior Iguanas and Common Cents.
The 12AS thru-turn system also restricts left turns at the intersection. If you want to go to Maverick or Common Cents and they’re on your left, you will need to cross the intersection from Jefferson to Hiline, go through the thru-turn and come back to take a right.
The city and the Idaho Transportation Department said despite how the turnarounds sound, traffic will flow well, as they are very popular in Utah and other states with more traffic than Pocatello.
“The people on Deon are going to have to take a U-turn someplace,” said Castillo, “because both of these alternatives have raised medians on all four legs, and they will prohibit left-hand turns.”
Castillo said this is part of plan 12A, which will be a lower cost compared to the second plan, 14A. However, both plans include completely moving Jefferson as it approaches the intersection, meaning they need to buy homes, the parking lot and playground of Tendoy Elementary.
“That’s just one of the factors of trying to decrease the number of crashes we have,” Castillo said. “Most of our crashes are right in front of East Alameda Road on Jefferson, and on Hiline around the gas station there.”
Plan 14A doesn’t have the thru-turn option, but does have left turns at the intersection. However, the raised medians will still be put in, meaning left turns into Senior Iguanas, Common Cents, Maverick, Deon Dr., E. Alameda Road and Ridley’s will still be limited. Drivers would need to access private business parking lots nearby to turn around.
Plan 14A also has a right-only turn lane from Jefferson to Pocatello Creek. That lane will continue up to the interstate without merging and without stopping at the light. But Castillo said that plan is more expensive and causes some safety concerns with the school nearby, as teachers will have to park and cross E. Alameda to get to Tendoy.
“If you’re driving you love the free-flowing right,” she said. “If you’re a pedestrian, don’t like them quite so much.”
Castillo said the public comment portion to this intersection is vital to figuring out what’s best for the traffic in the area. She said the city has already purchased the gravel lot across from the school, and both plans require purchasing part of the parking lot and playground of the school.
Depending on the plan, the city would need to purchase several homes and fourplexes, providing relocation assistance to those displaced. Castillo said that could prove problematic and get into eminent domain discussions if homeowners refuse to leave.
She said that’s why comments from the public are so vital, whether in person or written.
“And then those comments will be used for us to decide which path we should go forward with,” Castillo said.
Comments can be made at two informal hearings, one on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 12-2 p.m. and the other on Monday, Dec. 8 from 4-8 p.m.at Senior Iguanas. The formal public hearing will be Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 5-8 p.m. at Tendoy Elementary School. Castillo is also available for appointments at 234-6587.
The following is a large PDF document, detailing the research into the plans, including traffic patterns, residents impacted and why these two options are considered the best:http://www.pocatello.us/projects/documents/alameda-jefferson-city-council-briefing.pdf
This link is to view plan 12A, the lower-cost plan with the turn-thru’s: http://www.pocatello.us/projects/documents/alameda-jefferson-12a.pdf
This link is to view plan 14A, the higher-cost plan with a continuous right turn-only lane that will run from Jefferson up to the interstate off Pocatello Creek Road:http://www.pocatello.us/projects/documents/alameda-jefferson-14a.pdf
This link is to the city engineering : http://www.pocatello.us/projects/cp_alameda-jefferson.htm
