Bingham County takes public comment on dangerous intersection

The final concept for the Groveland Road and U.S. 26 intersection in Bingham County were up for public comment Wednesday night.

For three years, Bingham County searched for a solution to the badly shaped intersection, sometimes worsened by steam coming off the nearby potato plant. County Commissioner Ladd Carter thinks they’ve found a sound solution.

“We thought it was the least intrusive route,” said Carter. “The state owns part of where the new road would be, and we thought that would be a safer and better route.”

Scott Ellsworth, the federal aid manager for the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council said the new plan would close Groveland Road South of U.S. 26. It also calls for a new road, connecting Groveland to Worthen Road, which would lead to U.S. 26.

“You could only turn right onto Groveland Road, or come off Groveland Road and turn right on to Highway 26,” said Ellsworth.

That eliminates dangerous left turns, but may create new problems for nearby land and homeowners, like Chris Cannon.

Cannon lives on nearby Pioneer Road. He fears the new plan would create heavy truck traffic in his neighborhood, where he said several kids also live.

“I am just asking that we look at as many different impacts that we’re going to have,” said Cannon. “Not just at the intersection, but the surrounding community.”

The proposed concept would cost $2.5 million and construction would begin in 2019. Ellsworth said about 93 percent of the money would be federal dollars, and 7 percent would come from the county.

Until Feb. 25, those interested can give testimony on the Groveland Road Project by mail, fax or email to:

Public Involvement Coordinator
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, Idaho 83707
Fax: (208) 334-8563
Email: comments@itd.idaho.gov