According to the Idaho Transportation Department Board meeting notes, a four lane highway from Ashton to SH 87 would cost up to $700,000,000 in today’s dollars. This is in contrast to an improved two lane that would cost about $100,000,000 according to JUB Engineers and be adequate until 2042. US 20 from Ashton to SH87 is a “seasonal” highway with higher traffic volume June to September. The traffic peaks in July and drops off in mid-August as schools reopen. The traffic volume is higher on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and during holiday weekends. During the day the traffic volume is higher for about 8 hours during the day and tapers off dramatically at night and during the early morning hours.
Let’s assume the information above is correct and calculate what percentage of the year that there is higher traffic volume on US 20, Ashton to SH 87. Starting with the higher traffic volume months, we see that the traffic is higher for 33% (4/12) of the year. Now if we look at the higher traffic days, we note that they are 42% (3/7) of the week. Turning to higher traffic hours, we note that the higher traffic hours are about 33% (8/24) of the day. So what percentage of the hours in a year do we have higher traffic volume on US 20? The answer is about 5% (33% X 42% X 33%)!! So ITD wants to spend $700,000,000 to build a four lane, high speed, limited access freeway through the Island Park Caldera to accommodate higher traffic volume for 5% of the year. This is truly insane. This money could be much better spent where the need is greater. ITD continues to put out the false information that higher traffic volume is causing more accidents. Analyze the accident data for yourself. This is not true! We may see a dramatic decrease in traffic volume if Yellowstone National Park implements a reservation system. Couple that with very high fuel prices and the impending recession, and traffic volume will likely decrease in the near term. Our District 31 legislators should ask ITD to pause all planning for this ill-advised project. JUB Engineers documentation shows that upgrading US 20 from Ashton to SH 87 to a “super” two lane will serve the public until 2042. In addition, the environmental damage will be greatly reduced, businesses along US 20 will not be affected, and the Island Park livability environment will be protected. Congestion at Elk Creek, Mack’s Inn, and Island Park Village can be addressed with stop lights. These stop lights could be turned off 95% of the year when traffic volume is lower. Now is the time for business owners along the highway to “stand tall” and be heard before their business is hurt.
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In October of 2019, JUB Engineers, Inc. completed a traffic analysis/report for US 20 from Sheep Falls to Island Park Lodge. This report was referred to as the “No Build Analysis”, Part 1. This report referred to Part 2 of the analysis which was to identify “build alternatives”. In layman’s terms, JUB was to identify design improvements to the current highway to improve the level of service (LOS). A member of the Island Park Preservation Coalition requested a copy of Part 2 of the report from the ITD project team, but after some time did not receive the document. The following explanation was received:
“ITD has searched their project files for the document you requested, and has not been able to find it. We are not trying to be difficult or hide anything, the report just isn’t in the files. You are welcome to arrange a time to come to ITD's office and look through the project's electronic files yourself. To formalize this request ITD asks that you file a formal public records request. I’m told the scope of work for JUB changed during the development phase of the project so that is likely the reason the document is not in the project files.” A public records request was submitted to the Idaho Transportation Department in Boise and Part 2 of the report was received in a couple of days. Part 2 was dated February 2020. Why should you care about any of this? Because Part 2 reveals that JUB had developed design alternatives/improvements for the current 2 lane highway in Island Park, that would improve the level service until the year 2042. The improvements included adding passing lanes, redesigning turn lanes and access points, and widening the shoulders to improve safety. The report did not reveal what level of service would be achieved by the improvements. However it did say that ITD required a level of service of B for this type of highway. It did reveal that money was limited and that improvements were prioritized. The report stated that accident numbers on this section of highway are below the state average. ITD did not reveal the information contained in Part 2, at any of the “public meetings”. Further the ITD Board approved the alternative solutions in their Board meeting in September 2019. “Adding passing lanes in these locations will fulfill the purpose and need of these projects to improve mobility along the corridor….” The solutions proposed by JUB are very similar to those proposed at an Island Park Community meeting on June 24, 2022. JUB estimates that the “full build” would cost about $105,619,000 in 2019 dollars. This is in sharp contrast to the estimate for ITD’s four lane alternative of up to $700,000,000! Seven times more taxpayer money. Your money! This price is documented in ITD Board meeting minutes. ITD continues their march toward a four lane while a two lane solution would provide an acceptable level of service through 2042. This would allow time for ITD to design (if needed) a two lane bypass “expressway” to Yellowstone that would totally avoid Island Park and preserve our community. This writer continues to be very concerned about ITD not sharing all of their available information with the public. This is a breach of trust that may never be repaired. |
Making Sense of It All
This blog will help you make sense out of all the information on the website, how it affects IP, our history, and how efforts continue to put IP into various forms of conservation status. Archives
May 2023
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