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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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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