ITD debuts new Sagle highway plan

SAGLE — Residents packed Sagle Elementary School’s gymnasium Wednesday to view Idaho Transportation Department’s newest plan for expanding a six-mile section of U.S. 95. 

The proposed concept would create a four-lane divided highway from Lakeshore Drive to Dufort Road flanked by frontage roads on either side. A pair of interchanges would be installed at Brisboys and Dufort roads to connect locals with the main roadway, and a shared-use bike/walking path would run the length of the corridor. 

ITD is currently performing an environmental reevaluation of the area and is years away from constructing any kind of expansion. According to the department, current accident rates and congestion are driving a need for a change, along with anticipated growth and the traffic that comes with it. 

As ITD plans the expansion, the department is gathering feedback to inform its decision. Ultimately, the department must balance the needs of U.S. 95’s 2,400 commercial vehicles that pass through the corridor each day with those of residents and local business owners.

“That's really the purpose of why we're out here doing this, is to get that individual perspective from people,” said Heather McDaniel, ITD public information officer, at the Wednesday event. 

ITD hosted a similar event in November 2023 featuring a variety of potential designs. The plan shared at Wednesday’s open house emerged as ITD’s preferred concept. 

“I think people are appreciating seeing that their input actually mattered in helping shape some of those design decisions,” McDaniel said. “I've gotten a lot of people who have said, ‘I had suggested that change, and I see that it has been made.’” 

Some residents have expressed concern that the proposed expansion will cut across local properties and cause through traffic to bypass Sagle’s businesses. Throughout the expansion project, some locals have said they want ITD to install traffic lights or roundabouts to improve safety and congestion in the area rather than expand the highway. 

Additionally, some worry the two-lane Long Bridge on the north end of the six-mile sector will act as a bottleneck and prevent the proposed expansion from being effective. 

Before ITD can break ground on the expansion, it will need to complete the environmental reevaluation, secure funding, finalize the design and purchase the necessary right of way — a years-long process. 

Stakeholders can submit comments about the design until the end of October on the online website at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/us-95-dufort-to-lakeshore or by emailing info@us95duforttolakeshore.org. 

Detailed information for the October 2024 preferred concept including maps, FAQs, and a timeline is available on the website.

    IDT Project Manager Phil Stout, pictured right, speaks with a resident at the Oct. 16 event.