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Congress awards grant for U.S. 95 upgrades |
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September 8, 2016 |
The United States Congress has approved an award
of $5.1 million for upcoming U.S. 95 north
corridor access improvements. The FASTLANE grant
was announced by the United States Department of
Transportation this summer, with the requirement
of congressional approval. The grant represents
a significant portion of the estimated $8.5
million that the improvements are estimated to
cost.
“We are very thankful for the award of this
grant,” said ITD District 1 Business Operations
Manager Scotty Fellom. “It will enable a
much-needed improvement for the increase of
movement and assurance of continued safe travel
in this highly congested portion of the U.S. 95
corridor through Coeur d’Alene and the
surrounding area.”
The U.S. 95 access-improvements project was one
of only 18 projects selected nationwide from
more than 200 submissions.
In the 8.4-mile portion of U.S. 95 stretching
from the junction with Interstate 90 to the
junction with Idaho 53, a handful of traffic
signals will be removed to maximize spacing,
many cross-street entrances and exits eliminated
for safety, timing adjusted for the 16 traffic
signals in the corridor, and turning radius
modified at many intersections. The result will
be a shorter delay and quicker travel for the
overall system and for commercial trucks headed
north or south, reduction of cross-street
delays, and reduction of vehicle conflict points
for greater overall safety.
ITD will be the project sponsor for the
multi-agency effort, which will also involve the
cities of Coeur d’Alene and Hayden, and the
Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization.
“This series of projects are essential to the
long-term viability of the U.S. 95 corridor
providing access and mobility for freight,
commerce, economic development and the citizens
of this region,” KMPO Executive Director Glenn
Miles said in the application for the grant. |
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