There will be a public hearing on October 14th in the Moscow City Hall Chambers
from noon to 2:00 pm. on Highway 95. Senator Gary Schroeder, Rep. Maynard
Miller,and I have been working closely with Sen. Evan Frasure, Chairman, of the
Senate Transportation Committee, to plan and facilitate the hearing. A
summarized press release outlining the focus of the hearing is presented below.
SENATE COMMITTEE TO HOLD HIGHWAY 95 HEARINGS
The State Senate Transportation Committee is finalizing plans to tour the length
of Highway 95 with stops in several communities along the route to hear
citizens' concerns and ideas on what to do with Idaho's major north-south
highway. Members of the Senate Transportation Committee, Transportation
Department officials and engineers and other state elected officials will
take part in the Highway 95 tour.
The tour starts on Monday, October 13 near the Canadian border, with public
comment sessions planned that day for Bonners Ferry,Sandpoint, and Coeur
d'Alene. On Tuesday hearings will be held in Moscow and Lewiston.
Grangeville and McCall will host the tour group on Wednesday. The tour
continues on Thursday with stops in Council, Emmett and Weiser. The trip
concludes on Friday witha public hearing in Boise.
Senate Transportation Committee Chair, Evan Frasure, Pocatello, says the
tour and hearing will fulfill a promise he made after House Bill 277 failed
last
session in his committee. The bill proposed the use of bonds to fund
reconstruction and improvements of the highway. "A number of significant
questions were raised about the bonding bill that kept it from passing.
However, I committed to work with all parties concerned to see what might
be done for this critically important highway. This tour will allow us to
hear from local officials and taxpayers along the route about what should
be done and how it could be financed," said Frasure.
Some options that may be discussed during the meetings include a propposal
offered by Senator Jack Riggs, Coeur d' Alene, which would set certain
minimum standards and bypasses around several jurisdictions. Other options
to be considered by the committee is to improve the highway through the
current ITD prioritization and budgeting process; approval of bonding
legislation for Highway 95; approval of bonding legislation for several
highways around the state; and, state matching funds to counties for
highway improvements. Highway
95 stretches 538.5 miles from north to south.
Senator Jack Riggs has developed an overall plan for Highway 95.
Focus: 1) public safety 2) statewide access 3) economic stability and
growth
Plan: Basic reconstruction: 1) two lane upgrade 2) 34 - 36 increase
minimum width 3) straighter and wider from Canada to Boise
Passing lanes: 1) three lane segments--every four miles minimum
High traffic segments: 1) four lanes - undivided except bridges--
Sandpoint to Plummer, Lewiston to Moscow, and Emmett to Boise
New routes: 1) Sandpoint byopass (Sand Creek) 2) Moscow bypass (west)
3) Grangeville (cutoff) 4) Indian Valley route
Funding: Three options being developed
I believe the majority of Latah County citizens view an improved Highway 95
as important to Moscow and Latah County in terms of our continued economic
vitality. Increased safety concerns along the entire length of the highway
are essential to the citizens who travel this route. Please take advantage
and attend this public hearing.
Rep. Tom Trail
District 5
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
2039 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel: (208) 882-6077
Fax: (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail@moscow.com