ITD seeks public input on US-20 improvement project west of Idaho Falls

Transportation planners with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) are inviting residents of eastern Idaho to weigh in on a major improvement planned for U.S. Highway 20 west of Idaho Falls. The agency announced that it will host a community open house on Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Snake River Event Center (780 Lindsay Blvd. in Idaho Falls) from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to show preliminary designs for the project and gather public feedback. Officials say the open house format will allow people to drop in at their convenience, review displays, and talk directly with designers and engineers.

The proposed project would widen U.S. 20 to two lanes in each direction between the current end of the four‑lane highway near Idaho Falls and the 115th East/Lewisville Highway interchange. In addition to adding capacity, the plan includes new interchanges at 55th West and the Ucon area, eliminating existing at‑grade crossings. ITD says the improvements will enhance safety and reduce congestion for the roughly 27,000 vehicles that use the route each day. “We want to provide a modern highway that can accommodate future growth and improve travel times for commuters, freight haulers and tourists,” project officials said.

During the Sept. 4 open house, ITD staff will explain the design alternatives, environmental considerations and funding. Attendees will be able to provide written comments and ask questions about topics such as property impacts, access changes and construction phasing. The department will also accept comments online through Sept. 15 for those unable to attend in person. Feedback received will help refine the preferred alternative ahead of final design.

According to ITD, the U.S. 20 improvements are made possible through Idaho’s Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation program, which leverages federal grant dollars and state funds to accelerate priority highway projects. If the design and environmental work stay on schedule, construction on the first segment could begin as early as next summer and continue in phases over several years. The agency expects the corridor upgrades to improve safety, support economic development and provide a more reliable route for Idaho’s growing population.

Residents interested in learning more or providing comments can visit the project web page at itdprojects.idaho.gov and click on “U.S. 20/64th North to 115th East.” ITD encourages attendees to arrive early, as a short presentation outlining the project will begin at 5 p.m. and repeats at 6 p.m. Translators will be available on request. This open house is one of several community outreach efforts that ITD will host as it moves toward finalizing plans for the U.S. 20 corridor upgrade.