Greenhorn Bridge project changes
ITD says revisions won’t impact environmental process
By KEVIN WISER
Express Staff Writer
The Idaho Transportation Department yesterday announced revisions to the
Greenhorn Bridge project dealing mainly with configuration of lane design extending from
the bridge and exit and access lanes.
The project includes replacement of the aging bridge and improvements
along Highway 75 extending from Alturas Drive to Timber Way.
Revisions, according Devin Rigby, ITD’s Shoshone-based district
engineer, include:
Construction of a bicycle/pedestrian tunnel at East Fork
Road to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Highway access improvements at East Fork Road and the new Greenhorn
Gulch Road.
Provision for safe access to existing public and private approaches
to the highway between East Fork and Ohio Gulch.
A center turn lane as needed from Starweather to Timber Way except
across the bridge.
A continuous northbound passing lane from Ohio Gulch through the
East Fork intersection transitioning to the existing one lane near Timber Way.
Two southbound lanes extending from the existing two southbound
lanes north of Timber Way through the East Fork intersection transitioning to one lane
before the existing Greenhorn intersection.
An 8-foot turning shoulder south of the East Fork intersection to
Starweather.
ITD officials recently announced the Greenhorn Bridge project will begin
this fall.
Replacing the bridge is seen by highway officials and commuters as a key
step toward relieving traffic congestion on busy Highway 75.
The ITD’s plans for this stretch of highway and the environmental
study that concluded that the project would not have an adverse affect on the environment
has been met with concern by the City of Ketchum and the Citizens Transportation
Coalition.
The two entities have contended that the approval of a five-lane highway
throughout the Greenhorn project would prejudice the environmental process for the
remaining Highway 75 corridor.
However, according to a letter from district engineer Rigby, the design
revisions are being implemented to minimize environmental impacts while addressing traffic
safety and congestion needs.
"While improving safety and reducing congestion within the project
limits, the revised project design will not prejudice future decisions under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process," Rigby wrote.
Rigby’s letter and attachments, including a drawing of the proposed
new bridge, were e-mailed to media.
In May, the ITD announced that it would go forward with plans to construct
a 64-foot bridge that will accommodate two-lanes of northbound and one-lane of southbound
traffic. According to Rigby, the bridge will be adaptable to any future reasonable and
prudent improvements.
Rigby was not available to comment on his letter. However, ITD senior
environmental planner Charles Carnohan said in a telephone interview that the ITD
concluded that five-lanes are not required to meet the needs of the Greenhorn project.
Carnohan said a two-lane highway with passing and turning opportunities
was sufficient to meet safety and congestion needs.
