In anticipation of an upcoming comment period for state Highway 75 projects, the city of Ketchum is preparing a wish list to submit to the state highway department.
The Ketchum City Council Monday, Oct. 17, requested that city staff compile a list of potential projects for the section of highway between Elkhorn and Saddle roads. Those recommendations will be discussed at a special City Council meeting in November.
Idaho Transportation Department's Highway 75 draft environmental impact statement is expected to be released for public comment in the next month or two. ITD for several years has been studying ways to improve traffic flow on the highway from south of Bellevue to Ketchum. The plans have focused on widening parts of the highway to four lanes.
ITD has recommended a "no build" alternative for the aforementioned section of Highway 75 south of Ketchum, unless the city advises otherwise.
"They want to avoid the perception of forcing a decision," Ketchum City Planner Beth Callister said Thursday. "They want it to come from the city. They want to work with communities along Highway 75 to implement projects the community wants."
Projects such as bridges, turn lanes and bike and pedestrian improvements should be outlined so they can get in line for so-called GARVEE funds.
Project ideas could come from a 2004 transportation study conducted by the city.
"The city hasn't gone through and adopted any of the recommendations floating out there," Callister said. "This is a good opportunity to adopt some of those and get them in the pipeline."
If the city doesn't make recommendations, the "no build" alternative will go into effect. That option doesn't necessarily preclude future work on that section of highway, but obtaining funds for any project would be difficult.
"If 'no build' is in the record of decision, then the implication is no work would be done. So why would (ITD) allocate funds for it?" Callister posited.
Once the draft EIS is released, cities and the public will have a minimum of 45 days to comment on it.
The Idaho Transportation Department is studying ways to alleviate traffic congestion on state Highway 75 in the Wood River Valley. Traffic jams often occur in the middle of the valley, near the highway's intersection with East Fork Road. Express photo by Chris Pilaro
