COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho —
The Idaho Transportation Department is studying I-90 from state line to Coeur d’Alene. The department wants to reduce crashes and save drivers time in an area expected to double in traffic volume by 2045.
"This study is looking at what we need to do to keep up with growth," Megan Jahns, an ITD spokesperson said.
Jahns said 15th Street interchange off I-90 in Coeur d'Alene sees a lot of demand. The department anticipates traffic will only get more congested in its current design.
“Our traffic modeling shows, that the more cars that are using this in the future, they will take more time to get off of the freeway to get on the street," Jahns said. "In the meantime cars will back up onto I-90 which you don’t want to see stopped cars in the middle of the freeway.”
Tuesday, the department held an open house to talk about the 15th Street interchange.
"We shared our preferred design at this point and how we got to that design by showing them some other alternatives," Jahns said. "We were showing people how the ramps would be changed and how that could impact their commutes to and from places."
Now until April 4, the department is continuing to take public feedback and comment on its website.
Jahns said the study is still in its design phases and no funding has been identified for construction at the interchange.
The department said it will host another open house to continue conversations with the community later summer 2023.
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