Council clears Ustick Road widening agreements and authorizes up to $1.9 million for right-of-way acquisition

The City of Nampa on Jan. 7 approved two items to advance the Ustick Road Widening project (Phyllis Canal to Owyhee Storm): (1) an interagency cooperative agreement among the City of Nampa, Canyon County and Ada County Highway District to receive grant and partnering authority, and (2) authorization for public works to negotiate right‑of‑way acquisitions for the project in an amount not to exceed $1,902,340.

Council discussion focused on funding sources and specific intersection designs. Public‑works staff told the council that the city has FY2025 impact‑fee spending authority of $2,510,000 for the corridor; about $1,012,000 of that remained unencumbered after prior commitments. Staff said the city had obtained the grant money (via the interagency agreement) and that the $1.9 million request represented an all‑in estimate to acquire necessary parcels for the south half of the corridor.

Council members also asked about whether intersections along the corridor would be signals or roundabouts. Staff said a corridor study had recommended both signals and roundabouts at various locations; the city is planning a signal at Ustick and Star to allow traffic‑management‑center integration and to expedite schedule for that segment. To the west (toward Midland) staff said roundabouts are more likely; to the east signals are expected to integrate with Franklin and McDermott.

Council approved the interagency agreement and the not‑to‑exceed right‑of‑way authorization by roll call without recorded dissent.